I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). I am also an affiliated faculty member for the Integrative Neuroscience Graduate Program and the Faculty Director for the TechWise Program (a diversity, equity, and inclusion program in collaboration with Google, TalentSprint, and several other US academic institutions) here at UNR. For more details, see the TechWise Website.

Apply for TechWise Cohort 3: Applications Due *Jan 30*, 2024

My research interests are in mathematical biology, applied probability and statistics, networks (particularly in neuroscience), and population and evolutionary genetics. I develop and analyze mathematical models to understand the roles of stochasticity, structure, and evolution in shaping the dynamics of biological systems. My current research projects include methods for complexity reduction in stochastic network models, studying contagion dynamics on adaptive networks, studying sleep-wake regulatory networks in the brain, stochastic models of carcinogenesis, and related work. See the links above for more information.

Prior to UNR, I had three postdoctoral positions: with the Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University, the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (Ohio State University) and at the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications (University of Minnesota). I completed my Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics at Cornell University under the supervision of Rick Durrett.

Contact Information

Department of Mathematics & Statistics
University of Nevada, Reno
1664 N Virginia St, DMSC 219
Reno, NV 89557

Email: drschmidt (at) unr (dot) edu
Tel: (775) 784-4642

Slides from Department Welcome Seminar on Career Paths in Applied Math (Fall 2023)


Last update: February 1, 2024