Kathleen A. Hoffman
Kathleen A. Hoffman
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
Address:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore MD 21250
Department:  Mathematics and Statistics
Phone: (410) 455-2434
Fax: (410) 455-1066
E-mail: khoffman@math.umbc.edu

Kathleen A. Hoffman (nee Rogers) has been with the Mathematics and Statistics department at UMBC since 1999. Before joining UMBC, Kathleen was a postdoctoral member of the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) from 1997-1999 during the theme years of Emerging Applications of Dynamical Systems and Mathematical Biology. She received her Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1997, and her dissertation was directed by John H. Maddocks.

Kathleen's research interests include stability theory for constrained calculus of variations problems and bifurcation theory for multiple timescale systems. Her dissertation research focused on the development of two particular tests for stability of solutions to variational problems: distinguished diagram theory and conjugate point theory. She used these tests to determine the stability of an elastic loop, a well-known model for DNA minicircles. Since then, she and her collaborators, John Maddocks, Rob Manning , Randy Paffenroth , and Fadil Santosa have used permutations of this theory to understand the stability of three-dimensional elastic struts, welding and clamping of sheet metal, and multiple-covered circles with inherent curvature.

Kathleen's interest in multiple timescale systems developed during her postdoctoral years at the IMA. Along with her collaborators, John Guckenheimer and Warren Weckesser , she has developed a theory of global bifurcations of systems with two time scales, using the forced van der Pol equation as a model system. These bifurcations are intricately connected to the canard solutions of the system.

Kathleen is a member of the Society for Applied Mathematics (SIAM) and the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) . She is also an active member of several campus organizations including the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) group and the Neuro and Cognitive Science (NACS) Program. Kathleen has been an active supporter of women in math, participating and organizing several programs designed to encourage women to pursue a career in mathematics.

Research Interests:

Recent Papers:

  • K. Hoffman, Distinguish Bifurcation Diagrams for Isoperimetric Calculus of Variations Problems and the Stability of a Twisted Elastic Loop, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, accepted for publication.
     
  • K.A. Hoffman, Methods for Determining Stability in Continuum Elastic Rod Models of DNA , Phil. Trans. Roy.Soc., 362(1820) p. 1301-1315, 2004. [pdf][ abstract]
     
  • K. Bold, C. Edwards, J. Guckenheimer, K. Hoffman, R. Oliva, W. Weckesser, The forced van der Pol Equation II: Canards in the Reduced System, SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems} , 2(4), 570-608, 2003[pdf][ abstract]
     
  • K.A. Hoffman, J.H. Maddocks, and R.Manning, Biological Interpretations of Bifurcation Digrams for DNA Loops, Biopolymers, vol.70, no 2, p.145-157, 2003. [ pdf ] [ abstract]
     
  • K. Hoffman and F. Santosa, A Simple Model of Sheet Metal Assembly, SIAM Review, vol 45 No 3, 558-573, YEAR. [pdf] [ abstract]
     
  • Complete Publication List

Collaborators:

Teaching:  

Full CV

Maintained by: Kathleen A. Hoffman (khoffman@math.umbc.edu).