math-news

Remembering Glenda Woods

November 7, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Glenda Lee Tolman Woods on October 31, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Services were held Tuesday, November 12, at Broomhead Funeral Home.

For more than three decades, Glenda Woods was a cornerstone of the University of Utah community, dedicating 36 years of service to the institution, with nearly 30 of those years in the College of Science Dean's Office until her retirement in 2015. Her impact on the college was profound and lasting.

As a distinguished administrator, Glenda set the highest standards of professionalism and punctuality, leading always by example. Her attention to detail was legendary—she maintained impeccable records and was known for her unwavering commitment to perfection, never letting even a single spelling error slip by. Perhaps most remarkably, she knew every faculty and staff member in the entire College by name, fostering personal connections with hundreds of colleagues throughout her tenure.

What truly set Glenda apart was not just her professional excellence, but her extraordinary character. She approached every interaction with kindness, grace, and generosity. Never one to raise her voice or criticize harshly, she treated her staff as family members, creating a warm and supportive work environment that inspired loyalty and dedication.

Throughout her career, Glenda earned several prestigious recognitions, including the University of Utah Presidential Staff Award in 1995—one of only four recipients that year. She completed the University's Management Certificate Program in 2000 and received the Certificate of Honor for 30 years of service in 2009.

Her legacy at the University of Utah extends far beyond her numerous accolades. She will be remembered as a mentor, friend, and exemplary leader who touched countless lives through her work and character.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering a donation to the College of Science ACCESS Scholars program. This initiative, which supports first-year students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines through community building, research opportunities, and scholarships, would honor Glenda's lifelong commitment to supporting excellence in education. To make a contribution, visit the ACCESS giving page.

For further details about Glenda's life and legacy, please see her full obituary.

A Tribute to Frank Stenger

November 6, 2024

Frank spent 20 years teaching and conducting research in the Kahlert School of Computing, prior to joining the School he spent 20 years as a professor in the Department of Mathematics here at the University of Utah. He received an undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Alberta (Engineering–Physics, with emphasis on Electrical Engineering), continuing at the University of Alberta he received Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering (Servomechanisms) and in Mathematics (Numerical Analysis), and a Ph.D. in Mathematics (Computational Asymptotics).

During his lifelong career, he produced a large body of original research in the development of algorithms, in areas “less traveled on” by other researchers, such as computational approximation, solution of nonlinear equations, Sinc methods; these yield novel methods for solving partial differential and integral equations. He also developed algorithms for non-destructive viewing of a part of a human being, and for determining whether the vote count at a voting center is fraudulent. He was an extremely productive scholar, publishing more than 200 papers and multiple books. Frank also lectured in over 20 different countries.

Frank was born in Hungary, and after WWII, he lived in East Germany, then in West Germany, then in Canada, finally landing in the United States after completion of his course studies.

There will be a celebration of Frank’s life on November 23, 2024.

https://users.cs.utah.edu/~stenger/

https://users.cs.utah.edu/~stenger/history.pdf

This story originally appeared on the School of Computing website.

Priyam Patel’s innovative teaching methods recognized

October 21, 2024

Patel is noted for her innovative and impactful teaching, including active learning strategies and creating a classroom that is welcoming and respectful to all students. One student wrote, “One notable aspect of Patel’s teaching approach is her use of mastery-based grading for homework assignments. This approach, coupled with metacognitive exercises, demonstrates her dedication to teaching students not only what to learn but also how to learn.” Another pointed out that she “cared about every student’s success,” while yet another praised her with “my goal is to become a professor like her.”

Patel’s teaching philosophy “emphasizes the creation of an active classroom, one in which students are directly involved in the learning process.” She believes “it is important for students to individually discover how and why the mathematical methods they apply actually work,” and continually strives to “improve [her] teaching strategies to … ensure that all of [her] students can thrive as mathematicians in the classroom and beyond.”

Patel’s research lies in the fields of low-dimensional topology, hyperbolic geometry, and geometric group theory. Geometry and topology are fields of mathematics focused on understanding the shapes of spaces. Geometry focuses on rigid objects where there is a notion of distance, while topological objects are more fluid. Geometric group theory is a related field of mathematics studying finitely generated groups via the connection between algebraic properties of such groups and geometric properties of spaces on which these groups act. Her research program can be divided into three main categories: quantitative questions in hyperbolic geometry, the combinatorics of 3-manifolds, and the symmetries of infinite-type surfaces.

