Last updated: 19 April 2012

Jamesina J. Simpson, Ph.D.


   

Assistant Professor

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Ph.D. 2007, B.S. 2003
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Licensed Amateur Radio Operator
Extra Class, Callsign: AB9HZ

Students:

If you are interested in enrolling in one of Prof. Simpson's courses, you may find the syllabi for her courses here.
If you are interested in joining Prof. Simpson's Computational Electrodynamics Lab, please click here for more information.

Links to Content

Contact Info Teaching Experience Refereed Conference Proceedings
Biographical Sketch Professional Society Memberships           Other Presentations
Research Interests Selected Service Links
Awards and Honors         Invited Talks Recommended Reading
Advisees and Advisee Alumni          Book Chapters           Personal
Advisee Awards Refereed Journal Publications

Email: simpson at ece dot unm dot edu
Office: Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, Room 326B
Phone: 505-277-1904
Mailing address:
        MSC01 1100
        1 University of New Mexico
        Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

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Biographical Sketch

Dr. Simpson obtained the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, in 2003 and 2007, respectively.   Her Ph.D. advisor was Prof. Allen Taflove, a pioneer of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method since 1972.   As a graduate student, Dr. Simpson was a recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, and also received fellowships, awards, and grants-in-aid from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S), IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S), McCormick School of Engineering, and Intel Corporation.   She worked through a grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Prof. Heyno Garbe's Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab at the University of Hannover, Germany in summer of 2002.   In summers of 2003 - 2006, she worked as an engineering intern at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, OR.

In August 2007, Dr. Simpson joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM) as a tenure-track assistant professor. Her research lab encompasses the application of FDTD to modeling electromagnetic phenomena at frequencies over 15 orders of magnitude (~1 Hz vs. ~600 THz). While at UNM, Prof. Simpson's research activities have been funded by Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, Intel Corporation, the Department of Energy, the UNM Research Allocations Committee, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Prof. Simpson has received a number of research and teaching awards, including a 2010 NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award (entitled "3-D Global Full-Maxwell's Equations Modeling of the Effects of a Coronal Mass Ejection on the Earth"), a 2011 Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship, and the 2011 UNM School of Engineering Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. She currently serves as associate editor of IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.
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  • 2012 Donald G. Dudley, Jr. Undergraduate Teaching Award of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society
  • 2011 IEEE-Albuquerque Outstanding Engineering Educator Award
  • 2011 UNM ECE Distinguished Researcher Award
  • 2011 UNM School of Engineering Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2011 Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship
  • 2010 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award
  • 2007 Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Northwestern University
  • 2006-07 Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering Richter Dissertation-Year Fellowship (declined due to prior NSF Graduate Fellowship)
  • 2006 IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Graduate Fellowship
  • 2005-07 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
  • 2004-05 Graduate research assistantship funded by Intel Corporation
  • 2004-05 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Graduate Research Award
  • 2003-04 Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering Murphy First-Year Graduate Fellowship
  • 2003 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium Student Paper Contest Finalist
  • 2002 German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Undergraduate Award
  • 2001-03 Undergraduate research assistantship funded by Intel Corporation
  • 2001 Summer Research Grant, Northwestern University Undergraduate Research Grants Committee
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  • Hamide Faraji, Ph.D. Student
  • Mehdi Hasan, M.S. Student
  • Monica Jaramillo (Madrid), Ph.D. Student
  • Phillip Mazzei, M.S. Student
  • Jiajun Niu, Ph.D. Candidate
  • Ryan Schlegel, M.S. Student
  • James Selander, M.S. Student
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Advisee Alumni

