The American Mathematical Society (AMS) announced that Chong Wang, assistant professor of mathematics at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded an AMS-Simons Research Enhancement Grant for Primary Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs).
The grants, three-year grants totaling up to $10,800, will be awarded to mathematicians employed full-time in tenure-track or tenure-track positions at PUI and with an active research program. The grants are made up of three components: faculty, departmental, and institutional grants. Grant recipients will receive $3,000 each year to support research-related activities. In addition, the institution administering the grant will receive $300 in discretionary funds annually for the grant recipient’s department and $300 for administrative expenses.
“I am very happy to receive this grant,” said Wang. “This is my first time applying for a U.S. government grant, and I feel fortunate to have won. The support of this grant will fund resources such as high-speed computing for research simulations. It will also allow me to visit collaborators, organize and attend mathematics conferences, and invite speakers to exchange research insights. These activities will deepen my current research findings and may open new avenues for future research.”
Wang’s current research investigates energy-driven pattern formation in complex physical and biological systems.
“Mathematical studies of multi-species systems with competing short- and long-range interactions have been mainly limited to binary systems due to their complexity,” said Wang. “In this work, we explore the complex and previously intractable patterns within ternary and quaternary systems through analytical and computational approaches. In addition to answering a long-standing open question in the field of pattern formation, this work will facilitate the development of formulations useful for predicting and designing new materials with customized properties.”
Wang joined the W&L faculty as an assistant professor in 2021. She received her doctorate from George Washington University and did postdoctoral research at McMaster University and Columbia University from 2018-2021.
The American Mathematical Society is the largest mathematical organization in North America, founded in 1888 to advance mathematical research and scholarship. It serves national and international communities through publications, conferences, outreach, and other programs that promote mathematical research, awareness, skills, and education. With generous financial support from the Simons Foundation and the Menger family, the Society awards at least 40 PUI faculty research enhancement grants each year.
If you know of a W&L faculty member who has done outstanding work and deserves recognition, please let us know and we’d love to nominate them for the award.