New models shed light on sea ice dynamics

October 2, 2024

It is far from a homogenous layer of frozen water on the ocean’s surface, but rather a dynamic mix of water and ice, as well as minute pockets of air and brine encased in the ice.

New research led by University of Utah mathematicians and climate scientists is generating fresh models for understanding two critical processes in the sea ice system that have profound influences on global climate: the flux of heat through sea ice, thermally linking the ocean and atmosphere, and the dynamics of the marginal ice zone, or MIZ, a serpentine region of the Arctic sea ice cover that separates dense pack ice from open ocean.

In the last four decades since satellite imagery became widely available, the width of the MIZ has grown by 40% and its northern edge has migrated 1,600 kilometers northward, according to Court Strong, a professor of atmospheric sciences.

A tale of two studies, one north and one south

Ice covering both polar regions has sharply receded in recent decades thanks to human-driven global warming. Its disappearance is also driving a feed-back loop where more of the sun energy’s is absorbed by the open ocean, rather than getting reflected back to space by ice cover.

Utah mathematics professors Elena Cherkaev and Ken Golden, a leading sea ice researcher, are authors on both studies. The Arctic study led by Strong examines the macrostructures of sea ice, while the Antarctic study, led by former Utah postdoctoral researcher Noa Kraitzman, gets into its micro-scale aspects.

U student Muskan Walia now holds a leadership role in USHE Board

September 17, 2024

Now, she’s the 2024-25 student member of the Utah System of Higher Education Board.

“Our state has a great opportunity right now to be a leader in higher education policy,” Walia said. “As a current student, I am excited and grateful to work with students across Utah to bring our perspective into the conversation.”

A senior at the U, Walia has extensive leadership experience—including more than two years on the University of Utah’s student senate and two years as a Presidential Intern in Higher Education Leadership at the U.

“Muskan has a rare combination of modesty and confidence, in addition to the ability to listen to others and get things done,” said Frederick R. Adler, director of the U’s School of Biological Sciences and a mentor to Walia. “Beyond her intellect, passion for justice, and self-confidence, she has an extraordinary sense of humor that brings real joy to her work. That humor is very much part of her ability to see the world from different perspectives and to engage with others.”

While in the ASUU Senate, Walia served as treasurer and chair. Through her involvement, she’s found her passion and developed as a leader, but it might never have happened if she hadn’t wanted a solution to her printing problems.

Read the full story by Matilyn Mortensen in @TheU.

New bioinformatics major

August 28, 2024

Tommaso De Fernex, Chair of the Department of Mathematics. Credit: Todd Anderson

Tommaso De Fernex, chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Utah, has announced a new bioinformatics bachelor's degree (BS) available beginning fall semester 2024. The degree provides rigorous interdisciplinary training to help graduates thrive in rapidly growing sectors.

At the nexus of data science and life and physical sciences, bioinformatics applies intensive computational methods to analyze and understand complex biological information related to health, biotechnology, genomics and more. Through a comprehensive curriculum, undergraduates at the U will gain expertise in a variety of areas that together form an inter-disciplinary, multi-semester laboratory with rich possibilities.

“This major represents a pivotal step in keeping our students at the forefront of biotechnology,” says De Fernex. “It embodies true interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing expertise from biology, chemistry, and computer science faculties. I'm grateful for the dedication of our faculty in developing this program and for our strong partnerships with the medical campus and Utah's thriving biotechnology sector.”

The complexity of life

Another math professor at the U, Fred Adler, agrees. The “study of life” is decidedly complex, says Adler who has joint faculty appointments in biology and mathematics and is currently director of the U’s School of Biological Sciences. “Unraveling that complexity means combining the tools developed in the last century: ability to visualize and measure huge numbers of tiny things that used to be invisible, technology to store and analyze vast quantities of data, and the fundamental biological and mathematical knowledge to make sense of it all.”