  • Yaxin Yu (Ph.D., July 2011), accepted a position at Singapore's Institute of High Performance Computing upon graduating.
  • Cesar Mendez-Ruiz (Ph.D., July 2011), accepted a position at Intel Corporation upon graduating.
  • Monica Jaramillo (Madrid) (M.S., July 2010, with distinction), continued in Ph.D. program upon graduating.
  • Ethan Tanner (M.S., May 2010), entered the National Nuclear Security Administration's Future Leaders Program upon graduating.
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  • Monica Jaramillo (Madrid): National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2010 - 2013), IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Pre-Doctoral Research Award (2010), IEEE-Albuquerque Outstanding Female Graduate Student Award (2010), American Association of University Women Fellowship (2009 - 2010), New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering Technical Symposium Student Presenter Award (2009)
  • Cesar Mendez-Ruiz: CONACYT scholarship (2008 - 2011), ECE Department Outstanding Graduate Student Award (Spring 2011), IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Doctoral Research Award (2011)
  • Christopher Romero: National Consortium MASINT Research (NCMR) Scholarship (2011 - 2012)
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  • Fall 2011, ECE 495/563: Computational Methods for Electromagnetics (senior undergrad / graduate course)
    Download Prof. Simpson's ECE 563 course syllabus
  • Spring 2011, ECE 561: Electrodynamics (graduate course)
    Download Prof. Simpson's ECE 561 course syllabus
  • Fall 2010, ECE 495/563: Computational Methods for Electromagnetics (senior undergrad / graduate course)
  • Spring 2010, ECE 360: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (undergraduate course)
    Download Prof. Simpson's ECE 360 course syllabus
  • Fall 2009, ECE 495/563: Computational Methods for Electromagnetics (senior undergrad / graduate course)
  • Spring 2009, ECE 360: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (undergraduate course, online and in-class sections)
  • Fall 2008, ECE 495/563: Computational Methods for Electromagnetics (senior undergrad / graduate course)
  • Spring 2008, ECE 360: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (undergraduate course)
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Professional Society Memberships

  • Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
  • Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honor Society
  • IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society
  • IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society
  • URSI (Member, Commission B)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • American Geophysical Union

