Assistant Professor
Physics Department
Grinnell College
1116 8th Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
breenbar@grinnell.edu
641-269-9957
EDUCATION
2003 Ph.D. in physics, minor in neuorscience
Georgia Institute of Technology
Thesis Topic: “Computational nonlinear dynamics: Monostable stochastic resonance and a bursting neuron model,” Dr. John F. Lindner, advisor
1997 B.S. in physics, summa cum laude
Georgia Institute of Technology
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2014-present Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
3/2011-7/2014 Research Fellow
Auckland Bioengineering Institute
University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Computational modeling of asthma mechanisms.
3D finite element model of human airway asthmatic remodeling that incorporates active and passive mechanics of constituent layers.
Multiscale model of airway hyper-responsiveness that incorporates effect of asthmatic remodeling on whole-lung impedance
2006-12/2010 Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Physics
University of Portland
Portland, OR
2004-2006 Post-doctoral Fellow
Department of Physiology
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Research and analysis of the role of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in rhythmogenesis in the mammalian spinal cord; computational modeling of central pattern generators and phase relationships in the spinal cord. This NIH-funded fellowship also emphasized science pedagogy, and included training and teaching opportunities.
2004 Adjunct Faculty
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, GA
2003-2004 Adjunct Faculty
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biological Sciences
Southern Polytechnic State University
Marietta, GA
AWARDS
2000 Gilbert F. Amelio Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology
In recognition of graduate academic excellence
1997-2000 Presidential Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology
In recognition of undergraduate academic excellence
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
Introductory Physics, Calculus-based ( Lecture)
Introductory Physics, Calculus-based (Workshop)
Introductory Physics Labs
Quantum Mechanics
University of Auckland, Department of Mathematics
Great Ideas Shaping Our World (General Education course)
University of Portland
Introductory Physics, Calculus-based
Introductory Physics, Algebra-based
Introductory Physics Labs
Thermal and Statistical Physics
Classical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
University of Portland Undergraduate Thesis Advising
Spring 2009 Patrick Odenthal
“Experimental Observation of Solitons in a Hydromechanical Array of One-way Coupled Oscillators”
Agnes Scott College
Introductory Physics Labs
Biophysics
Southern Polytechnic State University
Introductory Physics, Calculus-based
Introductory Physics Labs
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Computational nonlinear dynamical systems
Airway hyper-responsiveness and whole-lung impedance
Stochastic resonance
Computational neuroscience
PUBLICATIONS (*undergraduate co-author)
B. Breen, J.G. Rix*, S.J. Ross*, Y. Yu*, J.F. Lindner, et al., “Harvesting wind energy to detect weak signals using mechanical stochastic resonance” Physical Review E, 94: 062205 (2016).
B. Ma, B. Breen, J.H.T. Bates, “Influence of parenchymal heterogeneity on airway- parenchymal interdependence,” Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 188(2), 94- 101(2013).
B. Breen, G. Donovan, J. Sneyd, M. Tawhai, “Quantifying parenchymal tethering in a finite element simulation of a human lung slice under bronchoconstriction,” Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 183(2): 85-90 (2012).
B. Breen, A. Doud*, J. Grimm*, A. Tanasse*, S. Tannasse*, J. Lindner, K. Maxted*, “Electronic and mechanical realizations of one-way coupling in one and two dimensions,” Physical Review E, 83: 037601 (2011)
J. Lindner, K. Patton*, P. Odenthal*, J. Gallagher*, B. Breen, “Experimental observation of soliton propagation and annihilation in a hydromechanical array of one-way coupled oscillators,” Physical Review E, 78: 066604 (2008)
B. Breen, C. Weidert*, J. Lindner, L.M. Walker*, K. Kelly*, E. Heidtmann*, “Invitation to embarrassingly parallel computing,” American Journal of Physics, 76(4/5): 347-352 (2008)
B. Breen, W. Gerken, R. Butera, “Hybrid Integrate-and-Fire Model of a Bursting Neuron,”
Neural Computation, 15, 2843-2862 (2003).
