Welcome!

Hello! I am an assistant professor in the Applied Mathematics Department at the University of Washington. Broadly speaking, my research considers the intersection of approximation theory, numerical linear algebra, and scientific computing. My projects involve the development and analysis of fast direct methods for solving PDEs via hierarchical numerical linear algebra, low rank and rank-structured approximation methods, boundary integral equation methods, numerical methods for computing with polynomial approximations to functions, and robust numerical methods for constructing and computing with rational approximations to functions.

CV (pdf)

Working with me

My research group includes several UW PhD students. Wietse Vaes is working with me on PDE solvers for waves and scattering phenomena. Arjun Sethi-Olowin is working on hierarchical methods for optimization problems. Emily Zhang and Levent Batakci are working on rational approximation in computation, and Laura Thomas is working with me on computational methods and approximation theory for matrix pencils. I am also currently working with UW undergraduate Raaga Vangala on Zolotarev rational approximation problems for applications in scientific computing.

If you are a PhD student in applied math or related fields at UW looking to work on topics related to boundary integral methods and scattering, hierarchical numerical linear algebra, or approximation theory, please send me an email about arranging a reading quarter, and let me know which area you are interested in and why. The reading course is an essential first step to joining my research group.

If you are any PhD student at UW looking for a GSR, please don't hesitate to ask! I love serving as a GSR and am especially interested in hearing about what students in applied fields using computational mathematics are up to. I am happy to serve on committees unrelated to applied math as well.

Unfortunately, I currently do not have any research-related positions available for M.S. or undergraduate students. Check in next quarter to see if the situation has evolved!

Research

Papers

  • H. Wilber, W. Vaes, A. Gopal and P.G. Martinsson, A time-frequency method for acoustic scattering with trapping to be submitted, (pdf)
  • C. Ballew, T. Trogdon, and H. Wilber, The Akhiezer iteration and an inverse-free solver for Sylvester matrix equations to be submitted, (pdf)
  • B. Beckermann, D. Kressner, and H. Wilber, Compression properties for large Toeplitz-like matrices, submitted to Num. Algorithms, (pdf)
  • L.N. Trefethen, H. Wilber, Computation of Zolotarev rational functions, To appear in SISC, (pdf)
  • H. Wilber, E.N. Epperly, and A.H. Barnett, A superfast direct inversion method for the nonuniform discrete Fourier transform, to appear in SISC, (pdf)
  • H. Wilber, A. Damle, and A. Townsend, Data-driven algorithms for signal processing with trigonometric rational functions, SISC, 44-3 (2022), C185-C209 (pdf)
  • D. Rubin, A. Townsend,and H. Wilber, Bounding Zolotarev numbers using Faber rational functions, Const. Approx., 56 (2022), 1-26 (pdf)
  • Quinn, K., Wilber, H., Townsend, A., Sethna, J.P., Chebyshev approximation and the global geometry of model predictions, Phy. Rev. Let. (2019), 122(15), 158302. (pdf)
  • A. Townsend and H. Wilber, On the singular values of matrices with high displacement rank, LAA, 548 (2018), 19-41. (pdf)
  • H. Wilber, A. Townsend, and G. B. Wright, Computing with functions in spherical and polar geometries II. The disk, SISC, 39 (2017), C238-C262. (pdf)
  • A. Townsend, H. Wilber, and G. B. Wright, Computing with functions in spherical and polar geometries I. The sphere, SISC, 38 (2016), C403-C425. (pdf)

Theses

Upcoming Conferences, Visits, Talks

Selected Presentations

    (click here for complete list.)
  • Zolotarev numbers and the nonuniform discrete Fourier transform. (slides)
  • REfit:Data-driven computing with trigonometric rationals. (poster)
  • Low rank numerical methods via rational approximation. (slides)
  • Computing with rational approximations in signal processing. (slides)
  • Numerical computing with functions in polar and spherical geometries. (slides)
  • Computing with functions on the sphere and disk. (poster)

Software

  • Structmats (Computing with structured matrices)
  • REfit (computing with rational functions and exponential sums)
  • FI-ADI (low rank solver for Sylvester matrix equations)
  • Diskfun (computing with functions on the unit disk)
  • Spherefun (computing with functions on the unit sphere)

Awards and Fellowships

    (click here for complete list.)
  • Householder Prize (2022)
  • AWM 2022 Dissertation Prize
  • NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021-2023)
  • SIAM UKIE prize: Best student presentation, 27th Biennial Numerical Analysis Conference (2019)
  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2016-2020)
  • M.S. thesis selected as the Boise State Univ. 2017 Distinguished Thesis in STEM
  • NASA ISGC fellowship (2015-2016)

Teaching

  • Autumn 2025 (Univ. Washington): (Instructor) AMATH 584, Numerical Linear Algebra, (Instructor) AMATH 590, Beyond the SVD: Low rank methods in numerical linear for big problems
  • Autumn 2024 (Univ. Washington): (Instructor) AMATH 301, Introduction to Scientific Computing
  • Spring 2024 (Univ. Washington): (Instructor) AMATH 352, Applied Linear Algebra and Introductory Numerical Analysis
  • Autumn 2023 (Univ. Washington): (Instructor) AMATH 584, Applied Linear Algebra and Introductory Numerical Analysis
  • Spring 2023 (UT Austin): (Instructor) M408D, Sequences, Series and Multivariable Calculus. Click here for a copy of the course syllabus
  • Fall 2022 (UT Austin): (Instructor) M427L, Advanced calculus for applications, II. Click here for a copy of the course syllabus
  • Spring 2021 (Cornell): (TA with instructor Prof. Steven Strogatz) M1300: Mathematical explorations
  • Fall 2020 (Cornell): (TA with instructor Prof. Alex Townsend) M2940: Linear algebra for engineers

Contact

Office:LEW 328

Email: hdw27 (at) uw (dot) edu

Address:
Department of Applied Mathematics
Univerity of Washington
Lewis Hall #201, Box 353925
Seattle, WA 98195-3925