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  • Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Aug. 2010 - Present.
  • Faculty Advisor, UNM SWE Chapter, Aug. 2008 - Present.
  • Women in Engineering Coordinator, IEEE Albuquerque, NM Chapter, Oct. 2008 - Aug. 2011.
  • Secretary, USNC/URSI Commission B, Jan. 2010 - Present.
  • Chair, Special Sessions Committee, IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI Radio Science Meeting, Chicago, IL, July 2012 (to be held).
  • Publicity Chair, IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI Radio Science Meeting, Chicago, IL, July 2012 (to be held).
  • Technical Program Committee Member , IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI Radio Science Meeting, Spokane WA, July 2011.
  • Conference Co-Chair, Grace Hopper New Mexico Celebration of Women in Computing Regional Conference, Oct. 14 - 15, 2010.
  • New Technology Directions Committee Member, IEEE AP-S, 2008 - 2010.
  • Education Committee Member, IEEE AP-S, 2009 - Present.
  • Special Sessions Proposed, Organized, and Chaired:
    • “Biophotonics and Nano-Photonics,” USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, January 2013 (to be held).
    • “Bioelectromagnetics,” Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Cape Town, South Africa, September 2012 (to be held).
    • “Computational Biophotonics and Nano-Photonics,” USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, January 2012.
    • “Propagation Models for VLF to SHF EM Waves," International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Torino, Italy, September 2011.
    • “Computational Biophotonics and Nano-Photonics,” USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, January 2011.
    • “Advances in Geophysical Electromagnetics, including Lightning, Space Weather, and Satellite Observations” ICEAA, Sydney, Australia, September 2010.
    • “Advances in Computational Biophotonics,” USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, January 2010.
    • “Advances in Computational Simulations for Biophotonics,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008.
    • “Emerging Techniques and Applications for FDTD Computational Modeling of Planetary Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in the ULF, ELF, and VLF bands,” North American Radio Science Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, August 2007.
  • Reviewer: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation; IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine; IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters; IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques; IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters; IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing; AGU Journal of Geophysical Research -- Space Physics.
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    1. J. J. Simpson*, “A new physics mechanism for space weather-induced ionospheric current coupling to electric power grids,” University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, April 2012.
    2. J. J. Simpson*, “A new physics mechanism for space weather-induced ionospheric current coupling to electric power grids,” University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, Jan. 2012.
    3. J. J. Simpson*, “3-D FDTD modeling of electromagnetic signal propagation in the Earth-ionosphere system: A paradigm shift from ray tracing to full-Maxwell's equations solutions,” Air Force Research Labs, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, Sept. 2011.
    4. J. J. Simpson* and J. Niu, “Multiphysics modeling of VLF-HF propagation in the earth-ionosphere system for communications, surveillance, and navigation,” International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Torino, Italy, Sept. 2011.
    5. J. J. Simpson*, “Frontiers in full-Maxwell's equations FDTD modeling,” US-Egypt Regional Workshop on Microwave Emerging Technologies, Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 2010.
    6. J. J. Simpson*, “Global 3-D Maxwell's equations FDTD modeling of the effects of space weather on the Earth-ionosphere system,” International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Sydney, Australia, Sept. 2010.
    7. J. J. Simpson*, “Optical detection of a nanometer-thick dielectric layer via cepstral analysis of photonic nanojet backscattering,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS), Cambridge, MA, July 2010.
    8. J. J. Simpson*, “Optical detection of a narrow ultra-subwavelength-thin dielectric layer via cepstral analysis of photonic nanojet backscattering,” Photonics North, Niagara Falls, Canada, June 2010.
    9. J. J. Simpson*, “Past, present, and future of modeling the global Earth-ionosphere system,” UNM Physics Department Seminar, Albuquerque, NM, April 2010.
    10. J. J. Simpson*, “Extended Photonic Nanojets for Obtaining the Internal Composition of a Dielectric Slab,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2010.
    11. J. J. Simpson*, “Introduction to FDTD and its Application to Optics,” Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Seminar, Albuquerque, NM, July 2009.
    12. J. J. Simpson*, “Past, present, and future of three-dimensional FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of the global Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” IEEE AP-S, MTT-S, and Communications Society Chapter Meeting, Calgary, Canada, Feb. 2009.
    13. J. J. Simpson*, “ FDTD Modeling Applications in Ultrahigh-Speed Interconnects and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Complex Packages,” IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Signal Integrity and High-Speed Interconnects, Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 2009.
    14. J. J. Simpson*, I. R. Capoglu, and V. Backman , “Using FDTD to Improve Our Understanding of Partial Wave Spectroscopy for Advancing Ultra Early-Stage Cancer Detection Techniques,” International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics (ANTEM) and the Canadian Radio Sciences Meeting (URSI/CNC), Banff, AB, Canada, Feb. 2009.
    15. J. J. Simpson*, X. Li, A. Heifetz, and V. Backman, “FDTD computational synthesis and analysis of the partial-wave spectroscopy image of the inhomogeneous dielectric sphere,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008.
    16. J. J. Simpson*, “FDTD full-Maxwell's equations modeling from near-DC to light,” 24th International Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics (ACES), Niagara Falls, Canada, April 2008.
    17. J. J. Simpson*, “Computational electrodynamics modeling from near-DC to light,” IEEE AP-S, MTT-S, EMC-S and Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society Joint Chapter Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, Sept 2007.
    18. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “3-D FDTD model of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide including a gyrotropic plasma ionosphere,” URSI North American Radio Science Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, July 2007.
    19. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Progress in three-dimensional FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of global impulsive ULF/ELF propagation,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 2006.
    20. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “3-D FDTD modeling of ULF/ELF propagation within the global Earth-ionosphere cavity using an optimized geodesic grid,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Washington, D.C., July 2005.
    21. J. J. Simpson*, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “An experimental and computational study of bandpass wireless digital-bus interconnects using electromagnetic bandgap technology at 50 GHz,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Washington, D.C., July 2005.
    22. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Recent advances in FDTD modeling of ULF/ELF propagation within the global Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” U.S. National Committee (USNC) / International Union of Radio Science (URSI) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2005.
    23. J. J. Simpson*, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “Ultrahigh-speed wireless digital bus interconnects using electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) technology,” IEEE AP-S / MTT-S Chapter Meeting, Chicago, IL, Nov. 2004.
      24.
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    1. A. Taflove and J. J. Simpson, “Introduction to Maxwell’s Equations and the Yee Algorithm,” Chap. 3 in Computational Electrodynamics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, 3rd ed., A. Taflove and S. C. Hagness, Norwood, MA: Artech, 2005.
    2. M. Piket-May, W. K. Gwarek, T.-L. Wu, B. Houshmand, T. Itoh, and J. J. Simpson “High-Speed Electronic Circuits with Active and Nonlinear Components,” Chap. 15 in Computational Electrodynamics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, 3rd ed., A. Taflove and S. C. Hagness, Norwood, MA: Artech, 2005.
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Refereed Journal Publications