J. Lindner, B. Breen, M. Wills, A. Bulsara, W. Ditto, “Monostable Array Enhanced Stochastic Resonance,” Physical Review E, 63, 051107 (2001)
J. Lindner, J. Mason, J. Neff, B. Breen, A. Bulsara, W. Ditto, “Noninvasive Control of Stochastic Resonance,” Physical Review E, 63, 041107 (2001)
INVITED TALKS
“Harvesting wind energy to detect weak signals using mechanical stochastic resonance,” (2017)
Luther College, Deborah, Iowa (2017)
“Invitation to embarrassingly parallel computing,” (2010)
“High Performance Computing” Focus Session, American Association of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting, Portland, OR
“Experimental observation of solitons in a hydromechanical array of one-way coupled oscillators,” (2009)
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR
“Novel Dynamics of One-Way Coupling,” (2008)
American Physical Society Northwest Section Meeting, Portland, OR
Linfield College Science Colloquium, McMinnville, OR
Reed College Physics Seminar, Portland, OR
“A Hybrid Neuron Model: A Better Way to Simulate Bursting Neurons,” (2007)
Pacific Northwest Association for College Physics Meeting, Vancouver, WA
POSTERS
Y. Yu*, B. Breen, J. Lindner, "Computational Mechanical Stochastic Resonance." American Physical Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2017)
J. Rix*, B. Breen, J. Lindner, "Experimental Mechanical Stochastic Resonance." American Physical Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2017)
B. Breen, G. Donovan, J. Sneyd, M. Tawhai. “A five-layer finite element model for simulation of passive and active airway wall mechanics.” Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA (2013)
B. Breen, G. Donovan, J. Sneyd, M. Tawhai. “Sensitivity analysis of factors contributing to airway hyper-responsiveness using a multiscale model of human airway dynamics.” American Thoracic Society International Conference, Philadelphia, PA (2013)
B. Breen, G. Donovan, M. Tawhai, J. Sneyd “Quantifying the magnitude and spatial extent of the parenchymal tethering force in a quasi-static finite element simulation of a human lung slice under agonist challenge,” American Thoracic Society International Conference, San Francisco, CA (2012)
A. Doud *, B. Breen, J. Grimm, A. Tanasse, S. Tanasse, J. Lindner, K. Maxted “Nonlinear dynamics of an electronic model of one-way coupling in one and two dimensions,” American Physical Society Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX (2011)
K. Maxted, J. Lindner, B. Breen “Two-dimensional, one-way coupled arrays,” American Physical Society Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2010)
P. Odenthal*, J. Lindner, B. Breen “Experimental observation of soliton annihilation in a hydromechanical array of one-way oscillations,” American Physical Society Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA (2009)
C. Weidert*, B. Breen, J. Lindner, “Characterizing soliton behavior in noise- mediated one-way coupled oscillators,” American Physical Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2008)
C. Weidert*, B. Breen, “Noise-mediated spatiotemporal patterns in one-way coupled oscillators,” Murdock College Science Research Conference, Salem, OR (2007)
UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Faculty Mentor, Science Peer Mentor Program, GC 2017
Web Manager for the Physics Dept., GC 2016-present
Faculty Mentor, Women in Physics, GC 2014-present
Web Manager for the Lung Group, ABI 2013
Organize weekly journal club for Lung 2013
Group Summer Research Assistants, ABI
Faculty Sponsor of the Physics Club, UP 2009-2010
Organize Physics Club demonstrations for
UP Activities Fair and Founders Day
Organize Departmental Colloquia, UP 2009 – 2010
Web Manager for the Physics Dept., UP 2008 - 2010
Organize weekly social events/seminars 2008 - 2010
for Summer Research Assistants, UP
Building Community Team Leader, UP 2006 – 2010
(Freshman Day of Service)
Family of Friends volunteer, Portland 2007-2010
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Physical Society
American Association of Physics Teachers National Society of Black Physicists
REFERENCES
Dr. Charles Cunningham Dr. Jacob Willig-Onwuachi
Professor - Department Chair Associate Professor
Physics Department Physics Department
Grinnell College Grinnell College
1116 Eighth Avenue 1116 Eighth Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112 Grinnell, IA 50112
cunningh@grinnell.edu willig@grinnell.edu
Dr. Eliza Kempton Dr. John F. Lindner
Assistant Professor Professor of Physics
Department of Physics The Moore Professor of Astronomy
Grinnell College The College of Wooster
1116 Eighth Avenue 1189 Beall Avenue
Grinnell, Iowa 50112 Wooster, OH 44691
kemptone@grinnell.edu jlindner@wooster.edu
Dr. Stephanie Salomone Associate Professor Department of Mathematics University of Portland 5000 Willamette Blvd Portland, OR 97203 salomone@up.edu