Rodica Curtu

$Rodica Curtu, Department Chair, Math$

Contact

rcurtu@mtu.edu
906-487-2908
Fisher 302 A

Department Chair, Math

PhD, Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, 2003
MA, Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, 1999
MS, Probabilities, Statistics and Systems Reliability, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania, 1996,
BS, Mathematics and Computer Science, Valedictorian, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania, 1996,

Areas of Expertise

Computational Neuroscience
Mathematical Biology
Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
Bifurcation Theory

Recent Publications

Refereed Articles

Melland, P., Curtu R., Aminzare Z. (2025) Spike-adding mechanisms in a three-timescale system: insights from the FitzHugh-Nagumo model with periodic forcing. In revision. SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.00152v2
Bruce, A., Weber, M., Bova, A., Volkman, A., Jacobs, C., Sivakumar, K., Stutt, H., Kim, Y., Curtu, R., Narayanan N. (2024) Complementary cognitive roles for D2-MSNs and D1-MSNs during interval timing. eLife 13:RP96287, 1-25. https://elifesciences.org/articles/96287
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.96287.4
Melland, P., Curtu R. (2023) Attractor-like dynamics extracted from human electrocorticographic recordings underlie computational principles of auditory bistable perception. Journal of Neuroscience 43(18), 3294-3311. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36977581/
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1531-22.2023
Nguyen Q-A., Rinzel J., Curtu R. (2020) Buildup and bistability in auditory streaming as an evidence accumulation process with saturation. PLOS Computational Biology, 16(8): e1008152, 1-34.
https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008152
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008152
Curtu, R., Denham S. (2020) Auditory Sensing Systems: Overview. Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience (Eds. Dieter Jaeger, Ranu Jung), 1-3; doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_764-2. Springer. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-7320-6_764-2
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1006-0_764
Curtu, R., Wang, X., Brunton, B. W., Nourski, K. V. (2019). Neural signatures of auditory perceptual bistability revealed by large-scale human intracranial recordings. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(33), 6482-6497. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31189576
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0655-18.2019
Fonley, M., Mantilla, R., Curtu, R. (2019). Doing Hydrology Backwards: Analytic Solution Connecting Streamflow Oscillations at the Basin Outlet to Average Evaporation on a Hillslope. Hydrology, 6(85), doi:10.3390/hydrology6040085. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/hydrology
DOI: 10.3390/hydrology6040085
Diedrichs, D. R., Gomez, J. A., Huang, C.-S., Rutkowski, T., Curtu, R. (2018). A data-entrained computational model for testing the regulatory logic of the vertebrate unfolded protein response. Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), 29(12), 1502-1517.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29668363
(Paper selected by the MBoC Editorial Board for highlighting in the ASCB (The American Society for Cell Biology) Newsletter August 2018, vol. 41, no.8, page 28)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29668363
DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E17-09-0565. Epub 2018 Apr 18
Wijeakumar, S., Ambrose, J., Spencer, J., Curtu, R. (2016). Model-based functional neuroimaging using dynamic neural fields: probing the neural dynamics of response selection and inhibition. Journal of Mathematical Psychology (Special Issue: Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience), 76(Part B), 212-235. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29118459 MR3612737
Fonley, M., Mantilla, R., Small, S.J., Curtu, R. (2016). On the propagation of diel signals in river networks using analytic solutions of flow equations. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS), 20, 2899-2912. https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/20/2899/2016/
Curtu, R., Fonley, M. (2015). Nonlinear response in runoff magnitude to fluctuating rain patterns. Chaos, 25, 036409,1-16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25833447
(Paper selected by AIP journal editors as one that should be of great interest to reporters), MR3389842
Curtu, R., Mantilla, R., Fonley, M., Cuhna, L.K., Small, S.J., Jay, L.O., Krajewski, W.F. (2014). An integral-balance nonlinear model to simulate changes in soil moisture, groundwater, and surface runoff dynamics at the hillslope scale. Advances in Water Resources, 71, 125-139.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309170814001122
Small, S.J, Jay, L.O., Mantilla, R., Curtu, R., Cunha, L.K., Fonley, M., Krajewski, W.F. (2013). An asynchronous solver for systems of ODEs linked by a directed tree structure. Advances in Water Resources, 53, 23-32. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309170812002734
Mantilla, R., Cunha, L.K., Krajewski, W.F., Small, S.J., Jay, L.O., Fonley, M., Curtu, R. (2012). Simulation of a distributed flood control system using a parallel asynchronous solver for systems of ODEs. Proceeding Applied Simulation and Modelling / 777: Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing, 776-042. https://www.actapress.com/Abstract.aspx?paperId=454356
Curtu, R., Jorgensen, P.E. (2011). Editorial Note: Alwyn C. Scott and His Legacy in Nonlinear Science. Acta Appl. Math., Nonlinear Waves, Neural Systems and Biomathematics: Special Issue in Memory of Alwyn C. Scott, 115(1), 1–3. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10440-011-9619-5 MR2812972
Curtu, R. (2011). Folded saddle-nodes and their normal form reduction in a neuronal rate model. Mathematics and its Applications, Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3(1), 69-86.
https://doaj.org/article/62a703eb75f944cfa6dc8aec0ce3bf1a MR2818428
Curtu, R., Rubin, J. (2011). Interaction of canard and singular Hopf mechanisms in a neural model. SIAM
J. Appl. Dyn. Syst., 10(4), 1443–1479. https://dx.doi.org/10.1137/110823171 MR2873188
Curtu, R. (2010). Singular Hopf bifurcations and mixed-mode oscillations in a two-cell inhibitory neural network. Physica D, 239, 504-514. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/physica-d-nonlinear-phenomena/vol/239/issue/9 MR2595817
Curtu, R., Diedrichs, D. (2010). Small-scale modeling approach and circuit wiring of the unfolded protein response in mammalian cells. In ''Advances in Computational Biology'' (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 680; H.R. Arabnia ed.), Springer, chapter 30, 261-274.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20865509
Curtu, R., Shpiro, A., Rubin, N., Rinzel, J. (2008). Mechanisms for frequency control in neuronal competition models. SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst., 7(2), 609–649. https://dx.doi.org/10.1137/070705842 MR2421119
Shpiro, A., Curtu, R., Rinzel, J., Rubin, N. (2007). Dynamical characteristics common to neuronal competition models. Journal of Neurophysiology, 97, 462-473.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17065254
Curtu, R. (2007). Mechanisms for oscillations in a biological competition model. PAMM Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 7(1), 2030019 - 2030020.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/16177061/2007/7/1
Golomb, D., Shedmi, A., Curtu, R., Ermentrout, B. (2006). Persistent synchronized bursting activity in cortical tissues with low magnesium concentration: a modeling study. Journal of Neurophysiology, 95, 1049-1067. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16236776
Curtu, R. (2005). Nonhyperbolic singularities in a chemical model. Bulletin of The Transilvania University of Brasov, SERIES III - Mathematics. Informatics. Physics, 12(47), 47–54.
https://webbut.unitbv.ro/bulletin/Series%20III/Series%20III.html MR2404693
Curtu, R., Georgescu, A. (2005). The static bifurcation in the Gray-Scott model. Rev. Roumaine Sci. Tech. Sér. Méc. Appl., 50(1-3), 3–13. https://www.worldcat.org/title/revue-roumaine-des-sciences-techniques-serie-de-mecanique-appliquee/oclc/6979852 MR2278131
Osan, R., Curtu, R., Rubin, J., Ermentrout, B. (2004). Multiple-spike waves in a one-dimensional integrate-and-fire neural network. Journal of Mathematical Biology, 48(3), 243–274.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00285-003-0228-4 MR2056674
Curtu, R., Ermentrout, B. (2004). Pattern formation in a network of excitatory and inhibitory cells with adaptation. SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst., 3(3), 191–231 https://dx.doi.org/10.1137/030600503 MR2114734
Osan, R., Rubin, J., Curtu, R., Ermentrout, B. (2003). Traveling waves in a one-dimensional integrate-and-fire neural network with finite support connectivity. Neurocomputing, 52-54, 869–875.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/neurocomputing/vol/52/suppl/C?page=2
Curtu, R., Ermentrout, B. (2001). Oscillations in a refractory neural net. Journal of Mathematical Biology, 43(1), 81–100. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002850100089 MR1854003
Curtu, R. (2001). The static bifurcation diagram for the Gray-Scott model. International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 11(9), 2483–2491. https://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0218127401003528 MR1862635