    1. J. Niu and J. J. Simpson, “On the air-sea boundary in marine CSEM detection modeling of sub-seafloor hydrocarbon reservoirs,” Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters (accepted).
    2. Y. Yu, J. Niu, and J. J. Simpson, “A 3-D global Earth-ionosphere FDTD model including an anisotropic magnetized plasma ionosphere,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation (accepted).
    3. C. Mendez-Ruiz and J. J. Simpson, "Cepstral analysis of photonic nanojet-illuminated biological cells," Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Journal (accepted).
    4. J. J. Simpson, “On the possibility of high-level transient coronal mass ejection - induced ionospheric current coupling to electric power grids,” Journal of Geophysical Research -- Space Physics, 116, A11308, 2011, doi:10.1029/2011JA016830. Paper20.pdf
    5. C. Mendez-Ruiz and J. J. Simpson, “Ultra high-resolution FDTD modeling of a high-performance VLSI package for identifying resonances and couplings,” Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Journal vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 284-294, 2011. Paper19.pdf
    6. Y. Yu and J. J. Simpson, “A magnetic field-independent absorbing boundary condition for magnetized cold plasma,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters vol. 10, pp. 294-297, 2011, doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2011.2139191. Paper18.pdf
    7. M. Madrid, J. J. Simpson, and M. Hayat, “FDTD calculations of the diffraction coefficient of vibrating wedges,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters vol. 10, pp. 163-166, 2011, doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2011.2121890. Paper17.pdf
    8. C. Mendez-Ruiz and J. J. Simpson, “Detection of embedded ultra-subwavelength-thin dielectric features using elongated photonic nanojets,” Optics Express, vol. 18, iss. 16, pp. 16805-16812, 2010, doi: 10.1364/OE.18.016805. [Also published in the Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics, vol. 5, iss. 16, pp. 16805-16812, 2010.] Paper16.pdf
    9. Y. Yu and J. J. Simpson, “An E-J collocated 3-D FDTD model of electromagnetic wave propagation in magnetized cold plasma,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 469-478, 2010, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2009.2037706. Paper15.pdf
    10. J. J. Simpson, “Current and future applications of 3-D global Earth-ionosphere models based on the full-vector Maxwell’s equations FDTD method,” Surveys in Geophysics, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 105-130, 2009, doi: 10.1007/s10712-009-9063-5 (invited). Paper14.pdf
    11. J. J. Simpson, “Global FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of electromagnetic propagation from currents in the lithosphere,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 199-203, 2008, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2007.913149. Paper13.pdf
    12. S.-C. Kong, J. J. Simpson, and V. Backman, “ADE-FDTD scattered field formulation for dispersive materials,” IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 4-6, 2008, doi: 10.1109/LMWC.2007.911970. Paper12.pdf
    13. A. Heifetz, J. J. Simpson, S.-C. Kong, A. Taflove, and V. Backman, “Subdiffraction optical resolution of a gold nanosphere located within the nanojet of Mie-resonant dielectric microsphere,” Optics Express, vol. 15, no. 25, pp. 17334-17342, 2007, doi: 10.1364/OE.15.017334. [Also published in the Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics, vol. 3, iss. 1, pp. 17334-17342, 2008.] Paper11.pdf
    14. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “A review of progress in FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of impulsive sub-ionospheric propagation below 300 kHz,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation in the Special Issue on Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in Complex Environments: A Tribute to Leopold Benno Felsen, vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 1582-1590, June 2007, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2007.897138. Paper10.pdf
    15. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “ELF radar system proposed for localized D-region ionospheric anomalies,” IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 500-503, Oct. 2006, doi: 10.1109/LGRS.2006.878443. Paper9.pdf
    16. J. J. Simpson, R. P. Heikes, and A. Taflove, “FDTD modeling of a novel ELF radar for major oil deposits using a three-dimensional geodesic grid of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 1734-1741, June 2006, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2006.875504. Paper8.pdf
    17. J. J. Simpson, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “Substrate integrated waveguides optimized for ultrahigh-speed digital interconnects,” IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 1983-1990, May 2006, doi: 10.1109/TMTT.2006.873622. Paper7.pdf
    18. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “A novel ELF radar for major oil deposits,” IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 36-39, 2006, doi: 10.1109/LGRS.2005.856118. Paper6.pdf
    19. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “Electrokinetic effect of the Loma Prieta earthquake calculated by an entire-Earth FDTD solution of Maxwell’s equations,” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 32, L09302, doi:10.1029/2005GL022601, 2005, doi: 10.1029/2005GL022601. Paper5.pdf
    20. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “Efficient modeling of impulsive ELF antipodal propagation about the Earth sphere using an optimized two-dimensional geodesic FDTD grid,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 3, no. 11, pp. 215-218, 2004, doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2004.834936. Paper4.pdf
    21. J. J. Simpson, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “Computational and experimental study of a microwave electromagnetic bandgap structure for potential use as a bandpass wireless interconnect,” IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 343-345, July 2004, doi: 10.1109/LMWC.2004.829283. Paper3.pdf
    22. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “Three-dimensional FDTD modeling of impulsive ELF antipodal propagation and Schumann resonance of the Earth-sphere,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 443–451, Feb. 2004, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2004.823953. Paper2.pdf
    23. J. J. Simpson and A. Taflove, “Two-dimensional FDTD model of antipodal ELF propagation and Schumann resonance of the Earth,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 53-56, 2002, doi: 10.1109/LAWP/2002/805123. Paper1.pdf
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Refereed Conference Proceedings (* indicates presenter)

