Sungwoo Ahns Personal Home Page

Sungwoo Ahn

I'm an associate professor at East Carolina University. Office: Austin 216. Phone: (252)737-1556. Please contact me : ahns15@ecu.edu

Mailing Address:

Department of Mathematics,
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858.

Courses Taught

MATH 1000 levels and MATH 2000 levels including Calculus .

MATH 3256 (Linear Algebra).

MATH 3307 (Mathematical Statistics I).

MATH 3331 (4331) (Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations).

MATH 4057 and MATH 6001 (Matrix Algebra).

Research Interests

My research has focused on the development and analysis of mathematical models relating to neuronal systems in the brain. One of the main goals of my work is to understand how the emergent firing patterns of neuronal networks in the brain depend on the intrinsic properties of the neurons and their underlying network architecture. More specifically, my interests are the following:

Mathematical Biology and Computational Neuroscience
Applied Dynamical Systems
Physiology of Basal Ganglia of Parkinson's Disease
Physiology of Drug/Alcohol Addiction
Olfactory Systems
Discrete Dynamical Systems
Social-Status Dependent Behavioral Decision Making

Read about my research at IUPUI Newsroom

GRANTS

AMS-Simons Research Enhancement Grants for Primarily Undergraduate Institution Faculty: Mathematical and Computational Methods to Study the Dynamics of Neuronal Systems. Role: PI, 2024-2027, $10,800 (awarded)
DHHS - National Institutes of Health (NIH): Tissue Specific Impact of Organic Cations on Mitochondrial Energy Transduction. Role: advisor (with PI: Cameron Schmidt; advisor John Cavanagh; sponsors: Kelsey Fisher-Wellman, Peter Neufer), Sept 2021 - Sept 2024, $136,167.09 (award number: F32DK127632)
ECU Teaching grant "Improving student's active mathematical learning and problem-solving skills with video modules ", PI, 2019-2020
Simons Foundation Mathematics and Physical Sciences-Collaboration Grants for Mathematicians (award number: 581290), PI, 2018-2023 (terminated due to the foundation's policy).
ECU Interdisciplinary research grant "Investigating the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral shift between opposing behaviors", co-PI, 2017-2018
ECU Teaching grant "Enhancing student's mathematical learning and writing skills", PI, 2017-2018
Korea-U.S. Science Cooperation Center "East-coastal natural science education and career development symposium for young generations", co-PI, 2018
Korea-U.S. Science Cooperation Center "East-costal science education symposium", co-PI, 2017
ECU Intramural startup funding, PI, 2015-2018

Reviewer/Referee for Professional Journals

Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems-Series B
Frontiers in Integrative Systems Neuroscience
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Frontiers in Physics
Frontiers in Psychology
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
PLOS ONE
International Journal of Neuroscience
Journal of Biological Systems
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Mathematical Reviews
Neurocomputing
Physical Review Letters
Physical Review X

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Google Scholar - Published papers and citations

30) K. Rothermich, M. Rountree, S. Ahn, C. Caldwell-Harris, M. Dannhauer (n.d.). Autism-related traits and social-pragmatic inference: evidence from the RISC video database (in preparation for publication).

29) S. Ahn, E.A. Malaia, L.L. Rubchinsky (2025). Distinct neurodynamics of functional brain networks in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia as revealed by EEG. (accepted to Clinical Neurophysiology). (IF: 1.33. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neurology).

28) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky, E.A. Malaia (2025). Distinct Modes of Functional Neural Organization in Autism: Insights from Dynamical Systems Analysis of Resting-State EEG. Biological Psychology, 109077. (IF: 1.03. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology). Link to the paper arXiv link

27) K.N. Clements, S. Ahn, C. Park, F.K. Heagy, T.H. Miller, M. Kassai, F.A. Issa (2023). Socially mediated shift in neural circuits activation regulated by synergistic neuromodulatory signaling. eNeuro 0311-23. (IF: 1.31. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience) Link to the paper

26) K. Rothermich, S. Ahn, M. Dannhauer, M.D. Pell (2022). Social appropriateness perception of dynamic interactions. Social Neuroscience 17(1):37-57. (IF: 0.95. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Social Psychology) Link to the paper

25) C. Park, L.L. Rubchinsky, S. Ahn (2021). Mathematical model of subthalamic nucleus neuron: characteristic activity patterns and bifurcation analysis. Chaos 31:113121. (IF: 0.72. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Applied Mathematics) Link to the paper

