Daniel Forger

Roles & Affiliations: Daniel Forger is the Robert W. and Lynn H. Browne Professor in Science and Director of the Mathematical Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics (MCAIM) at the University of Michigan. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Mathematics, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and neuroscience.

Education:

• M.S. in Mathematics, Harvard University (1999)
• Ph.D. in Mathematics, New York University (2003)

Research Interests: Forger’s work spans mathematical biology, circadian rhythms, sleep physiology, and dynamical systems. His research develops algorithms and models to analyze real-world data from wearables and sensors, addressing topics like jet lag mitigation, medical intern sleep patterns, and circadian disruption effects. Notably, he created an app to combat sleep issues during social distancing and explored the neuroscience of musical performance through mathematical analysis.

Key Contributions:

• Developed mathematical frameworks for circadian phase estimation using wearable devices
• Examined the interplay between sleep deprivation and mood in healthcare workers
• Advanced understanding of circadian rhythms via large-scale biological models

Awards & Recognition:

• Robert W. and Lynn H. Browne Professorship in Science
• Featured in SIAM News for research on math-music-neuroscience intersections (2018)
• Recipient of significant research recognition for circadian rhythm studies

Labs & Teams: Directs the MCAIM, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in applied mathematics and computational biology.