    1. J. Niu* and J. J. Simpson, “A coupled FDTD/SAMI3 model for electromagnetic wave propagation in the Earth-ionosphere system,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2012.
    2. H. Faraji*, C. Mendez-Ruiz, and J. J. Simpson, “Photonic nanojets applied to possible ultra early-stage cancer detection,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2012 (invited).
    3. J. J. Simpson*, “Coronal mass ejection-induced short time-scale (<10 seconds) electromagnetic phenomena in the Earth lithosphere-ionosphere system and its potential to disrupt the operation of electric power grids,” Proc. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2011.
    4. J. J. Simpson*, “NSF CAREER: Establishing at the University of New Mexico a student residential college / honors program with extensive faculty involvement,” Proc. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2011.
    5. J. J. Simpson* and J. Niu, “Multiphysics modeling of VLF-HF propagation in the earth-ionosphere system for communications, surveillance, and navigation,” International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Torino, Italy, Sept. 2011 (invited).
    6. J. J. Simpson*, “FDTD calculation of geomagnetically-induced currents on the Finnish natural gas pipeline system," IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Spokane, WA, July 2011.
    7. J. J. Simpson*, “Three-dimensional full-Maxwell's equations modeling of the Earth-ionosphere system for applications ranging from communications, HAARP, to space weather,” 13th International Ionospheric Effects Symposium, Alexandria, VA, May 2011.
    8. M. Madrid* and J. J. Simpson, “2-D FDTD calculations of the diffraction coefficient of vibrating wedges,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2011.
    9. C. Mendez-Ruiz* and J. J. Simpson, “Analysis of backscattered fields from photonic nanojet-illuminated inhomogeneous dielectric objects having rough surfaces,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2011 (invited).
    10. J. Kotobi, A. Pulkkinen, and J. J. Simpson*,“Global FDTD modeling of the Earth-ionosphere system during the 2003 Halloween Storms,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2011.
    11. J. Niu* and J. J. Simpson,“3-D FDTD modeling of time-domain marine CSEM in detecting subseafloor hydrocarbon reservoirs under shallow seawater,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2011.
    12. J. J. Simpson*, “Global 3-D Maxwell's equations FDTD modeling of the effects of space weather on the Earth-ionosphere system,” International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Sydney, Australia, Sept. 2010 (invited).
    13. J. Niu and J. J. Simpson, “ 3D FDTD modeling of marine CSEM in detecting subseafloor hydrocarbon reservoirs,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Toronto, Canada, July 2010.
    14. Y. Yu and J. J. Simpson*, “Global 3-D FDTD modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation within the Earth-ionosphere system including a magnetized cold plasma ionosphere,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Toronto, Canada, July 2010.
    15. J. J. Simpson*, “Optical detection of a nanometer-thick dielectric layer via cepstral analysis of photonic nanojet backscattering,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS), Cambridge, MA, July 2010 (invited).
    16. J. J. Simpson*, “Optical detection of a narrow ultra-subwavelength-thin dielectric layer via cepstral analysis of photonic nanojet backscattering,” Photonics North, Niagara Falls, Canada, June 2010 (invited).
    17. J. J. Simpson*, “Extended Photonic Nanojets for Obtaining the Internal Composition of a Dielectric Slab,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2010 (invited).
    18. Y. Yu* and J. J. Simpson, “FDTD Calculation of the Faraday Rotation of EM Waves Propagating within the Ionosphere,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2010.
    19. C. Mendez-Ruiz* and J. J. Simpson, “Ultra High-Resolution FDTD Modeling of a High-Performance VLSI Package for Identifying EMC Issues,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2010.
    20. M. Madrid*, J. J. Simpson, B. Santhanam, W. Gerstle, T. Atwood, and M. M. Hayat, “Modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with vibrating structures,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Charleston, SC, June 2009.
    21. E. Tanner*, J. J. Simpson, H. Smartt, T. Atwood, C. Collins, and W. Young, “Remote-sensing of underground caverns using a 3-D FDTD model,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Charleston, SC, June 2009.
    22. Y. Yu* and J. J. Simpson, “A new 3-D FDTD model of magnetized cold plasma for modeling electromagnetic wave propagation in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Charleston, SC, June 2009.
    23. C. Mendez-Ruiz*, J. J. Simpson, B. Horine, K. Slattery, “Ultra high-resolution FDTD modeling of a high-performance VLSI package,” IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Charleston, SC, June 2009.
    24. J. J. Simpson*, “ FDTD Modeling Applications at Intel Corporation in Ultrahigh-Speed Interconnects and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Complex Packages,” IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Signal Integrity and High-Speed Interconnects, Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 2009 (invited).
    25. J. J. Simpson*, I. R. Capoglu, and V. Backman , “Using FDTD to Improve Our Understanding of Partial Wave Spectroscopy for Advancing Ultra Early-Stage Cancer Detection Techniques,” International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics (ANTEM) and the Canadian Radio Sciences Meeting (URSI/CNC), Banff, AB, Canada, Feb. 2009 (invited).
    26. Y. Yu* and J. J. Simpson, “3-D FDTD modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation in magnetized cold plasma ,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2009.
