I'm currently a postdoc (Courant Instructor/Assistant Professor) at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences associated with New York University.
My work broadly pursues using mathematics to understand how biological systems function because of randomness rather than in spite of it. Details on my specific interests can be found below.
Molecular motors & microtubules
Teams of motor proteins perform diverse tasks such as carrying cargo enormous distances and coordinating mitosis. These motors behave quite randomly as individuals yet unite harmoniously enough for cells to rely on.
How does the randomness of individual motors affect their ability to function as a team?
Collaborators: Jim Keener, Michael Vershinin, Alexey Khodjakov.
Related work
CE Miles, SD Lawley, JP Keener
O Osunbayo, CE Miles, BJ Reddy, JP Keener, MD Vershinin
CE Miles, JP Keener
Ligand & receptor signaling
Cells send signals by releasing particles (ligands) that diffuse around in search of targets (receptors), an inherently random process.
In this realm, I have worked on how dynamics of the receptors (e.g. themselves diffusing) helps the search process.
Collaborators: Sean Lawley, Alan Lindsay.
Related work
SD Lawley, CE Miles
SD Lawley, CE Miles
Actin dynamics
I'm currently working on understanding how richly stochastic and dynamic chemical and mechanical cues intertwine to regulate actin networks, especially during cell protrusions.
Collaborators: Alex Mogilner, Erik Welf, Gaudenz Danuser.
Related work
Other publications
CE Miles, JP Keener
CE Miles, I Jouny, G Gordon
Teaching
In Fall 2019, I'm teaching MATH-UA 122-005: Calculus 2.
Spring 2019 MATH-UA 211 Math for Econ 1
Fall 2018 MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
Summer 2018 Math 3150 PDEs for Engineers
Spring 2017 Math 1180 Prob & Stats for Biologists (lab)
Fall 2016 Math 1170 Calc for Biologists (lab)
Summer 2016 Math 3140 Vector Calculus & PDEs
Spring 2016 Math 1321 Accelerated Engineering Calc II
Fall 2015 Math 2250 ODEs & Linear Algebra
Spring 2015 Math 1320 Engineering Calculus II
Fall 2014 Math 1310 Engineering Calculus I
Miscellany
As a first-generation college student, I'm passionate about scientific outreach, especially to children and underrepresented populations.
In recent years, I was a Science Communication Fellow and participated in the NSF INCLUDES program for incarcerated youth.
In the rare instances of spare time from all of the above, you might find me: searching for vegan food, rolling for initiative, or complaining about my extremely needy cat, Piper.