Overview
My research is in mathematical biology, and I am particularly interested in tackling questions about protein transport and organization in cells using mathematical and computational tools. Understanding how proteins move and organize inside cells is a fundamental question in cell and developmental biology, with implications to how cells function in a healthy way and how organisms properly develop.
I use mathematical modeling, analysis, and simulation to address questions about molecular-motor driven transport and protein filament organization. I build and use techniques from dynamical systems and partial differential equations, stochastic processes, and data analysis. I collaborate with experimental researchers on problems related to messenger RNA transport in developing oocytes and neuronal cells, actin-myosin protein interactions, and organization of microtubule filaments in neuronal dendrites. This leads to interesting questions about building stochastic and continuous models for these processes, about parameter estimation and identifiability based on limited experimental data, and about appropriate measures for analyzing complex simulated and experimental datasets.
Up-to-date information about my research can be found here: https://services.math.duke.edu/~ciocanel/.
I use mathematical modeling, analysis, and simulation to address questions about molecular-motor driven transport and protein filament organization. I build and use techniques from dynamical systems and partial differential equations, stochastic processes, and data analysis. I collaborate with experimental researchers on problems related to messenger RNA transport in developing oocytes and neuronal cells, actin-myosin protein interactions, and organization of microtubule filaments in neuronal dendrites. This leads to interesting questions about building stochastic and continuous models for these processes, about parameter estimation and identifiability based on limited experimental data, and about appropriate measures for analyzing complex simulated and experimental datasets.
Up-to-date information about my research can be found here: https://services.math.duke.edu/~ciocanel/.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
·
2020 - Present
Mathematics,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Publications
Enhancing generalizability of model discovery across parameter space with multi-experiment equation learning (ME-EQL)
Preprint · June 10, 2025 Link to item CiteCharacterizing symmetry transitions in systems with dynamic morphology.
Journal Article Mathematical biosciences · June 2025 The accurate quantification of symmetry is a key goal in biological inquiries because symmetry can affect biological performance and can reveal insights into development and evolutionary history. Recently, we proposed a versatile measure of symmetry, trans ... Full text CiteMinimal Mechanisms of Microtubule Length Regulation in Living Cells.
Journal Article Bulletin of mathematical biology · April 2024 The microtubule cytoskeleton is responsible for sustained, long-range intracellular transport of mRNAs, proteins, and organelles in neurons. Neuronal microtubules must be stable enough to ensure reliable transport, but they also undergo dynamic instability ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Pairing modeling and experiment to understand microtubule behavior in healthy and injured neurons
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Pennsylvania State University · 2022 - 2027Mechanosensitivity of Membrane-Actin Cortex Adhesion
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2026RTG: Training Tomorrow's Workforce in Analysis and Applications
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Brown University ·
2017
Ph.D.
Brown University ·
2013
M.S.
Duke University ·
2012
B.S.