    27. J. J. Simpson*, B. Horine, and H. Heck, “Ultra high-resolution FDTD modeling of an integrated circuit package for characterizing and solving EMC problems in compact portable electronic devices,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008.
    28. J. J. Simpson*, “3-D FDTD modeling of hazardous effects of an historically intense coronal mass ejection on the global earth-ionosphere waveguide environment,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008.
    29. A. Altunc*, J. J. Simpson, C. E. Baum, C. G. Christodoulou, and E. Schamiloglu, “Numerical simulation of a lens for launching a spherical TEM wave,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008.
    30. J. J. Simpson*, X. Li, A. Heifetz, and V. Backman, “FDTD computational synthesis and analysis of the partial-wave spectroscopy image of the inhomogeneous dielectric sphere,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 2008 (invited).
    31. J. J. Simpson*, “FDTD full-Maxwell's equations modeling from near-DC to light,” Proc. 24th International Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics (ACES), Niagara Falls, Canada, April 2008 (invited).
    32. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “3-D FDTD model of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide including a gyrotropic plasma ionosphere,” Proc. URSI North American Radio Science Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, July 2007.
    33. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “3-D FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of sub-30 kHz electromagnetic wave propagation in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide including ionospheric plasma as influenced by the geomagnetic field,” Proc. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2006.
    34. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Progress in three-dimensional FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of global impulsive ULF/ELF propagation,” Proc. Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 2006 (invited).
    35. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Proposal for an ELF radar of D-region ionospheric anomalies analyzed using a 3-D geodesic FDTD model of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, July 2006.
    36. J. J. Simpson*, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, H. Heck, “Optimized substrate integrated waveguide bends for high-speed digital circuits,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, July 2006.
    37. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “An investigation of a novel radar for ionospheric disturbances using a global 3-D FDTD model of the earth-ionosphere waveguide,” Proc. URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2006.
    38. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Global 3-D FDTD Maxwell’s equations modeling of ionospheric disturbances associated with earthquakes using an optimized geodesic grid,” Proc. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2005.
    39. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “3-D FDTD modeling of ULF/ELF propagation within the global Earth-ionosphere cavity using an optimized geodesic grid,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Washington, D.C., July 2005 (invited).
    40. J. J. Simpson*, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “An experimental and computational study of bandpass wireless digital-bus interconnects using electromagnetic bandgap technology at 50 GHz,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Washington, D.C., July 2005 (invited).
    41. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Whole Earth FDTD modeling of ELF electromagnetic sounding of oil deposits with the U.S. Navy’s ELF transmitter system,” Proc. USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Washington, D.C., July 2005.
    42. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Recent advances in FDTD modeling of ULF/ELF propagation within the global Earth-ionosphere waveguide,” Proc. USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, F2-3, p. 167, Jan. 2005 (invited).
    43. J. J. Simpson*, A. Taflove, J. A. Mix, and H. Heck, “A study of a microwave electromagnetic bandgap structure with waveguiding defect for potential use as a bandpass wireless interconnect,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Monterey, CA, vol. 2, pp. 1523-1526, June 2004.
    44. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Three-dimensional FDTD modeling of the response of the global Earth-ionosphere waveguide to seismically-induced sources,” Proc. USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Monterey, CA, June 2004.
    45. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Computational study of millimeter-wave metal-pin photonic bandgap waveguides for use as ultrahigh-speed bandpass wireless interconnects,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Columbus, OH, vol. 4, pp. 871-874, June 2003.
    46. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Global three-dimensional FDTD modeling of impulsive ELF propagation about the Earth,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, Columbus, OH, vol. 4, pp. 940-943, June 2003.
    47. A. Taflove*, J. J. Simpson, and G. Chang, “Two emerging multiphysics FDTD applications from the megameter scale at 3 Hz to the nanometer scale at 300 THz,” Proc. USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Columbus, OH, June 2003.
    48. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Two-dimensional FDTD modeling of impulsive ELF antipodal propagation about the Earth-sphere,” Proc. IEEE AP-S International Symposium, San Antonio, TX, vol. 3, pp. 678-681, June 2002.
    49. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “FDTD modeling of millimeter-wave photonic bandgap structures for potential use as ultrahigh speed bandpass wireless interconnects,” Proc. USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, San Antonio, TX, p. 82, June 2002.
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Other Presentations (* indicates presenter)

