Maria-Veronica Ciocanel
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

My research is in mathematical biology, in particular related to questions about protein transport in cells. Understanding how proteins move and organize inside cells is a fundamental question in cell biology, with implications to our knowledge of healthy cell function and proper organism development. I use mathematical modeling, analysis, and simulation to address questions about molecular-motor driven transport and protein filament organization. I use tools drawing from dynamical systems and partial differential equations, stochastic processes, and data analysis. I collaborate with experimental researchers on problems related to messenger RNA localization in oocytes, neurofilament transport in axons, and actomyosin interactions in biological ring channels. 

Up-to-date information about my research can be found here: https://services.math.duke.edu/~ciocanel/ . 

Current Research Interests

I am currently interested in understanding how differences in motor proteins may lead to different filament organization inside cells. I am also pursuing research projects using agent-based modeling and topological data analysis to give insights into time-series data from cell biology experiments or simulations. I am also working with a neuroscience collaborator on understanding microtubule polarity mechanisms in neuronal development.

I also support leveraging mathematics and computation to give insights into social justice issues, and work on projects related to transparent federal sentencing.

Office Hours

Fall 2020: Tuesdays 2 - 3:30pm, Fridays 10 - 11:30 am.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Contact Information

Some information on this profile has been compiled automatically from Duke databases and external sources. (Our About page explains how this works.) If you see a problem with the information, please write to Scholars@Duke and let us know. We will reply promptly.