TAMARA B. VEENSTRA
CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

Ph.D Mathematics, Dartmouth College, 1997
Dissertation: Characterizing Siegel Modular Forms
Advisor: Thomas Shemanske
 
A.M. Mathematics, Dartmouth College, 1994

B.S. Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1992

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor, University of Redlands, 2001-present

Structure classroom environment to encourage active learning. Pedagogical strategies chosen from collaborative activities (both in and outside of class), writing activities, and interactive lectures. Incorporate technology as appropriate.

  • Abstract Algebra: An upper level course for mathematics majors with a heavy emphasis on writing proofs.
  • Calculus I, II and III: Basic introduction to Calculus for both majors and non-majors using reform text and strong focus on collaborative learning.
  • Conjecture and Proof in Discrete Mathematics: Cryptography: Designed a course to introduce mathematics majors and minors to the exciting applications of mathematics to cryptography.
  • The Mathematics of Symmetry and Pattern: Designed a freshman seminar to explore connections between mathematics and art.
  • Number Theory and History of Math: A sophomore/upper level course for majors. Taught as a writing intensive course (WB).

Student Research Projects

  • James Graham: worked with James in a directed study, summer research project, and as his senior honors project advisor on connections between abstract algebra, cryptography and cryptanalysis.
  • Kim Oho: Advisor for Kim's senior honors project on elliptic curve cryptography.
  • Tabitha Dayton-Larson: Advisor for Tabitha's senior project on the mathematics of origami.

Assistant Professor, University of Northern Iowa, 1997-2001

  • Analysis for Business Students -- Piloted text which was part of an NSF-sponsored project to incorporate business applications and technology (TI-82/83 calculators) in college algebra.
  • Calculus I and II -- Taught with Harvard Consortium text and strong focus on collaborative learning.
  • Math for Biological Sciences -- Designed a new course to present college algebra material in the context of applications to biological sciences. Worked with biology faculty to develop curriculum.
  • Modern Algebra I-- Taught an introduction to groups, rings and fields to pure math and secondary education majors. Revised content from groups only to reflect changes in the secondary education major.
  • Number Theory -- Redesigned course to illustrate connections to modern algebra (a pre-requisite) and to better serve secondary education majors.
  • Seminar in Cryptology, Presidential Scholars Seminar -- Designed a course to introduce honors students (non-math majors) to interesting mathematics through the powerful real-life application of cryptology.

Independent Studies

  • Number Theory, Alyssa Farrell.
  • Modern Algebra II, LaNel Carey.
  • Generalized Fibonacci Sequences, Patricia Nadolsky.
  • Studies in Mathematical Proof, LaNel Carey.

Student Research Projects

  • Senior Seminar Supervisor-- Directed 7 semester-long undergraduate student research projects (mostly expository). Included weekly discussions of the students' projects, and written and oral presentations by the students. (Spring 1998, Spring 1999, Spring 2000)
    • Elliptic and Hyperelliptic Curve Cryptography, Aaron Howard.
    • The Algebra of 12-Tone Scales, Marcus Bishop.
    • Overview of Advanced Encryption Standard: An Analysis of DES and Rijndal, Douglas Stockel.
    • Mathematics and 3-D Computer Graphics, Cory Heise.
    • An Introduction to Cryptography, Marc Hauge.
    • The Fibonacci Numbers, From a Solution to a Sequence, Patricia Nadolsky.
    • Modeling DNA Cell Growth with Differential Equations, Jamie Jones.
  • Periodicity of Fibonacci Numbers -- Worked with Lisa Odland to explore and prove some conjectures she made about the periodicity of Fibonacci numbers mod n.

Mathematics Lecturer and Teaching Assistant, Dartmouth College, 1992-1997.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

Provost's Mini-Grant, University of Northern Iowa, Summer 2000: Received funding for a two week project entitled "Integrating Math and Biology: Continuing Course Revision and Teacher Reflection". Revised the course, Math for the Biological Sciences, with mathematics educator, Catherine Miller, and discussed related issues of pedagogy.

AWM Travel Grant, March 2000: Received funding to attend the Automorphic Forms and Related Topics Conference, University of Colorado at Boulder.

Graduate College Project Grant, University of Northern Iowa, Spring 2000: Received funding to conduct study on the effect of the pilot course, Math for the Biological Sciences. Funding provided student assistance to take field notes of class sessions, interview students, and transcribe these notes and interviews.

Presidential Scholar Seminar, University of Northern Iowa, Spring 2000: One of six faculty (per year) selected from a university wide pool to design and teach a semester-long Presidential Scholar Seminar.

Project NExT Fellow, 1997-1998: Chosen to be a member of a national program sponsored by MAA and Exxon. The focus of this program is to support young mathematics faculty in their effort to improve the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics.

AWM Workshop Graduate Student Presenter, January 1997: Among 12 graduate students selected nationwide to present research and participate in an AWM Workshop.

Julia Robinson Conference Graduate Student Presenter, July 1996: Chosen from nationwide pool of graduate students to present research and attend conference, sponsored by AWM, NSF, NSA, and MSRI.

 

PUBLICATIONS

"The Matrix Connection: Fibonacci and Inductive Proof", with Catherine Miller, submitted Spring 2004.

"College Algebra with Applications: Math for Biology", with Catherine Miller, The AMATYC Review, volume 24, number 2, Spring 2003, pp. 15-22.

"Visions of Self in the Act of Teaching: Using Personal Metaphors in Collaborative Study of Teaching Practices," with Melissa Heston, Linda Fitzgerald, Katherine East, and Catherine Miller, Teaching and Learning: The Journal of Natural Inquiry & Reflective Practice, Summer 2002, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp 81-93.