Continues Adler: “A few years ago, we heard that biology is the science of the 21^st century. But with all the excitement and innovation in AI and machine learning, it might seem that this prediction was premature. We think nothing could be further from the truth.” Clearly, with the advent of biostatistical modeling, machine learning for genetics, biological data mining, computer programming and computational techniques for biomedical research, he said, “the preeminent role of biology in the sciences” has arrived.

A busy intersection

Bioinformatics is a field that intersects virtually every STEM discipline, developing and utilizing methods and software tools for understanding biological data, especially when the data sets are large and complex. Mathematics, (including statistics), biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and programming and information engineering all constellate to analyze and interpret biological data. The subsequent process of analyzing and interpreting data is referred to as computational biology.

Historically, bioinformatics and computational biology have involved the analysis of biological data, particularly DNA, RNA, and protein sequences. The field experienced explosive growth starting in the mid-1990s, driven largely by the Human Genome Project and by rapid advances in DNA sequencing technology, including at the U.

The new bioinformatics bachelor’s degree also complements the University’s storied graduate program in biomedical informatics, run by the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the Spencer Fox School of Medicine.

High-growth career field

The field of bioinformatics is experiencing rapid growth, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 15% increase in related jobs over the next decade, outpacing many other occupations. Graduates with a bioinformatics degree can expect to find opportunities in diverse sectors, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and research institutions. The interdisciplinary nature of this degree equips students with a unique skill set that combines biological knowledge with computational expertise. This blend of skills is increasingly valuable in today's data-driven economy, opening doors to a wide range of career paths and translating into higher earning potential for bioinformatics graduates.

"Students with quantitative expertise, like that offered in the new bioinformatics degree, are in high demand in the life sciences industry," says Peter Trapa, dean of the College of Science. "Recent data on U graduates highlights strong job placement and impressive salaries for graduates with such skills. This degree is designed to prepare students for success in these thriving job markets."

What students can expect

As a bioinformatics major, a student will learn from and collaborate with faculty pushing the boundaries of genomics, systems biology, biomedical informatics and more. Other universities and colleges offer a similar degree, but advantages to the U’s bioinformatics major include the following:

Hands-on research experiences in a student’s first year through the College’s celebrated Science Research Initiative
Core mathematical foundations through the renowned Department of Mathematics
Access to an R1 university with nationally ranked biomedical, health sciences and genomics programs
Internship opportunities with industry partners
Advisory support and career coaching

Concludes De Fernex, “Our bioinformatics curriculum promises a challenging yet immensely rewarding journey, equipping students for high-paying careers or further advanced studies. In today's world, where science and medicine increasingly rely on big data analysis, bioinformatics stands as a frontier of discovery.”

Students can learn more about the new bioinformatics major by visiting http://math.utah.edu/bioinformatics.

By David Pace

Those with the biggest biases choose first

August 12, 2024

Quick decisions are more likely influenced by initial biases, resulting in faulty conclusions, while decisions that take time are more likely the result in better information, according to new research led by applied mathematicians at the University of Utah.

A team that included Sean Lawley, an associate professor of mathematics, and three former or current Utah graduate students used the power of numbers to test a decision-making model long used in psychology.

They developed a framework to study the decision-making processes in groups of people holding various levels of bias.

“In large populations, what we see is that slow deciders are making more accurate decisions,” said lead author Samantha Linn, a graduate student in mathematics. “One way to explain that is that they’re taking more time to accumulate more evidence, and they’re getting a complete picture of everything they could possibly understand about the decision before they make it.”

The findings were reported this week in the journal Physical Review E.

The researchers explored how initial biases of individuals, or “agents,” in a group affect the order and accuracy of their choices. The goal was to determine whether a decision was driven mainly by an agent’s predisposition as opposed to accumulated evidence.

They found, in short, the faster the decision was made, the less informed it was and more likely to be wrong.

“Their decisions align with their initial bias, regardless of the underlying truth. In contrast, agents who decide last make decisions as if they were initially unbiased, and hence make better choices,” the study states. “Our analysis shows how bias, information quality, and decision order interact in non-trivial ways to determine the reliability of decisions in a group.”

Read the full story by Brian Maffly in @TheU.

