Jeff Anderson

Jeff Anderson is a Professor of Mathematics and Associate Chair in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He also serves as Co-Director of the Center for Applied Mathematics & Statistics. His academic career spans over three decades with appointments at institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Stout (as Founding Dean of the College of STEM) and Winona State University (as Department Chair). Anderson holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Iowa State University (1989) and a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Morris (1984). His research focuses on nonlinear diffusion models, ecological threshold phenomena, and mathematical biology, with collaborations in river ecosystem studies and tumor-induced capillary growth modeling.

Education: Ph.D. Applied Mathematics (Iowa State, 1989), B.A. Mathematics (Minnesota Morris, 1984). Notable awards include the Thielman Award (1989), IPFW Sigma Xi Researcher of the Year (2017), and University Teaching Award (1988). He has advised over 20 graduate and undergraduate research projects across multiple institutions.

Research interests include analytical studies of nonlinear PDEs, ecological modeling, and collaborations with environmental scientists. His recent work examines regime shifts in river ecosystems using 75+ year datasets and develops mathematical frameworks for porous medium equations with memory effects. He has secured over $5M in grants, including NSF-funded ecological threshold studies and industry collaborations like Vision Menu Inc.'s algorithm development.

Administrative leadership includes interim deanships, STEM program development, and service in national organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission and American Association of State Colleges & Universities. His teaching contributions include curriculum innovation and outreach programs for K-12 STEM education.