David J. Gillcrist is a PhD candidate in the Engineering and Applied Science program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, specializing in computational science and mathematics. His dissertation develops geometric approaches to optimal experimental design, parameter estimation, and calibration, combining differential geometry with surrogate modeling.
He holds BSc degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics, magna cum laude, from Missouri University of Science & Technology.
Background/Prior Research Experience
- High Energy Physics. For ATLAS, studied how a hypothesized dark photon (Zd) and its associated scalar boson could be observed through beyond-Standard-Model decays of the Higgs boson. For IceCube, contributed to calibration of the Digital Optical Modules that detect Cherenkov light from neutrino interactions in the Antarctic ice.
- Physical Chemistry. Helped build a chirped-pulse Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer and analyzed the rotational spectra of molecular complexes.
Fractional Calculus. As an undergraduate David spent outside time outside of school and research exploring the connections between rogue waves in optics and oceanography and the fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This prompted a lasting interest in fractional calculus. A long-term goal is to use differential geometry and surrogate modeling to understand when and why fractional dynamics arise in physical systems.