24) S.A. Orr, S. Ahn, C. Park, T.H. Miller, M. Kassai, F.A. Issa (2021). Social Experience Regulates Endocannabinoids? Modulation of Zebrafish Motor Behaviors. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. (IF: 1.2. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Behavioral Neuroscience). DOI:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.668589 Link to the paper

23) J. McDonnell, N.P. Murray, S. Ahn, S. Clemens, E. Everhart, J.C. Mizelle (2021). Examination and Comparison of Theta Band Connectivity in Left- and Right-Hand Dominant Individuals throughout a Motor Skill Acquisition. Symmetry 13(4):728 (IF: 0.37. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Computer Science). DOI: 10.3390/sym13040728 Link to the paper

22) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2020). Temporal patterns of dispersal-induced synchronization in population dynamics. Journal of Theoretical Biology 490:110159 (IF: 0.71. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Agricultural and Biological Sciences). Link to the paper

21) E.A. Malaia, S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2019). Dysregulation of temporal dynamics of synchronous neural activity in adolescents on autism spectrum. Autism Research 13(1):24-31 (IF: 1.62. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience). Link to the paper

20) A.M. McCane, S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky, S.S. Janetsian-Fritz, D.N. Linsenbardt, C.L. Czachowski, C.C. Lapish (2018). COMT inhibition alters cued-evoked oscillatory dynamics during alcohol drinking in the rat. ENEURO. 0326-18 (IF: 1.72. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0326-18.2018. Link to the paper

19) S. Ahn, S.E. Zauber, R.M. Worth, T. Witt, L.L. Rubchinsky (2018). Neural synchronization: average strength vs. temporal patterning. Clinical Neurophysiology 129:842-844 (IF: 1.56. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neurology). DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.01.063. Link to the paper

18) C. Park, K.N. Clements, F.A. Issa, S. Ahn (2018). Effects of social experience on the habituation rate of zebrafish startle escape response: Empirical and computational analyses. Front Neural Circuits 12:7 (IF: 2.17. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience). DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2018.00007. Link to the paper

17) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2017). Potential Mechanisms and Functions of Intermittent Neural Synchronization. Front Comput Neurosci 11:44 (IF: 1.08. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience). DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2017.00044. Link to the paper

16) T. Miller, K. Clements, S. Ahn, C. Park, E.H. Ji, F.A. Issa (2017). Social status-dependent shift in neural circuit activation affects decision-making. J Neurosci 37 (8) 2137-2148 (IF: 4.47. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience) (Highlighted by PNAS Journal Club). DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1548-16.2017. Link to the paper

15) S. Ahn, S.E. Zauber, R.M. Worth, L.L. Rubchinsky (2016). Synchronized Beta-Band Oscillations in a Model of the Globus Pallidus - Subthalamic Nucleus Network under External Input. Front Comput Neurosci 10:134 (IF: 1.08. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience). Link to the paper

14) W. Just, S. Ahn (2016). Lengths of attractors and transients in neuronal networks with random connectivities. SIAM J Discrete Math 30(2): 912-933 (IF: 0.86. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Mathematics). Link to the paper

13) S. Ratnadurai-Giridhara, S.E. Zauber, R.M. Worth, T. Witt, S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2016). Temporal patterning of neural synchrony in the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease. Clin Neurophysiol 127:1743-1745 (IF: 1.56. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neurology).Link to the paper

12) S. Ahn, S.E. Zauber, R.M. Worth, T. Witt, L.L. Rubchinsky (2015). Interaction of synchronized dynamics in cortical and basal ganglia networks in Parkinson's disease. Eur J Neurosci 42(5):2164-2171 (IF: 1.76. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neuroscience).Link to the paper

11) L.L. Rubchinsky, S. Ahn, C. Park (2014). Dynamics of desynchronized episodes in intermittent synchronization. Front Phys 2:38 (IF: 0.52. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Mathematical Physics).Link to the paper

10) S.E. Zauber, S. Ahn, R.M. Worth, L.L. Rubchinsky (2014). Oscillatory neural activity of anteromedial Globus Pallidus internus in Tourette syndrome. Clin Neurophysiol pii: S1388-2457(14)00012-1 (IF: 1.56. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Neurology).Link to the paper

9) S. Ahn, J. Solfest, L.L. Rubchinsky (2014). Fine temporal structure of cardiorespiratory synchronization. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 306(5):H755-763 (IF: 1.61. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine).Link to the paper

