REU Opportunities

2026 REU: Dynamic bifurcations of patterns

Regular patterns form in a wide array of natural and made-made systems, including biological morphogenesis, crystal growth, chemical reactions, and fluid systems. This REU is looking for two enthusiastic students to study how such patterns can be controlled and influenced by spatio-temporal heterogeneities through the mathematical lense of differential equations and dynamical systems theory using both analytical and numerical techniques. A particular focus will be on dynamically evolvoing instabilities.

Information about the REU

This six week, NSF funded, REU will run tentatively from June 15th - July 24th, 2026 and take place on the main campus at Boston University.

Eligibility: An applicant must be a US citizens or permanent resident and must not have finished their undergraduate degree by summer 2026.

Qualifications: The successful applicant should have taken at least one introductory course in differential equations. Prior research experience is not required. More advanced courses in differential equations, analysis, and numerical analysis as well as experience coding in MATLAB and Mathematica are helpful but not necessary. Students should be interested in learning and using numerical methods.

Support: Participants will receive a stipend of $4800 and support for housing on the BU campus. Domestic travel funding may also be available.

Students from historically underrepresented groups in mathematics are particularly encouraged to apply.

-> Deadline: Applications received by January, 28th will be given full consideration.

Application Students should apply using this google form (google account required) where they will be asked to provide the following:
  • A CV
  • A list of mathematics courses taken and grades obtained (relevant courses from other fields can also be listed, an official transcript is not needed)
  • A statement of interest in the program
  • Contact info for letter writers
    Students should also arrange for two letters of recommendation to be emailed to rgoh@bu.edu with the subject line "REU 2026 Letter for [applicant name]". Letters should comment on the applicant's mathematical ability and potential for research. Applicants are encouraged to ask professors who have taught them in mathematics courses. Letters should be sent, if possible by January 28th, 2026.


    Previous REUs I've organized or been involved with

    2024

    Collaborators: B. Krewson (Graduate Mentor)
    Participants: N. Patel (now PhD at UC - Berkeley), K. Ratcfliffe
    Project: Patterns and fronts under the influence a slow ramp
    Preprint in preparation, work presented at SIAM DS 2025, SIAM APDE 2025 NWCS 2026.

    2023

    Collaborators: M. Avery (BU Postdoc), B. Hosek (Graduate Mentor)
    Participants: O. Garcia-Lopez (now PhD at Tufts), E. Shade (now PhD at CU boulder)
    Project: Invasion Fronts and patterns under the influence of a Time-Dependent Parameter
    M. Avery, R. Goh, O. Garcia-Lopez, B. Hosek, E. Shade Fronts and patterns with a dynamic parameter ramp Physica D 483, 134972, 2025; ( Preprint );
    Work presented at SIAM NWCS 2024, JMM 2025, DS 2025.

    2021

    Participants: S. Dunn, B. Krewson (now PhD at BU)
    Project: Transverse modulational dynamics of quenched patterns
    S. Dunn, R. Goh, B. Krewson. Transverse modulational dynamics of quenched patterns Chaos 34, 063104 2024; ( Preprint )
    Work also presented at 2022 KUMUNU-ISU conference, BU UROP symposium, and various seminars.

    2015

    Collaborators: A. Scheel
    Participants: R. Beekie, D. Matthias, J. Nunley.
    Project: Universal wavenumber selection laws in apical growth
    Phys. Rev. E 94 (2016), 022219. (Preprint )

    2012

    Collaborators: M. Holzer, A. Scheel
    Participants: K. Bose, T. Cox, S. Silvestri, P. Varin.
    Project: Invasion fronts and pattern formation in a model of chemotaxis in one and two dimensions. SIURO 6 (2013), 228-24