Education

• Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Concentration in Computational Mathematics, 2001, North Carolina State University ["Patterns of air flow and particle deposition in the diseased human lung”; Adviser: Prof. Michael Shearer]
• BA in Mathematics, 1994, Bryn Mawr College

Research Interests

Segal's research area is in the use of computational solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations to answer questions in medicine and biology. Currently, my most active area of research involves developing a models for the healing of a tissue wound in order to understand the complex biochemical and cellular processes which are involved in the mechanics of wound healing. We are hopeful that mathematical models will shed light on which processes are most important in healing and explain why negative outcomes are observed. She also work on exploring airflow patterns in the human respiratory system using computational fluid dynamics. Many questions are unanswered regarding the importance of inter-individual differences in anatomy on flow and particle deposition, the impact of nasal surgery on olfaction, the optimization of drug delivery via the nose or lungs, and the impact of environmental air pollution on respiratory and systemic health.

Select Publications

• RA Segal, RF Diegelmann, KR Ward, A Reynolds “A Differential Equation Model of Collagen Accumulation in a Healing Wound” Bulletin of Mathematical Biology. 2012(74):2165–2182
• NB Menke, JW Cain, DM Chan, RA Segal, TM Witten, DG Bonchev, RF Diegelmann, KR Ward. An In Silico Approach to the Analysis of Acute Wound Healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2010(18): 105–113.
• GJM Garcia, JD Schroeter, RA Segal, J Stanek, GL Foureman, JS Kimbell. Dosimetry of nasal uptake of soluble and reactive gases: a first study of inter-human variability. Inhalation Toxicology. 2009, 21(7): 607–618.
• RA Segal, GM Kepler, JS Kimbell. Effects of Differences in Nasal Anatomy on Airflow Distribution: A Comparison of Four Individuals At Rest. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 2008(36): 1870-1882.
• J.S. Kimbell, R.A. Segal, B Asgharian, B.A. Wong, J.D. Schroeter, J.P Southall, C.J. Dickens, G Brace, F.J. Miller. “Characterization of Deposition from Current Nasal Spray Devices Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of the Human Nasal Passages.” J. of Aerosol Medicine. 2007(20): 59-74.
• D. Wexler, R.A. Segal, J.S. Kimbell. “Aerodynamic effects of inferior turbinate reduction – Computational fluid dynamics simulation” Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. 2005(131): 1102-1107.

Affiliations

• Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics
• Society of Mathematical Biology
• Association of Women in Mathematics

Professional Activities

• Elected Clerk and Executive Committee Member for Association of Women in Mathematics (2009-2014)