Dr. Wen Feng recently joined Niagara University as an assistant professor of mathematics in the fall of 2020. At Niagara, Dr. Feng's research is focused on the stability of solitary wave solutions of nonlinear dispersive equations such as the Nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) and Klein-Gordon equations. The NLS equation arises in various physical contexts such as nonlinear optics and plasma physics. The fractional Schrödinger and fractional Klein-Gordon equations arise in a variety of models in quantum physics. We had a chance to speak to her experience inside and outside of the classroom.
What course(s) are you currently teaching? And could you provide a description of the course?
I am currently teaching MAT107 Business Calculus and MAT112 Calculus II this semester. Business Calculus course is an introduction to calculus with primary emphasis on applications to business and economics. Topics include algebra, problem solving, functions including exponential and logarithmic, mathematics of finance, systems of linear equations, differentiation and applications of differentiation. Calculus II course is a study of integration, techniques of integration, applications of integration and an introduction to infinite sequences and series.
What experience do you have in the math field?
I received my PhD in 2018 from the University of Kansas. I worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts for the 2018-2019 academic year. I was a postdoctoral fellow at Oklahoma State University for the 2019-2020 academic year. I joined Niagara University in the fall of 2020.
I have taught a wide range of mathematics courses at the undergraduate level, including introductory statistics, the calculus sequences, probability, linear algebra and mathematical finance. My primary research area is partial differential equations. In particular, I study the stability of solitary wave solutions of nonlinear dispersive equations. I am also working on problems in nonlinear differential equations coming from fluid dynamics.
What drew you to Niagara?
I am passionate about teaching and love interacting with students in a smaller sized class. The class size at Niagara University fits my needs. I like the low faculty-to-student ratio at Niagara and possible individual mentorship. I appreciate that Niagara encourages research in addition to teaching and service. I am also eager to teach courses in actuarial sciences, calculus sequence, probability and statistics. When I visited the NU campus during my interview last year, the faculty at the math department were very friendly, which also attracted me.
What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies, etc.
Outside of work, I like traveling, hiking, jogging and listening to music.
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