Areas of Interest

Computational Neuroscience; Mathematical Biology; Nonlinear Dynamical Systems; Bifurcation Theory

Professonal and Academic Positions (2025)

7/2025 - Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Michigan Technological University
5-6/2025 – President of the Faculty Senate, University of Iowa
5/2024–4/2025 – Vice President of the Faculty Senate, University of Iowa
2021-2025 – UI Lead @ INMAS (Internship Network in the Mathematical Sciences), Urbana-Champaign, IL
2020-2025 – Professor, Mathematics, University of Iowa
2020-2025 – Professor, The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa
2020-2025 – Faculty Member, The Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Honors and Awards (2024-2025)

2025 – The Marion L. Huit Faculty Award, University of Iowa (The award is presented annually to a faculty member who showed “the qualities of dedication to, concern for, and interaction with students”.)
2024-2025 – BTAA Fellow, Academic Leadership Program (ALP), Big Ten Academic Alliance (ALP is an intensive professional development experience designed to address the diverse and evolving landscape of higher education. The program empowers ALP Fellows to be effective academic leaders at all levels within research universities.)
2024 – Career Impact Award, Pomerantz Career Center, University of Iowa (This award recognizes faculty, staff, students, and business partners who “have gone above and beyond to provide Hawkeyes with career resources, guidance, and opportunities in support of career success.”)
2021 & 2025 – Nomination for the Collegiate Teaching Award, CLAS, University of Iowa