Lorena Bociu

Lorena Bociu is a Professor and Associate Department Head for Academic Affairs in the Department of Mathematics at North Carolina State University's College of Sciences. She joined NC State as an Assistant Professor in 2011, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017, and became a full Professor in 2022. She was appointed Associate Department Head in August 2024. Bociu was named an NC State University Faculty Scholar in 2016, recognizing her as a top early- and mid-career faculty member pursuing research to solve society's most pressing problems.

Bociu's research focuses on Analysis and Control of Partial Differential Equations with applications in nonlinear wave equations, fluid-structure interactions, fluid-solid mixtures, and multiscale interface couplings of Partial and Ordinary Differential Equations. Her work has significant applications in understanding the development of glaucoma and other biomedical problems. She is a member of the Control, Optimization and Modeling research group, the Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations and Analysis faculty research group, and the Nonlinear Analysis Thematic Group.

Bociu's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on multiscale modeling, particularly in tissue perfusion, poroelasticity, and fluid-structure interactions. Her work combines rigorous mathematical analysis with practical applications in biomedical engineering and mechanics. She has developed novel approaches for coupling different types of differential equations to model complex biological systems.

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) 2019
• NC State University Faculty Scholar 2016-present
• NC State University Equity for Women Award (Faculty) 2016
• Invited Member to Sigma Xi The Scientific Research Honor Society 2020
• University of Virginia Excellence in Scholarship in Sciences and Engineering 2008

Bociu has secured significant research funding including an NSF DMS CAREER Award (2016-2021) for 'Control and Sensitivity Analysis for Fluid-Elasticity Interactions and Fluid-Solid Mixtures,' and serves as PI for an NSF DMS Collaborative Research project (2021-2024) on 'Analysis and Control in Multi-Scale Interface Coupling between Deformable Porous Media and Lumped Hydraulic Circuits.' She also serves as co-PI for the NSF Infrastructure MathCREW project focused on Mathematical Connectivity through Research and Equity for Women. Bociu is active in the academic community through the NCSU Differential Equations and Nonlinear Analysis Seminar and SEARCDE conferences.