    1. C. Mendez-Ruiz* and J. J. Simpson, “FDTD modeling of photodetecors using plasmonic nanoantennas,” NSF Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center Industry - Academia Day, Boston, MA, Feb. 2011.
    2. J. J. Simpson*, “Solving Maxwell's equations from near-DC to light,” Grace Hopper New Mexico Celebration of Women in Computing Regional Conference, Albuquerque, NM, Oct. 2010.
    3. M. Madrid* and J. J. Simpson, “2-D modeling of electromagnetic waves with vibrating conducting and dielectric objects,” Grace Hopper New Mexico Celebration of Women in Computing Regional Conference, Albuquerque, NM, Oct. 2010.
    4. J. J. Simpson*, “Three-dimensional full-Maxwell’s equations modeling of the Earth-ionosphere system,” Air Force Research Labs, Hanscom AFB, Boston, MA, July 2010.
    5. C. Mendez-Ruiz* and J. J. Simpson, "FDTD full Maxwell's equations modeling of smart lighting," NSF Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center, Troy, NY, July 2010.
    6. M. Madrid*, J. J. Simpson, and M. M. Hayat, "Modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with vibrating structures," Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., Albuquerque, NM, Nov. 2009 (invited).
    7. J. J. Simpson*, “Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) computational solutions to Maxwell’s equations,” Air Force Research Labs, Albuquerque, NM, Oct. 2009.
    8. M. Madrid*, J. J. Simpson, M. M. Hayat, “Modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with vibrating structres," New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering Technical Symposium and Annual Meeting, Algodones, NM, Oct. 2009.
    9. M. Madrid*, J. J. Simpson, and M. M. Hayat, “Modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with vibrating structures,” Women in Electromagnetics Workshop, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, June 2009.
    10. J. J. Simpson* and A. Taflove, “Three-dimensional FDTD modeling of the response of the global Earth-ionosphere waveguide to seismically-induced sources using latitude/longitude and spherical geodesic grids,” 2nd International Conference on Discrete Global Grids, Ashland, OR, Oct. 2004.
      11.
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Links

