Andrew J. Bernoff

Andrew J. Bernoff
Professor of Mathematics (Emeritus)
Harvey Mudd College

Email: bernoff@g.hmc.edu

Research Interests

Diffusive Signaling
Swarming and Biological Aggregations
Pedestrian Motion
Swarming Behavior of Locusts
Agent-based Modelling
Applications of Dynamical Systems
Energy Driven Pattern Formation
Fluid Mechanics
Free Boundary Problems
Mixing in Fluids
Asymptotics
Thin Fluid Films and Langmuir Layers
Self-Similarity and Scaling Behavior
Stability Theory for Self-Similar Evolution Equations

Videos

Agent-Based and Continuous Models of Locust Hopper Bands presented at the SIAM Conference on Applied Dynamical Systems on May 23, 2019.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Methods for Computing First Capture Time Distributions in Models of Diffusive Absorption presented at presented at the Centro di Ricerca Matematica Ennio De Giorgi on September 24, 2018.
Energy driven pattern formation in thin fluid layers: The good, the bad and the beautiful presented at the Casa Mathematica Oaxaca on June 21, 2016.
Synchronization and Swarming of Clocks and Flocks presented at the Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics on February 15, 2014.
Open Access and Undergraduate Research presented at the Claremont Colleges Library on October 26, 2011.
A Primer of Swarm Equilibria presented at the Mathematical Biological Institute at Ohio State University on March 15, 2011.
An Introduction to Surface Tension (Or Why Raindrops are Spherical) presented at Harvey Mudd College on May 26, 2011.

Publications

Many of my papers can be found at Scholarship@Claremont.

Undergraduate Research

Webpages for some of my former students' research projects:

Miguel Velez (HMC 2021): Modelling the transition from homogeneous to columnar states in locust hopper bands
Hannah Larson (HMC 2020): Agent Based Models of Locust Foraging & Social Behavior
Quentin Barth (HMC 2019): Swarm Stability: Distinguishing between Clumps and Lattices
Daniel Schmidt (HMC 2017): Kinetic Monte Carlo Methods for Computing First Capture Time Distributions in Models of Diffusive Absorption
Jialun (Gavin) Zhang (HMC 2017): Dynamics and Clustering in Locust Hopper Bands
Alec Dunton (HMC 2016): Topological Data Analysis for Systems of Coupled Oscillators
Ryan C. Jones (HMC 2016): Hopper Bands: Locust Aggregation
Weerapat Pittayakanchit (HMC 2016): The Global Stability of the Solution to the Morse Potential in a Catastrophic Regime
Ksenia Zakirova (HMC 2015): Perturbation Dynamics on Moving Chains
Jaron P. Kent-Dobias (HMC 2014): Energy-Driven Pattern Formation in Planar Dipole-Dipole Systems
Louis Ryan (HMC 2012): Analysis of Swarm Behavior in Two Dimensions
Andrew Ronan (HMC 2011): Analytic and Numerical Studies of a Simple Model of Attractive-Repulsive Swarms
George Tucker (HMC 2008): Formation of Labyrinth Patterns in Langmuir Films
Andrew Leverentz (HMC 2008): An Integrodifferential Equation Modeling 1-D Swarming Behavior
Sheldon Logan (HMC 2006) & Wyatt Toolson (HMC 2007): Particle Model Simulations of Locust Swarms
Jacob Wintersmith (Physics, HMC 2006): Domain Relaxation in Langmuir Films
Robin Baur (HMC 2006): Rupture in Thin Films
Joseph Majkut (HMC 2006): Foraging Fruit Flies: Description of Insect Swarming
Dmitriy Kogan (HMC 2003): Pattern Formation in Diblock Copolymers
Benjamin Bryant (HMC 2003): Modelling Moving Droplets: A Precursor Film Approach
Dan Beutel (HMC 2003): Modeling Advection and Diffusion in Microchannels
Michael Gratton (HMC 2002): Mixing in Helical Pipes
Bradley Forrest (HMC 2002): Modeling Faraday Excitation of a Viscous Fluid
Anand Patil (HMC 2001): Computational Simulation of Fluid Dynamics in Thin Films
Marco Latini (HMC 2001): Mixing in Curved Pipes
Joel Miller (HMC 2000): Rates of Convergence to Self-Similar Solutions of Burgers' Equation

Miscellany

I ran the Undergraduate Faculty Program at the Park City Mathematical Institute from June 29 to July 19, 2003. The workshop was on Harmonic Analysis and Partial Differential Equations in the Undergraduate Curriculum.
My CV including a list of publications.

Personal Links

I am a strong supporter of Marriage Equality; I legally married my husband Thomas Trautmann on July 2nd, 2008.

My wedding to Thomas Trautmann on February 18th, 2004 in San Francisco.

Quotes from a class I taught compiled by a former student.

A long time ago at the double-domed institute . . .

A longer time ago in the halls of Annapolis and the heart of Romania . . .

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Last modified: September 19, 2025