8) S. Ahn, D. Linsenbardt, C. Lapish, L.L. Rubchinsky (2013). Repeated injections of D-Amphetamine evoke rapid and dynamic changes in phase synchrony between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Front Behav Neurosci 7:92 (IF: 1.75. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Behavioral Neuroscience). Link to the paper

7) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2013). Short desynchronization episodes prevail in synchronous dynamics of human brain rhythms. Chaos 23, 013138 (IF: 0.72. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Applied Mathematics). Link to the paper

6) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky, C. Lapish (2013). Dynamical reorganization of synchronous activity patterns in prefrontal cortex-hippocampus networks during behavioral sensitization. Cerebral Cortex 24(10):2553-2561 (IF: 3.89. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience). (doi: 10.1093/cercor/bht110). Link to the paper

5) S. Ahn, W. Just (2012). Digraphs vs. dynamics in discrete models of neuronal networks. Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems Series B 17(5):1365-1381 (IF: 0.86. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics). Link to the paper

4) S. Ahn, C. Park, L.L. Rubchinsky (2011). Detecting the temporal structure of intermittent phase-locking. Phys. Rev. E 84, 016201 (IF: 0.98. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Condensed Matter Physics). Link to the paper

3) S. Ahn, B. Smith, A. Borisyuk, D. Terman (2010). Analyzing neuronal networks using discrete-time dynamics. Physica D 239, 515-528 (IF: 0.83. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Condensed Matter Physics). Link to the paper

2) W. Just, S. Ahn, D. Terman (2008). Minimal attractors in digraph system models of neuronal networks. Physica D 237, 3186-3196 (IF: 0.83. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Condensed Matter Physics). Link to the paper

1) D. Terman, S. Ahn, X. Wang, W. Just (2008). Reducing neuronal networks to discrete dynamics. Physica D 237(3), 324-338 (IF: 0.83. Ranked as Q1 quartile in Condensed Matter Physics). Link to the paper

Book Chapters and Other Publications

8) (Book Chapter) L.L. Rubchinsky, C. Park, S. Ahn (2020). Fine Temporal Structure of Synchronization of Neural Oscillations in the Basal Ganglia in Parkinson's Disease. In: Jaeger D., Jung R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY Link to the book

7) (Book Chapter) Ahn S, Park C, Rubchinsky LL (2019). Neural synchronization in Parkinson?s disease on different time-scales. In: Cutsuridis V. (eds) Multiscale Models of Brain Disorders. Springer Series in Cognitive and Neural Systems, vol 13. Springer, Cham. Link to the book

6) (Book Chapter) L.L. Rubchinsky, C. Park, S. Ahn (2017) Dynamics of Intermittent Synchronization of Neural Activity. In: Advances in Dynamics, Patterns, Cognition. S. Igor, y A. Pikovsky, N.F. Rulkov, L.S. Tsimring (eds.) Link to the book

5) (Abstract) L.L. Rubchinsky, S. Ahn (2015). Short desynchronization epochs in neural synchronization: detection, mechanisms, and functions. BMC Neuroscience 16 (Suppl 1):P3 (IF: 1.12. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Neuroscience). (DOI:10.1186/1471-2202-16-S1-P3)Link to the paper

4) (Abstract) S. Ahn, S.E. Zauber, R.M. Worth, L.L. Rubchinsky (2014). The response of the subthalamo-pallidal networks of the Basal Ganglia to oscillatory cortical input in Parkinson's disease. BMC Neuroscience 15 (Suppl 1):P57 (IF: 1.12. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Neuroscience). (DOI:10.1186/1471-2202-15-S1-P57). Link to the paper

3) (Abstract) S. Ahn, L.L. Rubchinsky (2013). Fine temporal structure of neural synchronization. BMC Neuroscience 14 (Suppl 1):P336 (IF: 1.12. Ranked as Q2 quartile in Neuroscience). (DOI:10.1186/1471-2202-14-S1-P336). Link to the paper

2) (Book Chapter) W. Just, S. Ahn, D. Terman (2013) Neuronal Networks: A Discrete Model. In: Mathematical Concepts and Methods in Modern Biology. R. Robeva and T. Hodge (eds.) Link to the book

1) Ph.D. Thesis of Sungwoo Ahn (2010). Transient and attractor dynamics in models for odor discrimination. Link to my thesis