Industrial Math Modeling Center

Understanding the stability, motion, and re-centering of contact lenses on eyes is essential to improving lens performance and comfort. Hydrogel lenses deform to conform to the eye. When a lens is on the eye it rides on a thin lubrication layer of tear fluid. Elastic stressed in the deformed lens induce a pressure distribution—the suction pressure distribution—in the tear film.

IMMC mathematicians have developed models of the suction pressure distribution in the tear film and its dependence on the shape and the material properties of the contact lens, and of the re-centering motion of a lens that has been perturbed by a blink. We are developing a model of the effect of the distortion of the eye by the suction pressure distribution on that distribution.

Research Members:

Evan Rysdam, RIT student, Computer Science BS and Applied Math BS programs                Profile Page

Rachael Thormann, RIT student, Computer Science MS program                                              Profile Page

Research Member:

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, IMMC mathematicians are working with Rochester Regional Health, modeling the spread and evolution of the disease in Monroe County and elsewhere; the purpose of the modeling is to help hospital system administrators understand the trajectory of the epidemic so that they can be prepared to treat victims.

Research Members:

In collaboration with administrators at Rochester Regional Health

IMMC Mathematicians work with scientists at Merck developing and applying a model of the cell signaling pathways involved in maintaining bone. Bone remodeling is an ongoing process: the actions of osteoclasts, cells that degrade bone, and those of osteoblasts, cells that build bone, combine to maintain the skeleton. When a person’s degradation process outstrips his or her building process, that person has osteoporosis. Our model captures the basic biochemistry of bone remodeling; we use it to understand the mechanisms of various osteoporosis treatments and to study dosages and combination therapies. 

Research Members:

In collaboration with researchers at Amgen and Merck

Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) are monoclonal antibodies that fight cancer—particularly leukemia and lymphoma—by promoting the cytotoxic effects of the body’s immune system. IMMC mathematicians are working with scientists at Amgen to model the mechanisms by which BiTEs act.

Research Members:

Bridget Torsey, grad student in the Mathematical Modeling PhD program                                Profile Page

In collaboration with Khamir Mehta of Amgen

Vasodilators, medications that relax and widen blood vessels, are used to treat pulmonary hypertension. IMMC mathematicians are developing a mathematical model of the effects of vasodilation on the coupled fluid and solid mechanics of blood flow in the cardiopulmonary system.

Research Members:

Jordana O'Brien, grad student in the Mathematical Modeling PhD program                                Profile Page

In collaboration with Antonio Cabal of Merck

IMMC Mathematicians work with the marketing team at internet start-up KidsOutandAbout.com modeling market penetration over time. KOAA runs websites dedicated to activities for parents and children in dozens of cities. They use our models in deciding which new cities to expand to, when to do those expansions, and how to manage them.

Research Member:

In collaboration with Kidsoutandabout.com

Research Members:

John Hamilton, Research Professor                                                                                          Profile Page
 

In collaboration with Nirmala Shenoy, RIT Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Curtain coating is used in lots of manufacturing process, from the assembly-line painting of machine parts through the coating of chemically-sensitized coatings on slides for medical test to the coating of frosting on glazed doughnuts. IMMC mathematicians develop models to study the wave structure in coating curtains and more generally the mechanics and stability of such curtains.

Research Members:

Bridget Torsey, RIT grad student, Mathematical Modeling PhD program
Research Scientist at Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics                                                                        Profile Page

Text here about this project.

Research Members: 

Michael Cromer, Associate Professor                                                                                    (585) 475-4078, mec2sma@rit.edu                                                                                       IMMC Resume 

John Hamilton, Research Professor                                                                                      Profile Page

Pancy Lwin, RIT grad student, Mathematical Modeling PhD program                                   (808) 725-0872, ptl1411@rit.edu                                                                                       Profile Page: IMMC Resume 

Jordana O’Brien, RIT grad student, Mathematical Modeling PhD program                               Profile Page: IMMC Resume 

Evan Rysdam, RIT student, Computer Science BS and Applied Math BS programs             Profile Page

Bridget Torsey, RIT grad student, Mathematical Modeling PhD program
Research Scientist at Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics                                                                       Profile Page: IMMC Resume