nature

About me

Welcome to my corner of the internet! I'm currently immersed in the world of academia as a Ph.D. student in the Mathematics Department at Simon Fraser University. Under the guidance of esteemed advisors, Dr. John Stockie and Dr. Ailene MacPherson, I'm passionately delving into research that bridges the realms of epidemiology, eco-evolutionary dynamics, and theoretical biology. My journey in academia began with a thirst for knowledge, leading me to pursue a Master of Science degree at Simon Fraser University, which I completed in 2022. During this time, I collaborated closely with Dr. John Stockie, exploring the intricate dynamics of jellyfish locomotion and feeding behaviors through the lens of numerical simulations. Prior to my M.Sc., I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Faculty at the AmirKabir University of Technology (Tehran Polyhechnic) in 2019. This formative experience laid the groundwork for my interdisciplinary approach to research, blending mathematical rigor with computational prowess.
defence
MScConvocation
SIAM2023

Short CV

Education
  • Ph.D. student in Applied Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Canada. 2023-current
  • MS.c. in Applied Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Canada. 2021-2022
  • BS.c. in Computer Science, AmirKabir University of Technology, Iran. 2015-2019
Research
  • Ph.D. research project (ongoing...)
  • MS.c. thesis titled "Computational Study of 2D jellyfish with the Immersed Boundary Method"
  • BS.c. project titled "Cardinality Optimization"
Talks and Posters
  • Talk) Evolution of Masting (Or Not?), CAIMS, (June, 2024)
  • Talk) Evolution of Masting (Or Not?), CSEE, (May, 2024)
  • Talk) Computational Study of 2D Jellyfish with the IBM, CAIMS, (June, 2023)
  • Poster) A Sequential Approach to Bark Beetle Outbreaks, Eco Evo, (October, 2023)
  • Poster) A Sequential Approach to Bark Beetle Outbreaks, SIAM PNW, (October, 2023)
Teaching
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Numerical Analysis (MACM 316), SFU, Summer 2024
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Numerical Analysis (MACM 316), SFU, Fall 2023
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Mathematical Biology (MACM 360), SFU, Fall 2023
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Mathematics of Sports (MATH 303), SFU, Fall 2022
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Numerical Analysis (MACM 316), SFU, Fall 2021
  • Graduate teaching assistant for Linear Algebra (MATH 232), SFU, Fall 2021
  • Graduate teaching assistant for applied calculus, SFU, 2021-2024
Honors
  • Awarded 1st poster presentation, SIAM PNW on October, 2023
  • Awarded certificate with distinction in recognition of the mathematical sophistication, originality, and significance of the thesis and defence presented on December, 2022
  • Awarded GPS graduate fellowship by Simon Fraser University on Fall 2021.
  • Ranked among the top 5% of all Iranian student in the "National Universities Enterence Exam" in Mathematics and Physics branch, 2014.
  • Ranked among the top 5% of all Iranian student in the "National Universities Enterence Exam" in Foreign Languages branch, 2014.
Graduate Level Courses
  • Probability and Stochastic Stochastic Proceses in Biology
  • Mathematics of Evolution
  • Mathematical Epidemiology
  • Advanced Linear Programming
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Continues Optimization
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Dynamical Systems

Research

As a PhD student, my research interests are focused on the intersection of epidemiology, evolutionary biology, and computational fluid dynamics. In particular, I'm investigating bark beetle infestations, which are a major threat to forest ecosystems worldwide. My work involves examining the dynamics of the host trees using computational fluid dynamics approaches, which allows me to model how the beetles move and interact with the trees. Additionally, I'm creating a new model to depict bark beetle outbreaks and refining the assumptions made in earlier literature studies. By evaluating the severity of various parameters, I hope to gain insights into how to limit the outbreak of these destructive pests. Finally, I'm examining issues related to evolution and local adaptation in the context of bark beetle infestations. My research is multi-disciplinary in nature, with applications to a wide range of fields, and I'm excited to contribute to our understanding of these important ecological issues.
During my Master of Science program, I conducted research on the swimming and feeding dynamics of jellyfish using numerical simulations. Jellyfish are known to possess highly efficient methods of movement, making them a fascinating model organism for biologists. Using the immersed boundary method, I investigated the fluid-structure interaction between a 2D model of a swimming jellyfish and its surrounding fluid, with a focus on jet-like swimming observed in prolate jellies. Through my simulations, I was able to demonstrate that a power-law dependence derived for undulatory swimmers extends naturally to jellyfish using jetting propulsion. I also investigated the feeding technique used by jetting swimmers, which involves exploiting trailing vortices generated by bell contractions to redirect passive prey into their bell interior. Finally, I explored pair-wise interactions between jellyfish, where nearby swimmers generate repulsion forces and turning responses. My research lays the groundwork for future computational simulations of jellyfish swarms, and contributes to our understanding of the fluid dynamics underlying the remarkable performance of these creatures.

Contact

mahdi_salehzadeh[at]sfu[dot]ca

TASC2 8510

Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University,
8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada