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Alan Ferrenberg
Assistant Teaching Professor
Computer Science and Software Engineering

Alan M. Ferrenberg, Ph.D.

Contact Info

513-529-0381
McVey Data Science Building 381

Education

  • Ph.D., Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1989
  • M.S., Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1987
  • B.S. (With University Honors), Physics, French, Carnegie Mellon University, 1985
  • Attended Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne Switzerland, 1983-84, 1985-86

Research Bio

Dr. Ferrenberg is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. He served as Miami’s Deputy Chief Information Officer in the IT Services division for 11 years before joining CSE in 2018.

He received his B.S. in Physics and French from Carnegie Mellon University in 1985, and his Masters and Ph.D. in Physics from Carnegie Mellon in 1987 and 1989. He attended the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland for two years during this time. Alan’s research interests include the development of computer simulation and data analysis techniques for high-precision Monte Carlo simulations. He applies these to a simple model for magnetism with the goal of discovering and remedying the challenges that future researchers will encounter when advances in computer hardware allow for the high-precision study of more complex and realistic systems.

He has 28 publications in peer-reviewed literature in these areas. In 1992, his research on flaws in random number generators received attention from the New York Times, BBC, Nature, and American Scientist, and was named as Discover Magazine’s top science stories of the year.

Professional Experience

Aug. 2018 - present: Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering
Miami University

Dec. 2015 - present: Adjunct Professor
Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
Miami University

Jul. 2014 - present: Associate Vice President, Solution Delivery and Deputy CIO
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Aug. 2013 - present: Instructor
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Miami University

Jan. 2011 - May 2011: Instructor
Department of Computer and Information Technology
Miami University, Middletown Campus

Dec. 2010 – present: Graduate Faculty member (level B)
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Miami University

Jul. 2012 - Jun. 2014: Associate Vice President and Deputy CIO
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Jul. 2009 - Jun. 2012: Associate Vice President, Business & Infrastructure Services and Deputy CIO
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Dec. 2008 - Jun. 2009: Interim Senior Director, Computing and Communication Services
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Dec. 2007 - Jun. 2009: Interim Deputy CIO
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Jun. 2007 - Nov. 2007: Interim Senior Director, Information Systems and Services
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Jan. 2007 - Jun. 2009: IT Planning and Budget Officer
Information Technology Services
Miami University

Feb. 2003 - Dec. 2006: Business and Financial Officer
Enterprise IT Services
University of Georgia

Jun. 2001 - Feb. 2003: Special Assistant to the CIO
Enterprise IT Services
University of Georgia

Jul. 2000 - Oct. 2001: Associate Director, Consulting and Application Support
University Computing and Networking Services
University of Georgia

Oct. 1999 - Jun. 2000: Manager, Research and Computational Science Support
University Computing and Networking Services
University of Georgia

Jan. 1996 - Sep. 1999: Academic Professional
University Computing and Networking Services
University of Georgia

Feb. 1993 - Jun. 2000: Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Georgia

Feb. 1993 - Dec. 1995: Assistant Research Scientist
University Computing and Networking Services
University of Georgia

Aug. 1992 - May 1996: Physics Instructor
Department of Evening Classes
University of Georgia

Aug. 1989 - Jan. 1993: Postdoctoral Associate
Center for Simulational Physics
University of Georgia

Teaching History

Miami University, Oxford Campus

  • Fall 2018 CSE 271: Object-Oriented Programming
  • Fall 2018 CSE443/543: High Performance Computing
  • Fall 2018 CSE 448/449: Senior Design Project
  • Spring 2018 CSE616: Simulation of Physical Systems
  • Fall 2017 CSE615: Mathematical Modeling
  • Spring 2017 CSE616: Simulation of Physical Systems
  • Spring 2016 CSE616: Simulation of Physical Systems
  • Fall 2015 CSE151: Computers, Computer Science, and Society
  • Spring 2015 CSE151: Computers, Computer Science, and Society
  • Spring 2014 CSE151: Computers, Computer Science, and Society
  • Fall 2013 CSE151: Computers, Computer Science, and Society

Miami University, Middletown Campus

  • Spring 2011 CIT158: Foundations of Information Technology II
University of Georgia
  • PCS101/PHYS1010: Introduction to Physical Science, 9 times between Fall 1992 and Spring 1996

Academic Service

  • Have served on the Ph.D. or M.S. committees of eight graduate students.
  • Miami University Teaching/Research Appointments
    • Adjunct Professor, Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering (2015 – present)
    • Instructor, Computer Science & Software Engineering (2013 – present)
    • Instructor, Computer & Information Technology (2011)
    • Graduate faculty, Computer Science & Software Engineering (2010 – present)
  • University of Georgia Teaching/Research Appointments
    • Academic Professional (1996 – 1999)
    • Assistant Research Scientist (1993 – 1995)
    • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy (1993 – 2000)
    • Physics Instructor, Department of Evening Classes (1992 – 1996)
    • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Simulational Physics (1989 – 1993)

Standing and Ad Hoc Committee Assignments

Miami University

  • Change and Continuous Improvement Committee (IT governance): 2016; 2018, chair 2016; 2018
  • Learning Management System Steering Committee: 2014; 2018, co-chair 2015; 2018
  • University Senate: 2013; 2018
  • University Senate Sustainability Committee: ex officio, 2010; 2012
  • Telecommuting Evaluation Committee: 2009; 2010
  • Student Technology Advisory Committee: 2008; 2010
  • IT Strategic Advisory Council: 2007; 2010
  • Unclassified Staff Evaluation Revision Committee: 2007; 2009
University of Georgia
  • Data Management Exploratory Committee: 2005; 2006
  • IT Management Forum: 2003; 2006
  • Business Affairs Advisory Forum: 2003; 2006
  • Committee for Academic and Instructional Technologies: 2003; 2006
  • Data Integration Task Force: 2003; 2004
  • Task Group Chair, UGA SACS Reaccreditation/Self-Study Committee: 1999; 2000
  • Research Computing Advisory Committee: 1998; 2001

Other Leadership/Development

  • Reviewer for EDUCAUSE Review Online, 2012 2014
  • Participated in the 2013 Council on Library and Information Resources/EDUCAUSE Leading Change Institute
  • EDUCAUSE proposal reviewer: 2012 Annual, 2011 Midwest, 2011 Annual
  • Board of Directors, Benton Information Technology Solutions (student-run computer services consulting company), 2009 2011
  • Officer/Program Director, Knights of Columbus, 2008 2011
  • Project Manager, DCE/Distributed Systems, Share Inc., 1997 1998

Languages

  • English, native fluency
  • French, CEFR level B2
  • German, CEFR level B1
  • Some understanding of Swiss German dialect

Publication History

Summary

  • 43 articles (27 in refereed journals, 16 in books or conference proceedings) in fields spanning Physics, Chemistry, Horticulture, Genetics and Biology
  • 9131 article citations
  • Google Scholar h-index: 21
  • Web of Science h-index: 18
Articles in Refereed Journals
  1. A.M. Ferrenberg, J, Xu and D.P. Landau, ;Pushing the limits of Monte Carlo simulations for the three-dimensional Ising model , Phys. Rev. E, 97, 43301 (2018).
  2. M.S. Sánchez, C.J. Basten, A.M. Ferrenberg, M.A. Asmussen and J. Arnold, "Exact Sample Sizes Needed to Detect Dependence in 2 x 3 Tables", Theoretical Population Biology, 69, 111 (2006).
  3. R. Liu, A.M. Ferrenberg, L.U. Gilliland, R.B. Meagher, and M.A. Asmussen, "Detection of Deleterious Genotypes in Multigenerational Studies. III. Estimation of Selection Components in Highly Selfing Populations", Genetical Research 82, 41 (2003).
  4. J.A. Plascak, Alan M. Ferrenberg, and D.P. Landau, "Cluster Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", Phys. Rev. E, 65, 066702-1_066702-8 (2002).
  5. A.M. Ferrenberg, D.P. Landau and K. Binder, "First Order versus Second Order Interface Localization Transition of Thin Ising Films with Competing Walls", Phys. Rev. E, 58, 3353 (1998).
  6. A. Heuer, B. D&nweg and A.M. Ferrenberg, "Considerations on Correlations inShift-Register Pseudorandom Number Generators and Their Removal", Comp. Phys. Comm. 103, 1(1997).
  7. K. Binder, R. Evans, D.P. Landau and A.M. Ferrenberg, "The Interface Localization Transition in Ising Films with Competing Walls: Ginzburg Criterion and Crossover Scaling", Phys. Rev. E, 53, 5023(1996).
  8. S. Chen, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Monte Carlo Simulation of Phase Transitions in a 2-DRandom-Bond Potts Model", Phys. Rev. E, 52, 1377 (1995).
  9. A.M. Ferrenberg, D.P. Landau and R.H. Swendsen, "Statistical Errors in Histogram Reweighting", Phys. Rev. E, 51, 5092 (1995).
  10. K. Binder, D.P. Landau and A.M. Ferrenberg, "Thin Ising Films with Competing Walls: A Monte Carlo Study", Phys. Rev. E, 51, 2823, (1995).
  11. K. Binder, D.P. Landau and A.M. Ferrenberg, "Character of the Phase Transition in Thin Ising Films with Competing Walls", Phys. Rev. Lett., 74, 298 (1995).
  12. K. Binder, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Wetting and Capillary Condensation of Lattice Gases in Thin Film Geometry", Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem., 98, 340 (1994).
  13. S. Burés, M.A. Farmer, D.P. Landau, A.M. Ferrenberg and F.A. Pokorny, "Container Medium Characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Comparison with a Monte Carlo Computer Simulated Medium", Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 24, 2649 (1993).
  14. S. Burés, D.P. Landau, A.M. Ferrenberg and F.A. Pokorny, "Computer Simulation of Volume Shrinkage after Mixing Container Medium Components", J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 118, 757 (1993).
  15. S. Burés, D.P. Landau, A.M. Ferrenberg and F.A. Pokorny, "Monte Carlo Computer Simulation in Horticulture: A Model for Container Media Characterization", HortScience, 28, 1074 (1993).
  16. K. Chen, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Static Critical Behavior of Three-Dimensional Classical Heisenberg Models: A High-Resolution Monte Carlo Study", Phys Rev. B, 48, 3249(1993).
  17. K. Chen, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Monte Carlo Study of Critical Behavior in the Three-Dimensional Classical Heisenberg Ferromagnet", J. Appl. Phys., 73, 5488 (1993).
  18. A.M. Ferrenberg, Y.J. Wong and D.P. Landau, "Monte Carlo Simulations: Hidden Errors from "Good" Random Number Generators", Phys. Rev. Lett., 69, 3382 (1992).
  19. S. Chen, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Randomness Induced Second Order Transition in the Two-Dimensional Eight-State Potts Model: A Monte Carlo Study", Phys. Rev. Lett. 69, 1213 (1992).
  20. A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Monte Carlo Study of Phase Transitions in Ferromagnetic Bilayers", J. Appl. Phys., 70, 6215 (1991).
  21. A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Critical Behavior of the Three-Dimensional Ising Model: A High-Resolution Monte Carlo Study", Phys. Rev. B, 44, 5081 (1991).
  22. A.M. Ferrenberg, D.P. Landau and P. Peczak, "Monte Carlo Studies of Magnetic Critical Phenomena Using Histogram Techniques", J. Appl. Phys. 69, 6153 (1991).
  23. A.M. Ferrenberg, D.P. Landau and K. Binder, "Statistical and Systematic Errors in Monte Carlo Sampling", J. Stat. Phys. 63, 867 (1991).
  24. P. Peczak, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "High-Accuracy Monte Carlo Study of the 3d Classical Heisenberg Ferromagnet", Phys. Rev. B 43, 6087 (1991).
  25. A.M. Ferrenberg and R.H. Swendsen, "Optimized Monte Carlo Data Analysis", Phys. Rev. Lett. 63, 1195 (1989).
  26. A.M. Ferrenberg and R.H. Swendsen, "Optimized Monte Carlo Data Analysis", in Computers in Physics, Vol. 3, No. 5, (1989).
  27. A.M. Ferrenberg and R.H. Swendsen, "New Monte Carlo Technique for Studying Phase Transitions", Phys. Rev. Lett., 61, 2635 (1988).
Articles in Books and Conference Proceedings
  1. J. Xu, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, ;92 Years of the Ising Model: A High-Resolution Monte Carlo Study , J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1012, 012002 (2018).
  2. D.P. Landau, Alan M. Ferrenberg, and K. Binder, "The Ising Model as a Playground for the Study of Wetting and Interface Behavior", Braz. Jour. Phys, 30, 748 (2000).
  3. B. Foley, A.M. Ferrenberg and N.G. Adams, "Simulation of a Reacting Plasma: Preliminary Results", in "Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, IX" D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B. Sch&ttler, Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997).
  4. A.M. Ferrenberg, "The d=3 Ising Model Revisited -- On the Road to Higher Resolution", Int. J. Mod. Phys. C 7, 321 (1996).
  5. S. Burés, A.M. Ferrenberg, F.A. Pokorny, D.P. Landau, ;Computer simulation to understand physical properties of substrates , Acta horticulturae, 401, 35 (1994).
  6. K. Binder, A. Baumgärtner, A.N. Burkitt, D. Ceperley, A.M. Ferrenberg, D.W. Heermann, H.J. Herrmann, D.P. Landau, W. von der Linden, H. De Raedt, K.E. Schmidt, W. Selke, D. Stauffer and A.P. Young, "Recent Developments in the Monte Carlo Simulation of Condensed Matter" in "The Monte Carlo Method in Condensed Matter Physics: Second, Corrected and Updated Edition", K. Binder Ed. (Springer, Berlin, 1995).
  7. R.H. Swendsen, J.-S. Wang and A.M. Ferrenberg "New Monte Carlo Methods for Improved Efficiency of Computer Simulations in Statistical Mechanics" in "The Monte Carlo Method in Condensed Matter Physics: Second, Corrected and Updated Edition", K. Binder Ed. (Springer, Berlin, 1995).
  8. S. Burés, F.A. Pokorny, D.P. Landau, M.A. Farmer and A.M. Ferrenberg, "Shrinkage, Porosity Characterization and Computer Simulation of Horticultural Substrates", Acta Horticulturae, 342, 229 (1993).
  9. D.P. Landau and A.M. Ferrenberg, "A High-Resolution Monte Carlo Study of Critical Behavior: The Three-Dimensional Ising Model", J. Korean Physical Society, 26, S371 (1993).
  10. D.P. Landau and A.M. Ferrenberg, "High Resolution Monte Carlo Study of Critical Behavior in the Three-Dimensional Ising Model", in "The Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Computer Applications to Materials and Molecular Science and Engineering (CAMSE)" M. Doyama, Ed. (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1993).
  11. S. Chen, A.M. Ferrenberg and D.P. Landau, "Multi-hit Swendsen-Wang Monte Carlo Algorithm" in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, IV" D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B.Sch&ttler, Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1993).
  12. R.K. Heilmann, A.M. Ferrenberg, D.P. Landau and R.W. Gerling, "Histogram Monte Carlo Study of Phase Transitions in a Highly Degenerate System" in "Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, IV" D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B. Sch&ttler, Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1993).
  13. R.H. Swendsen, J.-S. Wang and A.M. Ferrenberg "New Monte Carlo Methods for Improved Efficiency of Computer Simulations in Statistical Mechanics" in "The Monte Carlo Method in Condensed Matter Physics", K. Binder Ed. (Springer, Berlin, 1992).
  14. A.M. Ferrenberg, "Histogram Techniques for Studying Phase Transitions", in "Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, III", D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B. Sch&ttler, Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1991).
  15. R.H. Swendsen and A.M. Ferrenberg, "Histogram Methods for Monte Carlo Data Analysis", in "Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, II", D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B. Sch&ttler,Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1989).
  16. A.M. Ferrenberg and R.H. Swendsen, "Correlation Time Measurements for the d=2 Ising Model", in "Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics, I", D.P. Landau, K.K. Mon and H.-B. Sch&ttler, Eds. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1988).

Presentation History

Invited Talks: National/International Conferences

  • "A Tale of Two Engagements: Different Paths to IT Transformation", talk given at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, Denver, CO, November 7, 2012.
  • "Data Visualization with OpenDX", at the workshop on "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, February 22, 2001.
  • "On the Bleeding Edge: Fun with DCE at the University of Georgia", talk given at the SHARE Technical Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 25, 1998.
  • "ARCHES (Academic Resources for Computing and Higher Education Services) at UGA", talk given at the SHARE Technical Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 25, 1998.
  • "On the Bleeding Edge: Fun with DCE at the University of Georgia", talk given at the SHARE Technical Conference, Atlanta, GA, August 12, 1997.
  • "The 3-d Ising Model Revisited: On the Road to Higher Resolution" at the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Seminar on New Trends in Computer Simulations of Spin Systems, Maui, HI, August 28, 1995.
  • "Stochastic Dynamics in Statistical Physics" at the "Physics Computing '93" Conference, Albuquerque, NM, June 2, 1993.
  • "Statistical and Systematic Errors in Monte Carlo Sampling", at the "Physics Computing '91" Conference, San Jose CA, June 14, 1991.
  • "Monte Carlo Studies of Magnetic Critical Phenomena Using Histogram Techniques", at the 35th Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM), San Diego, CA, November 1, 1990.
  • "High Accuracy Monte Carlo Study of 3-d Ising critical behavior", at the workshop on "Large-scale Computations in Statistical Physics", The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, February 26, 1990.
  • "Monte Carlo Studies of Phase Transitions Using Histogram Techniques", at the workshop on "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 16, 1990.
University/Industry Talks
  • "Simulations of a Reacting Plasma: Preliminary Results", University of Mainz, Germany, June 1996.
  • "A Gentle Introduction to Parallel Computing and PVM", University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, December 1995.
  • "Cluster Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms: An Update", University of Mainz, Germany, March 1995.
  • "Statistical Errors in Histogram Reweighting", Supercomputing Computations Research Institute, Florida State University, December 1994.
  • "Statistical Errors in Histogram Reweighting", University of Mainz, Germany, June 1994.
  • "Randomness Induced 1st Order Transition in the d=2, q=8 Potts Model", Virginia Tech, August 1993.
  • "Random Thoughts on Random Numbers", University of Mainz, Germany, June 1993.
  • "The Pleasures and Perils of Distributed Computing", University of Mainz, Germany, June 1993.
  • "High-resolution Studies of Critical Phenomena Using Histogram Methods", Wake Forest University, February 1993.
  • "Cluster Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", IBM Research Laboratory, Rüschlikon, Switzerland, August 1992.
  • "Randomness Induced 1st Order Transition in the d=2, q=8 Potts Model", University of Mainz, Germany, August 1992.
  • "Histogram Monte Carlo Studies of Critical Phenomena", University of Erlangen, Germany, July 1992.
  • "Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, March 1992.
  • "Histogram Monte Carlo Studies of Critical Phenomena", Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, March 1992.
  • "Lack of Self-Averaging in Monte Carlo Simulations", Carnegie Mellon University, December 1989.
  • "Innovative Monte Carlo Studies of Arbitrary State Potts Models", University of Georgia, Athens GA, May 1989.
  • "Optimal Use of Monte Carlo Data", Ecole Normale, Paris, France, February 1989.
  • "Optimal Use of Monte Carlo Data", KFA Jülich, Germany, February 1989.
  • "Optimal Use of Monte Carlo Data", University of Mainz, Germany, January 1989.
Contributed Talks/Posters: National/InternationalConferences
  • "Pushing the Limits of Monte Carlo Simulations for the 3d Ising Model", poster presented at the March 2017 Meeting of the American Physical Society, New Orleans, LA, March 2017.
  • "Parallel Computing on the IBM SP2", talk given at "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 1995.
  • "Cluster Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", talk given at "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 1994.
  • "Using Computer Simulation to Understand Container Media", poster presented at the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Nashville, TN, July 1993.
  • "Cluster Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", poster presented at STATPHYS 18, Berlin, Germany, August 1992.
  • "Optimization Techniques for the IBM RISC/6000", talk given at "Recent Developments inComputer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 1992.
  • "Hybrid Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithms", talk given at "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 1992.
  • "Monte Carlo Study of the Simple Cubic Ising Model with Competing Interactions", talk given at the 1990 Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, Atlanta, GA, November 1990.
  • "Monte Carlo Study of Phase Transitions in Ferromagnetic Bilayers", talk given at the 5th Joint MMM/Intermag Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, June 1991.
  • "Simulations of dimer models", poster presented at STATPHYS 17, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 1992.
  • "High-Accuracy Determination of Tc for the d=3 Ising Model", talk given at the March 1990 Meeting of the American Physical Society, Anaheim, CA, March 1990.
  • "Correlation Time Measurements for the d=2 Ising Model", talk given at "Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics", Center for Simulational Physics, The University of Georgia, February 1988.
  •