Embedded Files
Zoe Brown's poster presentation at the WKU Showcase Conference held in April 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
Dr. Ozer's Research Lab
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
Emma Moore and DJ Price, Posters-at-the Capitol, Frankfirt, KY, 2020
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
Kenedi Ashburn
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.
(JUMP Student, August 2024–present)
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 paper was published in IEEE Control Systems Letters (2025), a Q1 journal, and two of her co-authored works are currently under revision.
(MSc Student, January 2023–December 2024)
Current: PhD Student at Clemson University
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.
(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.
(MSc Student, 2022–2024)
Current: PhD Student at Iowa State University
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 and fourth papers are currently in preparation for submission.
(MSc Student, 2021–2023)
Current: PhD Student at NJIT
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.
(MSc Student, 2020–2022)
Current: PhD Student at UMBC
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
Wilson Horner
Current: Research Scientist, Riverside Research(MSc Student, 2019–2021)
Current: Research Scientist, Riverside Research
Current: Research Scientist, Riverside Research(MSc Student, 2019–2021)
Current: Research Scientist, Riverside Research
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.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
(2022–2024)
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 first paper was published in IEEE Control Systems Letters, a Q1 journal. His second paper appeared in the Proceedings of the IEEE European Control Conference, and he has submitted a third manuscript for review.
Matthew Poynter
Matthew Poynter
(Math Undergraduate, 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
Logan Stewart
(Math Undergraduate, 2021–2023)
Logan received the Bueker Award (2022) and co-authored two projects published in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
Samuel Leveridge
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
Trey Crouch
(Math Undergraduate, 2022)
Logan received the Bueker Award (2022) and co-authored three projects published in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
Emma Moore
Emma Moore
(Math Undergraduate, 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
Alex Driehaus
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:
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.
I have several projects available in the following topics (priority will be given to students from Women in Science Club and WKU SIAM Student Chapter):
I have several projects available in the following topics (priority will be given to students from Women in Science Club and WKU SIAM Student Chapter):
Active Current project: I am currently working on the controllability of nonlinear smart laminates. So far, I have obtained the PDE models through a consistent variational approach.These models are shown to be well-posed in corresponding energy spaces. Related projects are the following
Using Galerkin-type (Finite Element) and Finite Difference-type approximations to look for stable approximations
for the control-free model.
for the damped model due to the middle viscoelastic layer.
for the closed-loop model with stabilizing feedback controllers.
for the open-loop model with the energy harvesting applications
For the problems above, good knowledge of programming in Mathematica, Linear Algebra, and ODE (or PDE) are necessary.
Using continuous/discrete multiplier techniques to show that the continuous/discrete models are locally controllable and globally stabilizable. For this part of the project, you should have taken a fundamental "Functional Analysis" course and Calculus II.
Other projects:
Other projects:
Control and Stabilization for smart-layered structures
Continuum mechanical modeling of smart structures. e.g. biomorphs, magneto-elastic materials, thermo-piezoelectric materials, different geometries in 2D and 3D.
Controllability/Stabilizability/Observer Design for Linear and Nonlinear Systems Theory.
Optimal location actuators and sensors for layered structures.
Some of the projects above are at the graduate level and some are at the undergraduate level. Before asking for a research project, make sure that you know at least one programming language at the intermediate level, i.e. Mathematica or Matlab, and check the following next:
Undergraduate students:
Have GPA > 3.25/4.
Getting done with Calculus series with at least "B" is essential. For coding projects, taking Calculus I and being proficient in Mathematica is enough.
If you have already taken Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, it is a plus.
Graduate students:
Have GPA > 3.0/4.
Getting done with Intermediate Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations (at any level) is not necessary but a plus.
Knowledge of basic Functional Analysis and Applied Mathematics is also a big plus.
Other Requirements:
Available for 5-15 hours per week
Highly motivated
Excellent communication skills
Eager to learn and apply new skills
Responsible and responsive to project needs
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