I'm a graduate student in the Department of Mathematics at North Carolina State University, planning to graduate with a Ph.D. in computational applied mathematics in July 2008!
As an applied mathematician, I'm particularly interested in applications of mathematical biology and in computational techniques to solve equations. My research is on the mathematical modeling of articular cartilage tissue (the stuff that insulates knees and other joints), and a primary aim is to understand how cartilage changes with the onset of osteoarthritis. For my dissertation, I'm developing an axisymmetric boundary element method for modeling fluid-solid cartilage mechanics.
In the summer of 2007 I was awarded an AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship, and was sponsored by SIAM to write math and science stories for the general public at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel daily newspaper for ten weeks. It was awesome! Check out the stories I wrote here.
Read below to find out more about me, such as:
Education
- At NC State University in Raleigh, NC, I'm working towards a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, with a concentration in Computational Mathematics, which I expect to receive by July 2008. My dissertation topic is "An axisymmetric boundary integral equation method for modeling biphasic articular cartilage mechanics," which is done under the guidance of my advisor Dr. Mansoor Haider.
- In Dec 2005 I received an M.S. in Applied Mathematics, with a concentration in Computational Mathematics, from NC State.
- I earned a B.A. in Mathematics, with double minors in Physics and Chemistry, from Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA, in May 2002.
- I spent the fall semester of my senior year abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. I arrived in the UK on September 8, 2001... It turned out to be an interesting and unique semester for a multitude of reasons, and, despite all the turmoil, I had one of the best times of my life.
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Fellowships and Research Support
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Teaching Experience
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, NC State University (May 2005-May 2007)
I've taught my own undergraduate sections of:
- Tutor, Individualized Learning Center, Wake Technical Community College, Garner, NC (Aug 2006-Dec 2007)
I tutored students in math courses ranging from basic algebra to differential equations, as well as statistics, physics, chemistry and Excel-based math courses.
- Physics Workshop Facilitator, Academic Mastery Program, Occidental College (Aug 1999-May 2000)
I created worksheets and conducted weekly workshops for students wanting extra help with the introductory mechanics and electromagnetics physics courses.
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Research Experience
- Graduate Research Assistant, NC State University (Aug 2005-present)
My research is on multiphasic continuum mechanical models for chondron deformation in articular cartilage, and axisymmetric boundary integral equation methods for biphasic cartilage mechanics.
- Graduate Student Assistant, REU program, NC State University (Summer 2006)
I mentored three undergraduate students on a project titled "A mechano-chemical model for chondron deformation in articular cartilage subjected to osmotic loading."
- Graduate Research Assistant, NC State University (June 2002-May 2005)
I've studied proper orthogonal decomposition methods applied to an electromagnetic eddy-current inverse problem for crack detection in a metal, and I got to conduct an eddy-current experiment to collect data at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.
- Lab Technician, Center for Research in Scientific Computation, Raleigh, NC (Aug 2002-July 2004)
I maintained four experimental setups in heat conduction, beam vibration and control, harmonic motion and acoustic waves.
- Undergraduate Summer Research Assistant, Occidental College
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Publications
- B. A. Benedict and M. A. Haider, "An axisymmetric boundary integral equation method for modeling biphasic cartilage mechanics," (in preparation)
- B. Benedict, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- "Fishy behavior" (August 20, 2007)
- "Making an impression" (August 6, 2007)
- "Math adds up to better grades" (July 26, 2007)
- "Dirt boosts prion disease, study says" (July 11, 2007)
- "Neutron stars show their power, efficiency" (July 9, 2007)
- "Warnings grow as wild parsnip is flowering" (July 5, 2007)
- "State ranks high in teen car fatalities" (July 2, 2007)
- "Sudoku flexes math muscles" (June 26, 2007)
- "Proteins mop up mine's metals" (June 25, 2007)
- "Super-rare warbler is nesting in Wisconsin" (June 24, 2007)
- B. Benedict, "Modeling alcoholism as a contagious disease: How 'infected' drinking buddies spread problem drinking," SIAM News (April 2007)
- B. Benedict, et al., "Energy consumption and interference in the BART system," 2002 Industrial Mathematics Modeling Workshop for Graduate Students, CRSC Tech. Rep. CRSC-TR03-37, NC State University (Sept 2003)
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Presentations and Workshops
- Seminar talks, Applied Mathematics Graduate Student Seminar, NC State University (2002-present)
- Invited participant, 2007 Workshop for Young Researchers in Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Biosciences Institute; Columbus, OH (Mar 2007)
- Minisymposium talk, Joint SIAM / SMB Conference on the Life Sciences; Raleigh, NC (Aug 2006)
- Selected poster participant, AWM Workshop, SIAM Annual Meeting; Portland, OR (July 2004) [AWM_poster.pdf (4.43MB)]
- Invited presentation to 10th grade math class, Middle Creek High School; Raleigh, NC (Apr 2004)
- Mentor, SAMSI/CRSC Undergraduate Workshop at NC State University; Raleigh, NC (June 2003)
- Invited talks, Laboratoire J.L. Lions, Universitè de Paris VI; Paris, France (Mar 2004, Apr 2003)
- Participant, 2002 Industrial Mathematical Modeling Workshop for Graduate Students, NC State University; Raleigh, NC (July 2002)
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Professional Service and Leadership
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Some of my favorite things
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Last modified: December 31, 2007
