EECS Department

Research interests are in Systems Biology with application of complex systems representation, multi-scale modeling, coordination and goal seeking to understand: (a) signal transduction in cancer and inflammation (MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways), and (b) biological causes and intervention approaches to hydrocephalus (cerebrospinal fluid accumulation). Projects are with Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Medicine (Neurosurgery). Also involved with Global Systems modeling and analysis research (water, energy and policy targets).

Professor Sreenath is the Director of Case Systems Biology Initiative (Case SBI), and, a Co-Director of UNESCO Global Issues Education Network Initiative (GENIe). He is a recipient of NIH-National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research Career Award in 2004.

Hailing from the Silicon City of Bangalore, Sree N. Sreenath did his bachelors from Bangalore University (1980), masters degree (1982) from Indian Institute of Science, and received his doctorate (1987) from University of Maryland, College Park.

Sreenath’s research interest over the past two decades could be defined using a single phrase “Complexity analysis ”. Specifically, it has been in understanding complex systems through a holistic approach that has been central to ‘Systems Science’. Modeling as a representation of reality is a starting point and his work and is based on the goal of the objective (analysis, design, etc.). This is followed then by applying various analysis and design methods such as large-scale, multi-level and hierarchical systems analysis, nonlinear systems modeling, differential geometric control, structural properties analysis (controllability, stability, equilibria and robustness), uncertainty analysis, and, computer based analysis, simulation and design.

Application of these methods has been in areas such as Systems Biology, Future Studies, and space robotics.

Work in Systems Biology is towards the understanding (a) of signal transduction problems in cancer and inflammation, and (b) of hydrocephalus (neurobiology/neurosurgery) problems. Collaboration with Case NIH Comprehensive Cancer Center, resulted in the funding of a P20 Planning grant ($1.5 million over three years) from NIH-NCI. Case School of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, are other collaborators.

In Future Studies, the concentration has been in the following application areas: global problematiqe (global climate change, carrying capacity of the world and regions), long-term policy modeling of environmental systems, (water resources, energy resources), and public health policy (HIV-AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa).

In space robotics (1982-93) research focus was on non-holonomic systems (e.g. why a cat dropped upside down always land on its feet).

He has been a consultant to many developing countries and the UN agencies on issues of water, energy and policy development. He has lectured in more than twenty countries and has written a book on global warming.

Sreenath, N., Systems Representation of Global Climate Change Models: Foundation for a Systems Science Approach, Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences, Springer-Verlag, Berlin / New York, 1993 (291 pages).

1. Mesarovic, M.D., Sreenath, S.N. and Keene, J.D, “Search for organising principles: understanding in systems biology,” J. Systems Biology, Vol 1, 19-27.
2. Sreenath, N., Vali, A., and Susiarjo, G., “Nile River Problematique: An Integrated Look at the Future of Egypt & Ethiopia,” Water Intl. (J. Intl. Water Res. Assoc.), November 2002.
3. Susiarjo, G., Sreenath, N., Vali, A., Mesarovic, M., “On Optimal Global Sustainable Population,” J. of Environment, Development and Sustainability, October 2002. (accepted, resubmitted after revision).
4. N. Sreenath, M. Mesarovic, B. Venkatesh, “Optimal Control Approach to Global Warming Problem,” Int. J. of General Systems, Special Issue on Global Change, August 1996 (26 pages).
5. N. Sreenath, “A Hybrid Computation Environment for Multibody Simulation,” Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, Summer 1992 (20 pages).
6. N. Sreenath, “Nonlinear Control of Multibody Systems in Shape Space,” Mathematics of Controls, Signals and Systems (MCSS), Vol. 5, pp. 343-363, 1992 (21 pages).
7. N. Sreenath, “On the Hamiltonian Structure of a Class of Multibody Systems: Equilibria, Stability, Control, and Stabilization,” accepted in J. of Dyn. Mes. And Cont., Oct 1992 (32 pages).
8. C-K. Chen and N. Sreenath, “Control of Coupled Spatial Many-body Systems with Nonholonomic Constraints,” J. of Mathematical Systems, Estimation and Control, March 1993 (20 pages).
9. N. Sreenath, Y.G. Oh, P.S. Krishnaprasad and J.E. Marsden, “The Dynamics of Coupled Planar Rigid Bodies Part I: Reduction, Equilibria and Stability,” Int. J. of Dynamics and Stability of Systems, Vol. 3, No. 1 & 2, pp. 25-49, 1988 (25 pages)
10. N. Sreenath, Y.G. Oh, P.S. Krishnaprasad and J.E. Marsden, “The Dynamics of Coupled Planar Rigid Bodies Part II: Bifurcations, Periodic Solutions and Chaos,” Int. J. of Dynamics and Stability of Systems, Vol. 3, No. 1 & 2, pp. 25-49, 1988 (30 pages).