Embedded Files
Zoe Brown's presentation at the WKU Math Symposium held in November 2025.
The 2024 American Control Conference (ACC) is held in July 2024 in Toronto, Canada. From left to right: Uthman Rasaq and Prof. Scott Hansen from Iowa State University.
The 2024 American Control Conference (ACC) is held in July 2024 in Toronto, Canada. Uthman Rasaq
WKU Showcase Conference, April 2024. From left: I. Khalilullah, J. Walterman, myself, Z. Haider, U. Rasaq. Each student had his own poster.
Jacob Walterman and Ahmet Kaan Aydin are getting ready for the poster presentation at Joint Mathematics Meeting in Boston, MA, USA, 2023
Emma Moore and DJ Price, Posters-at-the Capitol, Frankfirt, KY, 2020
Dr. Ozer's Research Lab
Kenedi Ashburn's presentation at the WKU Math Symposium held in November 2025.
The 63rd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control is held in December 2024 at Allianz MiCo, Milan Convention Centre, Italy. (Myself)
The International AIMS Conference at Wilmington, NC, in June 2023. From left to right: Zulfiqur Haider, myself, Ahmet Kaan Aydin, Rafi Emran.
The researcch group at the Student Research Conference (SRC) at WKU in 2022. From left: Driehaus, Aydin, Crouch, Stewart, Emran
My students and I are having a discussion with Stephen Wolfram on Wolfram's Demonstration Projects on smart phones, Joint Mathematics Meeting, Boston, January 2023
The 2024 American Control Conference (ACC) is held in July 2024. (Left) Uthman Rasaq, (Right) Jacob Walterman
AMS Southeastern Sectional Meeting, Florida State University in March 2024. Our research group alongside AMS staff. Left to right: Z. Haider, I. Khalilullah, U. Rasaq
Meet some of the existing and former group members of Dr. Ozer's Research Group
Meet some of the existing and former group members of Dr. Ozer's Research Group
Graduate Students
Graduate Students
Zoe is a graduate student in the JUMP program conducting research on stability analysis and model reduction for string–mass and beam–mass systems. She has co-authored more than four journal papers and develops computational tools that connect theoretical models with numerical simulations. She has received several honors, including the Dr. R. Glenn and Virginia Powers Scholarship and the Henry M. and Zula G. Yarbrough Award (2025), as well as the Hugh F. and Katherine A. Johnson Scholarship and Award (2024). Her first (2025) and second (2026) papers are both published in IEEE Control Systems Letters, a Q1 journal, and five of her co-authored works are currently under revision.
Kenedi Ashburn (JUMP Student, April 2025–present)
Kenedi Ashburn (JUMP Student, April 2025–present)
Kenedi is conducting research on transmission line problems for beam–mass systems, with a focus on model reduction techniques. Together with Zoe Brown, Kenedi is preparing a jointly co-authored paper under my supervision. Kenedi is the recipient of the Henry M. and Zula G. Yarbrough Scholarship and the Dr. R. Glenn and Virginia Powers Scholarship.
Uthman is the recipient of the John D. Minton Award (2025), the highest research honor at WKU, as well as the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in the Department of Mathematics (2025). His research focuses on observer design problems for piezoelectric beam models. He has two accepted papers in the Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE American Control Conference, one co-authored with Ibrahim Khalilullah. His third manuscript was recently published in the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications (2025), a Q1 journal.
Ibrahim Khalilullah (MSc Student, January 2023–December 2024)
Current: PhD Student at Clemson University
Ibrahim Khalilullah (MSc Student, January 2023–December 2024)
Current: PhD Student at Clemson University
Ibrahim’s research focuses on the stabilization of transmission problems involving a piezoelectric beam model coupled with heat or fluid dynamics. He has published two papers in the Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE American Control Conference, one co-authored with Uthman Rasaq. His third manuscript was recently published in Evolution Equations and Control Theory (2025), a Q1 journal.
Zulfiqur was the Outstanding Graduate Student Awardee in the Department of Mathematics (2024). His research focuses on the observability of smart multi-layer beam models and their Finite Difference approximations. His first paper has been accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC). His second paper, co-authored with Ahmet Kaan Aydin, was recently published in IEEE Control Systems Letters, a Q1 journal. His third paper is under revision, and his fourth paper is currently in preparation for submission.
