Daniel Wuellner

visualization

basics

I'm currently pursuing a PhD in applied mathematics at University of California, Davis. I completed my undergraduate degree in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Before coming to grad school, I worked as an interface analyst at Epic Systems Corporation, an electronic medical records software company.

Recently I've been exploring optimal network design principles in settings with many, often competing, objectives. In particular, I'm interested in networked systems which can be decomposed into discrete subnetworks (e.g. competing airline carriers) which do not necessarily satisfy identical objectives. To this end, I've been focused on technological networks (the Internet, transportation networks, distribution networks etc.), but I would eventually like to consider biological or social systems in this framework. I'm beginning to think about control methods which cause user-optimal equilibriums to converge to specified 'social'-optima.

As a side venture, I'm interested in the place of science and scientific thinking in the public sphere throughout modern history, in particular in the U.S.A.

I like to spend my free time with my black lab, Daisy (who alas will not be joining me in Santa Fe), reading, eating, and running. In the spirit of profiting from my evolutionary heritage, I've recently started doing some of that running barefoot. I'm always looking for company while running, so let me know if you want to join me in some morning/evening explorations of the SF area.

In spite of the necessity in research to know 'a lot about a little,' I still strongly value knowing 'a little about a lot' and am intrigued by the group's range of interests. I look forward to meeting all of you!

email: dwuellner(at)math(dot)ucdavis(dot)edu

questions

1. What are your main interests? Feel free to include a "pie in the sky" big idea! My main research interests now are inferring and modeling the design principles of networked systems, and modeling interacting systems of networks (i.e. 'networks of networks').

2. What sorts of expertise can you bring to the group? I'm reasonably adept programming in Python and have used the networkx package extensively. I have experience with stochastic optimization techniques (simulated annealing). My formal training in mathematics has given me a background in analysis, probability, and numerical methods for DEs.

3. What do you hope to get out of the CSSS? Mainly I hope to fill in any gaps in my background knowledge on complex systems and to have an opportunity to collaborate in an interdisciplinary setting.

4. Do you have any possible projects in mind for the CSSS? I don't have any specific projects that integrate my interests yet, though I will keep brainstorming. I'm open to exploring any networked system, and I'm hopeful that some early discussions at SFI will precipitate some good ideas.