Marshall Hampton

Marshall Hampton is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Minnesota Duluth, part of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Washington (2002) and a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Stanford University (1994). His academic career includes positions as Assistant Professor (2005-2011), Associate Professor (2011-2016), and Professor (2016-present) at UMD, along with visiting positions at institutions in China, France, and South Africa.

• Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (2002)
• Thesis: Concave Central Configurations in the Four-Body Problem
• Advisor: C. Robin Graham
• B.S., Mathematics and Honors in Physics, Stanford University (1994)
• Honors Thesis: On the electronic structure, magnetism, and spectroscopy of manganese catalase enzyme models

Hampton's primary research interests span Mathematical Biology/Bioinformatics, Dynamical Systems, Celestial Mechanics, Vortex Dynamics, Convex Geometry, and Computational Algebra and Geometry. His work bridges pure mathematics with biological applications, particularly in the areas of nectar biochemistry, trypanosome biology, and celestial mechanics. He has developed mathematical models for hibernation physiology, RNA processing in parasites, and plant-pollinator interactions. His interdisciplinary approach combines computational methods with theoretical frameworks to address complex biological questions.

Hampton's research output shows a clear trend toward interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly between mathematics and biology. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in both theoretical mathematics (central configurations in celestial mechanics) and applied bioinformatics (RNA processing in trypanosomes, nectar biochemistry). The mathematical techniques he employs range from algebraic geometry and dynamical systems to statistical modeling and computational algorithms. His work often involves close collaboration with biologists, reflecting his commitment to solving real-world scientific problems through mathematical approaches.

• University of Minnesota Informatics Institute Transdisciplinary Fellowship (2015)
• Swenson College of Science and Engineering Young Teacher Award (2011)
• Red Socks Award, SIAM Dynamical Systems meeting (2007)
• University of Washington NSF VIGRE Graduate Fellowship (1999-2001)

Hampton has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, with projects spanning mathematical biology, celestial mechanics, and computational mathematics. His research has been supported by multiple NSF grants (as co-PI on projects related to plant biology), NIH grants (focusing on trypanosome biology), and other funding sources. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies for the Mathematics Department (2020-2023) and on the SCSE Executive Committee (2016-2022).

Hampton is actively involved in the Sage mathematical software project and has developed educational materials including "Mathematical Foundations of Bioinformatics" and "Introduction to Differential Equations with Sage." He has organized departmental demonstrations for UMD Science Day and participated in "Math on a Stick" at the Minnesota State Fair, demonstrating his commitment to mathematics education and public outreach.