Michigan State University researcher Yingda Cheng is among 40 standout mathematics leaders across the United States this year to be awarded a 2018 Simons Fellowship in Mathematics, giving her time off from classroom teaching to solely concentrate on her research.
Cheng, an associate professor who is jointly appointed in the mathematics department and the computational mathematics, science and engineering department, or CMSE, is working on cutting-edge research on discontinuous Galerkin methods with applications to semiconductor device simulations, plasma physics and nonlinear optics.
The Simons Foundation provides funds to faculty members to take time off in an effort to promote a deeper understanding of the world by advancing the frontiers of research in mathematics and basic sciences.
“I am really delighted and honored to receive this fellowship from the Simons Foundation,” Cheng said. “With this award, I will be able to have a more productive sabbatical leave by participating in the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute program, visiting my collaborators, wrapping up several research projects and elevating my current research scope.”
Cheng, who received her doctorate from Brown University, focuses her research on scientific computing and applied mathematics. She joined MSU in 2011, after completing work as a postdoctorate fellow and instructor at the University of Texas at Austin in the department of mathematics and the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences.
“We develop and analyze numerical methods for solving partial differential equations in the modeling of semiconductor device simulations, plasma physics, nonlinear optics, etc.,” Cheng said. “Accurate and efficient simulations are key to the understanding of those physical systems and mathematics plays a vital role in the design of numerical schemes.”
Keith Promislow, mathematics department chair, said Cheng’s aptitude allows her to recruit outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, who in turn contribute to the vitality of MSU’s mathematics research environment.
“Yingda’s prestigious Simons Fellowship recognizes her stature as an internationally recognized mathematician and shows that the department of mathematics continues to build its research strength in computational mathematics through partnerships with CMSE,” Promislow said.
For a complete list of 2018 Simons Fellows in Mathematics awardees, visit here.