Rafi received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in the Department of Mathematics (2023). His research focused on boundary feedback stabilization of wave and piezoelectric beam equations, including their Finite Difference approximations. He has submitted three manuscripts for publication, one of which, co-authored with Ahmet Kaan Aydin, was published in IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, a top-tier journal in the field.
Ahmet’s research has focused on the uniform observability of multi-layer beam equations and their Finite Difference approximations. His work has resulted in publications in ESAIM: Control, Optimisation and Calculus of Variations (2023), IEEE Control Systems Letters (2023, 2024), the IEEE CDC Proceedings (2022), IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control (2024), and the IEEE ACC Proceedings (2025). He is the recipient of the John D. Minton Award (2022), the highest research honor at WKU, as well as the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in the Department of Mathematics (2022).
Wilson Horner (MSc Student, 2019–2021)
Wilson Horner (MSc Student, 2019–2021)
Wilson received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in the Department of Mathematics (2021). His research focused on the uniform observability of piezoelectric beam equations and their Finite Difference approximations. His work was published in Applicable Analysis, a Q1 journal.
Meet Some of the Undergraduate Students
Meet Some of the Undergraduate Students
Jacob Cano (December 2025-date)
Jacob Cano (December 2025-date)
Jake is a Gatton student hoping to pursue a degree in Mathematics. He has been accepted to Princeton University and has been awarded a full scholarship, where he intends to study next year. Jake is currently working in real-time visualization of networked wave systems in Python and Mathematica.
Prthu Naik (December 2025-date)
Prthu Naik (December 2025-date)
Prthu is a Gatton student hoping to pursue a degree in physics. He was awarded Gatton’s Research Internship Grant (2025) to use a stereoscopic camera system to record a Cloud Chamber and track particles inside the Cloud Chamber. He presented this research at the Southeastern Sectional of the American Physical Society (2025) conference and the Kentucky Academy of Science Conference (2025). Prthu is currently working in real-time visualization of networked wave systems in Python and Mathematica.
Jacob is a Wolfram Ambassador and the President of the SIAM Student Chapter at WKU. He has received several honors, including the Hugh F. and Katherine A. Johnson Mathematics Award (2023), the Fruit of the Loom Mathematics Award (2023), a FUSE Award (2023), and an RCAP Grant (2024).
Jacob has presented a poster at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in Boston, MA, USA, and has published multiple projects in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project. His research record includes a first publication in IEEE Control Systems Letters (a Q1 journal), a second paper in the Proceedings of the IEEE European Control Conference, and a third manuscript published in Evolution Equations and Control Theory (Q1). His fourth paper is under revision.
Matthew Poynter (2021–2023)
Current: Student at the WKU Medical School
Matthew Poynter (2021–2023)
Current: Student at the WKU Medical School
Mathew was the Best Presenter at the 41st Annual Math Symposium and received the Henry M. and Zula G. Yarbrough Award (2023) as well as the Fruit of the Loom Award (2022). He also co-authored four projects published in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project. Building on his strong foundation in applied mathematics, Mathew is now pursuing medical studies at WKU, where his analytical and problem-solving skills continue to support his academic journey.
Logan Stewart (2021–2023)
Logan Stewart (2021–2023)
Logan received the Bueker Award (2022) and co-authored two projects published in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
Samuel Leveridge (Math Economics & Accounting Double Major, Fall 2022)
Samuel Leveridge (Math Economics & Accounting Double Major, Fall 2022)
Samuel pursued a double major in Mathematical Economics and Accounting beginning in Fall 2022.
Trey Crouch (2022)
Trey Crouch (2022)
Logan received the Bueker Award (2022) and co-authored three projects published in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
Emma Moore (2019–2022)
Emma Moore (2019–2022)
Emma passed CE/T-Hon 403/404 with distinction (2022) and received several honors, including the Yarbrough Award (2021), a FUSE Award (2019), and the Fruit of the Loom Award (2019).
Alex Driehaus (2022)
Alex Driehaus (2022)
Alex was recognized as Best Presenter at the 41st Annual WKU Math Symposium (2022).
For undergraduates planning to work with me.
For undergraduates planning to work with me.
For graduate students planning to work with me.
For graduate students planning to work with me.
