My research interests include mathematical biology, optimal control, mathematical modeling, ordinary and partial differential equations, difference equations and hybrid systems with applications to populations, diseases and natural resources.

My research focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal patterns that arise in dynamic biological systems and when possible, finding the best way to control the system.

Research Descriptions:

1. H. Behncke, W. Ding and S. Lenhart
   Optimal Harvesting of Cod Population with Discrete Time and Age Structure, 2009.
2. W. Ding, V. Hrynkiv, D. Kern, S. Lenhart and X. Mu
   Optimal Control Applied to Native-Invasive Population Dynamics via a PDE Model, 2009.
3. W. Ding, S. Lenhart and M. Neubert
   Spatial Optimal Harvesting of Fishery Models, 2009.
4. W. Ding et al.
   Optimal Biological Control on Pest, 2009.
5. H. Finotti, S. Lenhart and W. Ding
   Optimal Control on the Advection Term in a PDE Model, 2009.
6. W. Ding
   Optimal Control of Biological Invasions, 2009.

Dissertation:

Two Biological Applications of Optimal Control to Hybrid Differential Equations and Elliptic Partial Differential Equations [PDF]

Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Lenhart

• Wandi Ding.
  Optimal Control on Hybrid ODE Systems with Application to a Tick Disease Model. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering (SCIE), 4:4, 633-659, October 2007. [PDF]
• Wandi Ding and Suzanne Lenhart.
  Optimal Harvesting of a Spatially Explicit Fishery Model. Natural Resource Modeling (SCIE) , 22:2, 173-211, May, 2009. [PDF]
  

  Poster [PDF] at the 2007 World Conference on Natural Resource Modeling.

Other Work:

1. Wandi Ding and Suzanne Lenhart.
   An Introduction to Optimal Control for Discrete Models with an Application to Disease Modeling, submitted to AMS volume on Modeling Paradigms and Analysis of Disease Transmission Models, 2008.
2. W. Ding, Suzanne Lenhart, Heather Finotti, Yuan Lou and Yuquan Ye.
   Optimal Control of the Growth Coefficient on a Steady State Population Model. Accepted by Nonlinear Anal. Real World Appl. (SCIE), 2009. [PDF]
   

3. Wandi Ding, Louis Gross, Keith Langston, Suzanne Lenhart and Leslie A. Real.
   Rabies in Raccoons: Optimal Control for a Discrete Time Model on a Spatial Grid. Journal of Biological Dynamics, 1:4, 379-393, October 2007. [PDF]
4. Grid Computing Project for Ecological Modeling and Spatial Control, 2006-07
5. Computational Science Workshop for Natural Resource Managers 2007
   
6. Computational Science Workshop for Natural Resource Managers 2006
   
7. Industrial Mathematical & Statistical Modeling (IMSM) Workshop @ NC State Univ. 2004
   Natalie Almond, Wandi Ding, Xiaochuan Li, Xingtao Liu, Steven Rusnica, Ismael Velzquez-Ramrez, Emily Lada, Fazafumi Ito, Michael Horton, Mellisa Choi.
   "Mobile Sensing of Aerosolized Chemical and Biological Agents." CRSC Technical Report, CRSC-TR04-41, 15-26, December, 2004. [PDF]
   
   
8. Shusen Xie and Wandi Ding
   Linear Modified Finite Difference Method Combined with Characteristics for Convection-Diffusion Problems. J. Qingdao University of Science & Technology, No.2, 9-13, 2002
   
   
9. M.S. Thesis
   Wandi Ding
   "Linear Modified Finite Difference Method for a Type of Initial Value Problems of Parabolic Partial Differential Equations." Ocean University of Qingdao, China, 2001, Library collection code: Y406018
   
   
10. Shusen Xie and Wandi Ding
    "Optimal Numerical Primitive Function Formula in the space W(p;B)" (Preprint, 2002)
    

1. Faculty Research and Creative Activities (FRCAC), MTSU, August 2009- May 2010.
   Optimal Control Applied to Native-Invasive Population Dynamics via a PDE Model
2. AWM Travel Grants for Women Researchers 2009.
3. STEPmt (Stepping Up Undergraduate Research) Summer Team, MTSU, June-July 2009.
   Mathematical Modeling and Control of Populations: Application in Biological Pest Control
4. Faculty Research and Creative Activities (FRCAC), MTSU, August 2008- May 2009.
   Optimal Harvesting of Fish Populations with Age Structure