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Joanna Bieri
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Redlands
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Joanna Bieri

Joanna Bieri Ph.D.

Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics
Economics

About

My favorite thing about being an applied mathematician is that I am constantly exploring new application areas and learning new things. Thus, my research interests are extremely varied. My PhD work, funded by NASA, consisted of developing mathematical models for edge-flames in microgravity and numerical solutions to these nonlinear partial differential equations. This work studied how flames confined to small spaces have extinction and re-ignition patterns along the flame chamber. After joining the University of Redlands, I started working in ecological modeling as part of a group supported by the National Institute for Modeling Biological Systems. This work was focused on quantifying the value of migrating animals as the cross geographic boundaries with a focus on developing conservation and management plans. We developed code for generalized mathematical models and metrics that can be used widely by USGS scientists. My most recent interests are in the areas of machine learning and data science. This work started as an effort to provide my students data-focused learning in class but quickly expanded. As the faculty lead for data science on campus, I developed a Bachelor of Arts in Data Science in 2024. My interests are varied, but they include analyzing high-dimensional data, autoencoders, and transformers.

Education

  • Ph.D., Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University
  • M.S., Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University
  • B.S., Math and Physics, Northern Arizona University

Professional Background

  • Adjunct Researcher, Center for Communications Research, LaJolla CA, summers 2020-present
  • Lecturer, Northwestern University , Evanston IL 2008-2009
  • Research Assistant - NASA Fellowship, Northwestern University, Evanston IL 2005-2008
  • Consultant - GCRCsim, Grans Canyon National Park, AZ, 2003-2004

Publications

Quantifying the contribution of habitats and pathways to a spatially structured population facing environmental change. C. Sample, J.A. Bieri, B. Allen, Y. Dementieva, A. Carson, C. Higgens, S. Piatt, S. Qiu, S. Stafford (U of R Undergraduate), B.J. Mattsson, D.J. Semmens, J.E. Diffendorfer, W.E. Thogmartin. American Naturalist 2020 (Refereed Journal)

 

Quantifying source and sink habitats and pathways in spatially structured populations: a generalized modeling approach. C. Sample, J.A. Bieri, B. Allen, Y. Dementieva, A. Carson, C. Higgens, S. Piatt, S. Qiu, S. Stafford (U of R Undergraduate), B.J. Mattsson, D.J. Semmens, W.E. Thogmartin, J.E. Diffendorfer. Ecological Modeling 2019 (Refereed Journal) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.06.003.

 

A guide to calculating habitat-quality metrics to inform conservation of highly mobile species J.A. Bieri, C. Sample, W.E. Thogmartin, J.E. Diffendorfer, J.E. Earl, R.A. Erikson, P. Federico, DTT Flockhart, S. Nicol, D. Semmens, T. Skraber, R. Wiederholt, B.J. Mattsson. Natural Resource Modeling 2018 (Refereed Journal) https://doi.org/10.1111/nrm.12156.

 

A General Modeling Framework for Describing Spatio-temporal Population Dynamics C. Sample, J. Fryxell, J.A. Bieri, P Federico, J. Earl, R. Wiederhold, B. Mattsson, T. Flockhart, S. Nicol, J. Diffendorfer, W. Thogmartin, R. Erickson, R. Norris. Ecology and Evolution 2017 (Refereed Journal) https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3685.

 

Defining and Classifying Migratory Habitats as Sources and Sinks: The Migratory Pathway Approach, R.A. Erikson, J.E. Diffendorfer, D.R. Norris, J.A. Bieri, J.E. Earl, P. Fedrico, J.M. Fryxell, K.R. Long, B.J. Mattsson, C. S. Sample, R. Wiederholt, W.E. Thogmartin. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2017. (Refereed Journal) https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12952.

 

Edge Flames Stabilized in a Nonpremixed Microcombustor, J.A. Bieri and M. Matalon, Combustion Theory and Modeling, 2011. (Refereed Journal)

 

Awards and service

  • Outstanding Service Award at The University of Redlands Spring 2021
  • Nominated for Mortar Board Professor of the Year at The University of Redlands Fall 2020
  • Salzburg Faculty Teaching Fellow at The University of Redlands Fall 2018
  • Proposal Writing Faculty Fellow at The University of Redlands 2016
  • Outstanding Teaching Award at The University of Redlands 2015
  • University of Redlands Faculty Research Grant 2012-2013
  • Outstanding Teaching Award at The University of Redlands 2011
  • Project NExT Fellow (MAA - New Experience in Teaching) 2010-2012