"Fibonacci: Beautiful Patterns, Beautiful Math," with Catherine Miller, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, January 2002, pp 298-305.

"Siegel Modular Forms, L-functions, and Satake Parameters," Journal of Number Theory 87, March 2001, pp. 15-20.

"The Impact of an Experimental Course: Math for Biology", with Catherine Miller, Proceedings of the Psychology of Mathematics Education Conference(XXII), Tucson, AZ, October 2000, p. 683.

 

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Visual aids for volumes of revolution and 3D functions in Calculus, AMS/MAA National Meetings, January 2004.

A Model for Introducing Student Research Opportunities in a Number Theory Class: Matrices and Fibonacci, AMS/MAA National Meetings, January 2003.

Issues Surrounding the Value and Impact of Homework Especially as Informed by the Research in Mathematics Education, Project NExT Panel discussion, AMS/MAA National Meetings, January 2003.

How Fermat's Last Theorem Led To Centuries Of Number Theory And How Centuries Of Number Theory Led Back To Fermat's Last Theorem, University of Redlands Math Dept colloquium, October 2002, and UNI colloquium, April 1998.

Introduction to the Hiring Process: Preparation, Execution, and Follow-up, Project NExT Panel discussion, AMS/MAA National Meetings, January 2002.

Redefining College Algebra: Math for Biology, AMS/MAA joint meetings, January 2001.

The Impact of an Experimental Mathematics Course: Math for Biological Sciences, RUME Conference, September 2000, PME-NA Conference, October 2000, and Colloquium, University of Northern Iowa, November 2000.

Exploring Mathematical Patterns of the Fibonacci Sequence, Summer DoDEA Institute, University of Northern Iowa (UNI), July 2000. and NCTM, Chicago, April 2000.

Tangles, Square-dancing, and Knots, UNI Math Club, October 1999.

Variations on a Theme: Determining the Minimal Level of Modular Forms, Automorphic Forms and Related Topics Conference, University of California at Santa Barbara, March 1999.

Modular Forms and L-functions, Colloquium, University of Missouri at Columbia, October 1998.

Siegel Modular Forms and L-functions, Algebra and Number Theory Conference, University of Missouri at Columbia, October 1998.

Pine Cones and Number Theory, University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Math Club, October 1998 and UNI Fall Mathematics Conference, September 1998.

"Math Jeopardy" and "Murder Mystery" -- Two Calculus Activities, Project NExT Calculus Trading Post Session, MAA Mathfest, Toronto, July 1998.

Minimal Levels Of Siegel Modular Forms, Automorphic Forms and Related Topics Conference, Columbia, Missouri, March 1998.

Growing An Active Classroom -- The Pros And Cons Of Different Strategies, panel discussion, AMS/MAA national meeting, Project NExT Program, January 1998.

Soap Bubble Geometry , UNI Math club, January 1998 and Graduate Student Seminar, Dartmouth College, August 1996.

 

SELECTED SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Departmental Activities at the University of Redlands

  • Faculty Advisor for 17 first-year students (mostly non-majors) and 1 sophomore math major, 2002-present.
  • Faculty Co-Advisor (with Jim Bentley) for the Denominators (the math club), 2003-present.
  • Revised and Maintain the Department Website, 2002-present.
  • Search Committee for Computer Science Position, 2002-2003.
  • Assisted Sandy Koonce with the Putnam problem solving group, Fall 2002.
  • Taught Finite Math (as overload) for 2 weeks when Mercedes Reid-Ford became ill, Fall 2002.
  • Supervisor for Marianne Hagen's Johnston course Women and Mathematics, May 2003.

University Activities

  • Co-Convener (with David Soulsby) of Untenured Faculty Caucus &endash; organized meetings to discuss the review process, interpreting student evaluations, first-year seminars, doing research at a small teaching school, as well as social events.

Community Activities

  • Motivational Speaker, AAUW Annual Math-Science Conference for 8th grade girls, Redlands, January 2003.
  • Judge for Ninth Grade Math Fair, Price Lab School, Cedar Falls, IA, May 2000.
  • Come And Do The Math Dance, presentation to local high school students as part of a AAUW sponsored career exploration day, Cedar Falls, IA, April 1998.

Professional Service Activities

  • Co-organized AMS special session, with Sharon Frechette, "Elliptic Curves, Modular Forms, and Related Topics," AMS-MAA National Meetings, January 2000.
  • Reviewer, Reviewed paper entitled Fibonacci Matrices and their Applications to Coding and Cryptography for The Computer Journal, January 2002 and NSF proposal, January 2000.

Supervised Student Papers

  • Master's Thesis Committee Member/Temporary Advisor, Spring 1998-Summer 1999, Graph Theory and Linear Algebra, Latricia Hylton.
  • Advisor for KME (Math Honor Society) Papers, Spring 1999 and Spring 2000.
    • A Historical Account of Perfect Numbers, LaNel Carey.
    • Some Properties of Fibonacci Numbers, Tom Heit.

Departmental Activities at University of Northern Iowa

  • Faculty Advisor for 16-20 undergraduate students (1998-2001)
  • Mathematics Education Committee (1997-2001)
  • Mathematics Search Committee Co-chair, with sarah-marie belcastro (1999-2000)
  • New Faculty Mentor (1999-2000)
  • Student Outcomes Assessment Committee -- Interviewed pure mathematics majors to determine their satisfaction with the major and the department. (1997-2000)
  • Mathematics Search Committee (1998-1999)
  • Major/Course Revision Committee -- Chaired committee and wrote proposal to revise Number Theory Course and to revise secondary education and pure mathematics majors to include course. (1997-1998)

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