Dr. Yun Kang | Mathematical Biology | Best Researcher Award

Yun Kang is a distinguished Professor of Applied Mathematics at Arizona State University , specializing in mathematical biology, complex adaptive systems, and nonlinear dynamical systems ; with over 70 publications in high-impact journals , Kang’s work bridges theory and modeling to solve biological, ecological, and social questions ; a leader in mathematical research, she also champions women in STEM through mentoring and advocacy ; her cutting-edge research, funded by the NSF , explores multiscale modeling in social insects and trust dynamics in human-automation interaction ; as a dedicated educator and core faculty member at the Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational & Modeling Sciences Center , she has shaped both academic programs and future researchers .

Profile

Education

Yun Kang earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Arizona State University in 2008 , focusing on mathematical biology ; she completed an M.S. in Pure Mathematics at the University of Arizona in 2004 , with special research in random graphs ; her academic journey began with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Shanghai Jiaotong University, China , in 2002, where she concentrated on financial and computational mathematics ; this academic foundation provided a solid platform for her research into nonlinear systems and biological applications ; Kang’s education path reflects global excellence , interdisciplinary rigor , and a passion for bridging mathematics with real-world complexity .

Experience

Yun Kang’s academic career began as an Assistant Professor at ASU in 2008 , after completing her doctorate ; she advanced to Associate Professor in 2014 and became a full Professor in 2019 ; from 2016 to 2019, she served as Acting Director/Co-Director of the Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational & Modeling Sciences Center , promoting interdisciplinary collaborations ; beyond teaching, Kang holds roles as Core Faculty and Affiliated Faculty at ASU’s School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences ; her career spans leadership, research, mentorship, and advocacy for diversity in mathematical sciences ; each role reflects her commitment to both academic excellence and community empowerment .

Awards & Recognitions

Yun Kang’s excellence is reflected in her NSF-funded research grants , numerous high-impact publications , and her leadership in mathematical biology ; she’s a proud and active member of top organizations: Association for Women in Mathematics , American Mathematical Society , Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics , and Society for Mathematical Biology ; since 2009, she’s mentored young female mathematicians via the AWM mentor network ; her recognition stems from both groundbreaking research and her role as a diversity advocate in STEM ; her distinguished honors underscore her dual commitment to advancing math and empowering future scholars .

Research Interests

Yun Kang’s research bridges nonlinear dynamical systems , stochastic models , and mathematical biology ; she explores complex adaptive systems — from population dynamics , food webs , eco-epidemiology , to social insect colonies ; her NSF-funded work dissects multiscale division of labor in insect societies ; she also models trust dynamics in human-automation interactions , blending theoretical rigor with real-world relevance ; her contributions illuminate evolutionary processes , ecological interactions , and behavioral modeling ; Kang’s approach merges deep mathematical theory with empirical validation , offering new tools for biological, ecological, and social system analysis .