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Recommended Reading (working list)

  • A. Taflove and S. C. Hagness, Computational Electrodynamics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, 3rd ed., Artech House, 2005.
  • D. Fleisch, A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
  • A. Hirshfeld, The Electric Life of Michael Faraday, Walker and Company, 2006.
  • C. R. Tomlinson, P.E., Don't Ever Tell Me You Can't, Virtualbookworm.com, 2002.
  • C. Waisman and J. Tietjen, Her Story: A Timeline of Women Who Changed America, Harper, 2008.
  • MIT Technology Review, http://www.technologyreview.com/
  • Magazines / Journals: Nature, Nature Photonics, Science, IEEE TAP/MTT/EMC publications, Optics Express, Scientific American, etc.

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Personal

My mother started teaching me to play the violin when I was three years old. I played continuously for the next ~20 years in symphonies, quartets, and recitals.

Aside from playing the violin, I particularly enjoy training for and running road and trail races (to help offset my time in front of computers...!). In 2011, I was sponsored by Inov-8 running shoe company and ran for Team Inov-8. Below are a few of my PR's:

  5 km   18:30   5:58 min./mile  
  1/2 Marathon     1:27:49   6:43 min./mile
  Marathon   3:09:04     7:13 min./mile

... and my past races:

  • 2012 Run with Kenyans for Global Health, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 2011 Duke City 5k, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2nd in age group)
  • 2011 Corrida de Corrales 5k, Corrales, New Mexico (3rd overall female, 2nd in age group)
  • 2011 Run the Caldera 10k, Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico (1st overall female, course record)
  • 2011 Run with Kenyans for Global Health, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1st overall non-elite female)
  • 2011 Carlsbad 5k, Carlsbad, California
  • 2011 Shamrock Shuffle 5k, Rio Rancho, New Mexico (1st overall female)
  • 2011 Houston Half Marathon, Houston, Texas (2nd in age group)
  • 2010 Earlysville 5k Turkey Trot, Charlottesville, Virginia (won the stroller division pushing my nephews ;)
  • 2010 Buffalo Thunder 12k, Pojoaque, New Mexico (3rd overall female, $100 cash award)
  • 2010 Corrida de Corrales 10k, Corrales, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2010 Dam to Dam 10k, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2010 Grizzly 1/2 Marathon, Choteau, Montana (1st overall female)
  • 2010 Chunky Monkey 10k, Albuquerque, New Mexico (3rd overall female)
  • 2010 Shiprock 1/2 Marathon, Shiprock, New Mexico (1st overall female)
  • 2010 Carlsbad 5k, Carlsbad, California (5k PR, 18:30)
  • 2010 Shamrock Shuffle 5k, Rio Rancho, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2010 Phoenix Rock'N'Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon, Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2009 XTERRA Topanga Turkey Trot 10k, Topanga, California (1st overall female)
  • 2009 Duke City 1/2 Marathon, Albuquerque, New Mexico (4th overall female)
  • 2009 Corrida de Corrales 5k, Corrales, New Mexico (1st overall female)
  • 2009 UNM Lobo Invite Community 5k, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2009 Jemez Mountain 1/2 Marathon, Las Alamos, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2009 Indy 500 1/2 Marathon, Indianapolis, Indiana (1/2 Marathon PR, 1:27:49)
  • 2009 Forever Young 10K, Placitas, New Mexico (1st overall female)
  • 2009 Phoenix Rock'N'Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon, Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2008 Jingle Bell 10k Run, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2008 Chicago Marathon, Chicago, Illinois
  • 2008 Pikes Peak Ascent, Manitou Springs, Colorado
  • 2008 Run the Caldera Marathon, Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico (with Greg, 4th overall female)
  • 2008 Armed Forces Day 1/2 Marathon, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 2008 Forever Young 10k, Placitas, New Mexico (2nd overall female)
  • 2008 Cactus Ridge Ramble 14.5 Mile Trail Run, El Paso, Texas (1st overall female)
  • 2007 Trail of Lights 5k, Albuquerque, New Mexico (with Greg)
  • 2006 Chicago Half-Marathon, Chicago, Illinois
  • 2006 Elgin Valley Fox Trot 10 Mile Run, Elgin, Illinois
  • 2006 Boston Marathon, Boston, Massachusettes
  • 2005 Chicago Marathon, Chicago, Illinois (Marathon PR, 3:09:04)
  • 2005 Rocky Mountain 1/2 Marathon, Denver, Colorado (with my Dad!)
  • 2005 Kentucky Derby 1/2 Marathon, Louisville, Kentucky (with Luke and George)
  • 2004 Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu, Hawaii (with AIDS marathon - Chicago)
  • 2004 Chicago 1/2 Marathon, Chicago, Illinois
  • 2004 Indy 1/2 Marathon, Indiannapolis, Indiana
  • 2004 Wrigley Start Early 10k, Chicago, Illinois (2nd overall female)
  • 2003 Skokie Spirit 10k, Skokie, Illinois (1st overall female)
  • 2002 Lake Geneva 5k, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (2nd overall female)
  • 2001 Suitcase Party 5k, Evanston, Illinois (1st overall female)
  • 1998 Colorado State High School Cross Country Championships, Denver, CO
  • 1998 Bolder Boulder 10k, Boulder, Colorado (with Eve)
  • 1998 Colorado State Track and Field Championships, Colorado Springs, CO (4 x 800 m relay)
  • 1997 Colorado State High School Cross Country Championships, Pueblo, CO

Exploring the outdoors with my dogs...


And enjoying the places my research takes me...


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