Current and Former students actively involved in research:
Current and Former students actively involved in research:
31. Jacob Cano, Gatton student (December 2025-date)
30. Prthu Naik, Gatton student (December 2025-date)
29. Kennedi Ashburn, JUMP student (April 2025-date)
28. Zoe Brown, JUMP student, (August 2024-date)
Past Students:
Past Students:
27. Uthman Rasaq, M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics (January 2023-December 2024).
Uthman received the highest research award "John D. Minton award" at WKU. The competition is at the university level.
26. Sk Md Ibrahim Khalilullah (RCAP grant), M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics (January 2023- December 2024).
25. Md Mulfiqur Haider (RCAP grant), M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics (2022-2024).
24. Jacob Walterman (KY NSF EPSCoR, FUSE, and RCAP grants). Jacob will be working on implementing algorithms for an energy harvester model. He will be working on the mathematical and computational legs of the project. (May 2022-July 2023).
23. Rafi Emran, M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics: Rafi is currently working on understanding discretized piezoelectric beam equations (2021-2023).
22. Ahmet Kaan Aydin (KY NSF EPSCoR grant), M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics: Ahmet worked on understanding the applications of continuous and discrete Ingham's theorems to the Mead-Marcus-type beams (2020-2022).
Ahmet received the highest research award "John D. Minton award" at WKU. The competition is at the university level.
21. Matthew Poynter (KY NSF EPSCoR grant): Matthew worked on the Wolfram Demonstration Project for certain smart systems (August 2021-2023).
Matthew has presented his findings at the KAS meeting (virtual) (2021) - Matthew is the Joint winner of the student competition. Matthew also presented research at the WKU Math Symposium (2022), and KY-MAA meeting (2022). Matthew's poster is the best poster in his session at the Student Research Conference (2022). Matthew has co-presented a poster at the Super Collider Conference for the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR supported research participants in April 2022.
20. Samuel Leveridge (KY NSF EPSCoR grant). Samuel worked on implementing algorithms for an energy harvester model. (September 2022-December 2022).
19. Mason Woolridge (Gatton Academy), Independent Research. Mason helped develop an algorithm for the reduced models of a class of wave equations with different damping mechanisms (Summer 2022).
18. Alex Driehaus (KY NSF EPSCoR grant), Senior Thesis Project, Math 498. Alex worked on estimates for the boundary-feedback stabilized difference-differential equations by the multipliers technique (Spring 2022).
Alex gave a talk at the Math Symposium in February 2022, and another one at the Student Research Conference in March 2022.
17. Trey Crouch (KY NSF EPSCoR grant), Independent Research, Math 275. Trey worked on implementing algorithms for the wave and beam systems in the Wolfram's Demonstration Project (Spring 2022).
Trey gave a talk at the Math Symposium in February 2022, and two other talks at the Student Research Conference and the KY-MAA symposium in March 2022.
16. Logan Stewart, Independent Research Project on the Wolfram Demonstration Project for certain smart systems (August 2021-date).
Logan has presented his findings at the KAS meeting (virtual) in November 2021. Logan is the joint winner of the student competition. Logan also presented research at the WKU Math Symposium (2022), Student Research Conference (2022), and KY-MAA meeting (2022). Logan has also presented a poster at the Gatton Fair. Logan has co-presented a poster at the Super Collider Conference for the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR supported research participants in April 2022.
15. Emma Moore, CE/T - Hon 403/404, Math Undergraduate (FUSE Spring 2019 winner, KY NSF EPSCoR and RCAP-funded): Emma is from KY, and she is currently working on obtaining estimates for difference-differential equations, obtained by the Finite Differences and Finite Elements, by the multipliers. She is also working towards implementing certain control designs for single piezoelectric beam structures (Fall'18-date). Emma passed the CE/T-Hon 403/404 with distinction. Emma participated in the SIAM Southeastern Sectional Meeting in Auburn, AL in September 2021.
14. Wilson Horner, M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics: "Analysis of Boundary Observability of Strongly Coupled One-dimensional Wave Equations With Mixed Boundary Conditions", graduated in spring 2021. Currently working in as a Data Scientist in Louisville.
13. Joey Lyvers, Gatton Academy Student: Developing demonstration projects for vibrations on a string by a dynamic controller (Fall 2020).
12. Katelynn Huddy, Gatton Academy Student: Developing demonstration projects for vibrations on a string by a dynamic controller (Summer, Fall 2020).
