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prof.dr. PJA (Peter) van Heijster

prof.dr. PJA (Peter) van Heijster

Professor/Chairholder Applied Mathematics

Biography

Biography

Background

Prof. dr. Peter van Heijster was a PhD student in applied mathematics at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) under the supervision of Prof. Dr. A. Doelman. In 2009, he received his degree from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Following graduation, he was awarded a NWO Rubicon fellowship to conduct two years of postdoctoral research at Brown University in the USA under the supervision of Prof. B. Sandstede. He then worked as a postdoctoral associate at Boston University in the USA before commencing in august 2012 at QUT as an assistant, and later associate, professor. In September 2020 he started at the WUR as the Chair of Mathematics in Biometris.

Research

Dr van Heijster is a applied analyst and his research focusses on nonlinear dynamics, and in particular on understanding pattern formation. The aim of his research is to get a better understanding of the pattern formation processes in paradigmatic mathematical models and to apply the new insights to more biologically-realistic models. He is particularly interested in the theoretical and mathematical underpinnings of the effects of heterogeneities on pattern formation processes.                

Research interests

  • pattern formation
  • nonlinear dynamics
  • singular perturbation techniques
  • canard theory
  • stability theory
  • Evan’s functions
  • renormalization group methods
  • center manifold reductions
  • travelling waves
  • cell migration & differentiation
  • predator-prey models

Ancillary activities - prof.dr. PJA (Peter) van Heijster

Ancillary activities
  • NDNS+ cluster (1-7-2020/30-6-2026)
    Partner Investigator op het onderzoeksproject DP190102545||New mathematics for understanding complex patterns in the natural sciences||Het project is administrated through Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
  • Platform Wiskunde Nederland (PWN) (1-9-2020/31-12-2099)
    Instituut vertegenwoordiger van de WUR in commissie Onderzoek; tevens lid van het dagelijks bestuur van deze commissie
  • 4TU.AMI (4TU Applied Mathematics Instituut) (1-9-2020/30-6-2026)
  • NWO (15-6-2022/30-6-2028)
    lid van de Tafel Wiskunde
About

Personal information

Address

Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, WAGENINGEN

Building

Radix Westvleugel, 107, W4.Ca.011

Secretary

+31317484085

Expertise

Mathematics, Differential equations, Dynamic systems, Analysis, Modeling, Partial differential equations, Patterns, Bifurcation analysis

Subdivision

Mathematical and Statistical Methods - Biometris