The College of Science Welcomes New Faculty Fellows

June 12, 2024

The College of Science welcomes Associate Professor Lauren Birgenheier and Professor Akil Narayan as its inaugural class of Faculty Fellows. By working closely with colleagues on key projects, the new Fellows Program is designed to develop emerging academic leaders who are interested in learning more about college administration.

Lauren Birgenheier

Birgenheier is a sedimentary geologist and geochemist. Her research studies fluvial, shallow marine and lacustrine systems, shedding light on the processes that shaped our planet's past with a view toward implications for energy development, critical mineral exploration, carbon storage and paleoclimate reconstruction. Previously, Birgenheier served as Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Chair for the Department of Geology & Geophysics.

Akil Narayan

Narayan is an applied mathematician specializing in numerical analysis. As a member of the University of Utah's Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute, his broad research agenda at the forefront of computational innovation includes machine learning, model reduction and uncertainty quantification, among others. Narayan has previously held many departmental and university roles, including serving on an Academic Senate subcommittee and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Department of Mathematics.

"Lauren and Akil are exceptional scholars and leaders," said Dean Peter Trapa. "Their diverse expertise, coupled with their commitment to excellence, will be put to good use in these new Faculty Fellow roles. I look forward to working with them both."

Aftermath 2024

May 20, 2024

Getting Stuff Done: Thomas Yassmin

May 20, 2024

Balancing football and academics was challenging, but Yassmin performed this balancing act well, earning a spot on the PAC-12 Academic Honor Roll multiple times during his five years at the U.

Yassmin has advice for other students balancing busy schedules: "You've just got to prioritize certain things. There are a lot of sacrifices that have to be made. Sometimes weekends are just not the weekends you want to have, or your friends ask you to come over and you just have to suck it up and put your head down for a couple hours and get your work done first before you do anything else. Little things add up, an hour here, an hour there, dedicating times where it's undistracted work. By the end of the week, it accumulates. I think that's the thing, just sacrificing certain amounts of time to make sure you get your stuff done first."

Yassmin was fortunate to have had some stellar professors, especially Lajos Horvath, from whom he took multiple classes, and Tom Alberts, his project advisor. They understood his unique position and helped him navigate the balancing act between athletics and math. Yassmin expressed that he probably wouldn't have made it through his MStat degree without them.

Read the rest of Thomas's story by Angie Gardiner at math.utah.edu.

College of Science

Remembering Glenda Woods

Remembering Glenda Woods

A Legacy of Excellence and Kindness in the College of Science

A Tribute to Frank Stenger

A Tribute to Frank Stenger

Frank Stenger, a Kahlert School of Computing emeritus faculty member, passed away on October 23, 2024.

Priyam Patel’s innovative teaching methods recognized

Priyam Patel's innovative teaching methods recognized

Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics Priyam Patel, has been honored with the University of Utah Early Career Teaching Award 2024.

New models shed light on sea ice dynamics

New models shed light on sea ice dynamics

Polar sea ice is ever-changing. It shrinks, expands, moves, breaks apart, reforms in response to changing seasons, and rapid climate change.

A tale of two studies, one north and one south

U student Muskan Walia now holds a leadership role in USHE Board

U student: Muskan Walia now holds a leadership role in USHE Board

Muskan Walia didn’t intend to become a student leader when she started attending the University of Utah in 2020; she just really didn’t want to pay for printing.

New bioinformatics major

New bioinformatics major opens doors to thriving careers

Beginning fall 2024, the degree provides rigorous interdisciplinary training to help graduates thrive in rapidly growing sectors.

The complexity of life

A busy intersection

High-growth career field

What students can expect

Those with the biggest biases choose first

How our biases are reflected in how fast we make decisions

Quick decisions more likely flow from biases, while people who take longer make better decisions, according to study led by Utah mathematicians.

The College of Science Welcomes New Faculty Fellows

THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE WELCOMES NEW FACULTY FELLOWS

Geologist and mathematician to serve during the coming academic year.

Aftermath 2024

Aftermath 2024

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Getting Stuff Done: Thomas Yassmin

Getting Stuff Done

Thomas Yassmin

As an undergraduate, Yassmin completed a double major in quantitative analysis of markets and organizations (QAMO) and mathematics with an emphasis in statistics. This spring he graduated with a master's in statistics.