Saint Michael's College

Title: Associate Professor of Mathematics

Education: B.A. Bennington College; M.S. University of Vermont; Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Areas of Expertise/Research Interests: Algebraic combinatorics, especially graph polynomials, and applied graph theory in computer chip design and biomolecular computing.

Testimonial: I love seeing a student catch that moment of enlightenment with "Wow ... that is so cool."

What do you like most about teaching/working at Saint Michael's College? Integration and acknowledgement of the spiritual in intellectual life. You can be a whole person here, able to recognize and share how God permeates your work, without having to compartmentalize your religious life away from your professional life.

What do you like about Saint Michael's students? They maintain a sense of balance even while excelling academically. There is a sense that their studies will lead to some greater good than just personal glory. I admire their understanding that there is a wider world than pure academics, and above all their concern and involvement with the needs of that broader community.

What is your favorite class to teach, and why? Whichever ones I am teaching currently! I also especially enjoy collaborative research projects with my students.

What kinds of unique opportunities are available to students in your classes or department? The faculty are Saint Michael's are closely interconnected, which allows for interdisciplinary work across majors. I have worked with students doing interdisciplinary research in mathematics and any of computer science, physics, biology, or chemistry. I'm really hoping for a mathematics and art project someday soon!

Personal Web site