Biographical Statement:
Dan Rusu is a mathematician specialized in fluid mechanics and applied dynamical systems. His research is in the
interdisciplinary area of pattern formation in complex systems, and it is aimed at identifying symmetry's role in
nonlinear dynamics and in developing analytical and computational tools that fully exploit its presence. A description
of this type of work may be found in his joint paper with W.F. Langford published in 2003 in the volume “Trends in
Mathematics: Bifurcations, Symmetry and Patterns. Professor Rusu taught a variety of mathematics courses including the
Calculus sequence, Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, Set Theory and Mathematical Logic, Differential Equations, Linear
Programming, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Qualitative Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations, as well as various
courses for students in education and liberal arts. In his teaching Dr. Rusu emphasizes the conceptual understanding and
reasoning.
Current Professional Activities:
Dan Rusu is a member of SIAM, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. He has presented his research at
several national and international conferences in the area of applied mathematics.
Current Research Activities:
Professor Rusu’s mathematical interests range from the applications of the equivariant bifurcation theory and the study
of pattern formation and instabilities in fluid dynamics to mathematics education and problem solving. Currently, the analytical
and computational tools he developed for studying spatio-temporal pattern formation in thermoconvection are extended to other
convective type problems. The inclusion of various types of convections in a single theoretical framework supports the model
independency approach idea in physics. The practical significance of this research lies in the widespread occurrence of the
nonlinear phenomena in physical systems and in the anticipated transfer of new knowledge to the understanding and control of
these phenomena.
Courses Taught:
- MATH-111 Algebra
- MATH-M118 Finite Mathematics
- MATH-M119 Brief Survey of Calculus
- MATH 153 Algebra and Trigonometry
- MATH 163 Calculus & Analytic Geometry I
- MATH 164 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II
- MATH 261 Multivariable Calculus
Education:
Dan Rusu earned a Master of Science in Mathematics-Mechanics (Fluid Mechanics) from University of Bucharest,
Romania and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from University of Guelph, Canada.
Administrative and Service Responsibilities:
Dr. Rusu supervises the math activities at IUPUC, including the IUPUC Math Club. He serves in the IUPUC Faculty
Senate and is a member of the ePortfolio IUPUC task force.
Recent Publications:
Rusu, D.D., Langford, W.F. (2006) Linear Stability and Pattern Formation in Annular Electroconvection.
Dynamics of Continuous, Discrete and Impulsive Systems Proc. 2, 471—488
Rusu, D.D., Langford, W.F. (2003) Bistability of Vortex Modes in Annular Thermoconvection, invited contribution
to
Trends in Mathematics: Bifurcations, Symmetry and Patterns'', 87-99, Birkhauser Verlag
Outside Class:
Dan Rusu is fluent in several languages. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, listening to music (classical
as well as progressive/fusion), hiking/backpacking trips, and swimming.
