Spring 2009 I am teaching

Math 211 section 2 Linear Algebra

Math 225 section 1 Advanced Calculus


Click here for further information about courses I am teaching, awards and other teaching experiences.

Currently I am an Assitant 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 Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois. My PhD advisor was John Sullivan. I am originally from Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with B.Sc. (Hons).

My Resume in pdf format (last updated 03/2009).

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 more information about my research; including publications and translations of papers.