57 citations · 178 across the 14 of their papers we have counts for
15 papers
Epithelia Realize Nematopolar Topological Defect Structures
Tianxiang Ma, Niels de Graaf Sousa, Valeriia Grudtsyna +2
We introduce a shape-based polar order parameter that captures the structural asymmetry of cells within epithelial monolayers. By combining bright-field imaging and traction force…
Non-equilibrium geometric forces steer spiral waves on folded surfaces
Varun Venkatesh, Farzan Vafa, Martin Cramer Pedersen +1
Spiral waves are ubiquitous signatures of non equilibrium dynamics, appearing across chemical, biological, and active systems. Yet, in many living systems these waves unfold on cur…
Phase diagram, confining strings, and a new universality class in nematopolar matter
Farzan Vafa, Amin Doostmohammadi
We study a minimal model of a system with coexisting nematic and polar orientational orders, where one field tends to order and the other prefers isotropy. For strong coupling, the…
An efficient solution to Hidden Markov Models on trees with coupled branches
Farzan Vafa, Sahand Hormoz
Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are powerful tools for modeling sequential data, where the underlying states evolve in a stochastic manner and are only indirectly observable. Tradition…
Defect ground states for liquid crystals on cones and hyperbolic cones
Farzan Vafa, Grace H. Zhang, David R. Nelson
This contribution is intended for Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical Special issue on Non-equilibrium Dynamics in Complex Systems: Celebrating the Contributions of…
Periodic orbits, pair nucleation, and unbinding of active nematic defects on cones
Farzan Vafa, David R. Nelson, Amin Doostmohammadi
Geometric confinement and topological constraints present promising means of controlling active materials. By combining analytical arguments derived from the Born-Oppenheimer appro…