11. Donald Price, Math undergraduate (KY NSF EPSCoR-funded): Donald worked on developing efficient algorithms and reliable Mathematica codes for Wolfram Demonstration Project for certain systems of difference-differential equations (Winter'19-May 2020).
10. Ryan St. Clair, Math undergraduate (RCAP-funded), Senior Thesis, Title: Lack of observability/controllability of well-known partial differential equations discretized by Finite Differences. (Spring 2020).
9. Emrick Swan, Math Undergraduate, Senior Thesis, Title: Lack of observability of Finite Element approximations of a Drichlet-Neumann wave equation controlled/observed through its boundary. (Spring 2020).
8. Sydney New, Math Undergraduate, Senior Thesis. Sydney worked on detailing the mathematical analysis of approximations of the differential equation-models for piezoelectric beams (Fall 2019).
7. William Poteet, Math Undergraduate (RCAP project): He worked on developing efficient algorithms and reliable Mathematica codes for Wolfram Demonstration Project for certain systems of difference-differential equations (Fall 2019).
6. Camille Wartman, Math Undergraduate ((KY NSF EPSCoR project) - Camille worked on developing algorithms and reliable Mathematica codes for certain systems of difference-differential equations of beam equations (Fall 2019).
5. Kamala Dadashova, Independent Research, Analysis and control of discretized system of wave equation (Fall 2018).
4. Camille Wartman, Honors Augmentation, The Collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Suspension Bridge, Spring 2018.
3. Alexandria Scoville, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, Independent Research, Numerics for a damped nonlinear piezoelectric beam, HON 303, Fall 2017.
2. Clayton Phelps, Honors Augmentation, “Earthquake shaking of a Two-story Building,” Spring 2017.
Lauren Cooper, Honors Augmentation, "A Forensic study: Murder at the Mayfair Diner", Fall 2017.
Join Our Research Group
Join Our Research Group
I welcome motivated undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in joining my research group in Control Theory and Applied Mathematics.
Our group works on the mathematical modeling, analysis, control, and numerical approximation of distributed and hybrid systems, with applications arising in engineering, materials science, and continuum mechanics. Research directions evolve naturally as new mathematical questions and collaborations emerge.
Students affiliated with the Women in Science Club and the WKU SIAM Student Chapter are especially encouraged to reach out.
Research Themes
Projects in the group typically involve combinations of the following areas:
Control and stabilization of PDE systems: Including boundary control, interface control, observer design, and feedback mechanisms for distributed parameter systems.
Hybrid PDE–ODE and networked systems: Modeling and analysis of systems with interfaces, joints, interior masses, or dynamic boundary elements.
Continuum and variational modeling: Derivation of mathematically consistent models for elastic, piezoelectric, thermoelastic, and multi-physics structures.
Numerical analysis and structure-preserving discretizations: Finite Difference, Galerkin, and mixed methods that preserve stability, observability, and energy properties of the underlying continuous models.
Stability, controllability, and observability theory: Energy methods, multiplier techniques, spectral analysis, and Lyapunov-based approaches for both continuous and discrete systems.
Computational exploration and visualization: Use of Mathematica or Phyton to support analysis, validate theory, and develop interactive demonstrations.
Specific project topics are typically tailored to the student’s background, interests, and level (undergraduate or graduate).
Who Should Consider Joining
Who Should Consider Joining
Graduate students:
Graduate students:
GPA ≥ 3.5 / 4.00
Background in ODEs, PDEs, Numerical Analysis, or Analysis is beneficial
Familiarity with Functional Analysis and Applied Mathematics is a strong plus
Graduate students who are interested in joining the research group should schedule an appointment by email to discuss background, interests, and possible directions
Graduate students who are interested in joining the research group should schedule an appointment by email to discuss background, interests, and possible directions
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
GPA ≥ 3.25 / 4.00
Completion of the Calculus sequence with a grade of B or better
For computational projects:
Calculus I and proficiency in Mathematica or Phyton are sufficient
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations are a plus
Expectations: Members of the research group are expected to be:
Available 5–15 hours per week
Highly motivated and intellectually curious
Willing to learn new analytical and computational techniques
Communicative, responsible, and engaged with group activities
Students are encouraged to view research as a long-term developmental process, often leading to conference presentations, publications, and graduate study.
How to Get Involved
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact me with:
A brief description of your background and coursework
Any programming experience (e.g., Mathematica, Phyton)
Your general research interests (no specific topic required)
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