Elizabeth Denne
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Smith College
Contact information
- Office: Burton Hall 312
- Email (edenne at smith.edu) is the most reliable way of contacting me.
- My office phone (413) 585–3757 has a message box which I mostly remember to check.
- Fax: (413) 585–3786
- Snail mail works too: Elizabeth Denne, Smith College, Clark Science Center, 44 College Lane, Northampton MA 01063.
Resume
Currently I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at Smith College. From June 2004 to July 2007 I was a Benjamin Peirce Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harvard University. I was awarded my Ph.D. in May 2004 from the Unviersity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. My PhD advisor was John Sullivan. I am originally from Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with B.Sc. (Hons) in pure mathematics.
Click here for my resume in pdf format (last updated 09/2009).
Teaching
In Fall 2009 I teach
- Linear Algebra Math 211 Section 1
- Introduction to Topology Math 342 Section 1
- Special Studies in Algebraic Topology
Click here for more details about my teaching.
Research
I am interested in Geometric Knot Theory. My research uses topological knot invariants to answer questions about the geometry of knots. (For example, how much bend or twist does a knot have?) I'm also interested in optimization and finding ideal knot shapes. (For example, given a piece of rope of fixed diameter, how much length is needed to tie a knot? What shape is a tight knot?) My research has applications to biology (for example the shape of folded proteins and DNA) and to physics (for example classifying glueballs in particle physics).
Click here for preprints, publications and translations.
I also advise research projects for undergraduate students.
Click here for more information.
Activities
I am one of the Smith College Change Ringers who ring in the bell tower in the Mendenhall Center on the Smith Campus. Information about bell ringing can be found here.
