I love talking about my research, and am also passionate about teaching. You can find more information on both below!
MA145 Multivariable Calculus
MA400 Combinatorics
MA400/413 Advanced Linear Algebra, Fall 2016, Spring 2019, Fall 2020
MA471 Topics in Algebra, Spring 2021
MA332/410 Abstract Algebra, Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2021, Spring 2024
MA300 Introduction to Proofs, Spring 2020
MA231/213 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024
MA124/145, Multivariable Calculus, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2022, Fall 2023
MA123/135, Calculus, Fall 2015
MA130 Essentials of Calculus, Spring 2019, Fall 2021
DS251 STEM Education, Democracy, and Poverty in South Africa, Spring 2020
Math 71, Honors Algebra, Fall 2013. (Dartmouth)
Math 3, Calculus, Fall 2012. (Dartmouth)
William G. Bowen Distinguished Professorship 2024-2029
U.S. Fulbright Scholar, South Africa, 2022-2023
Pedagogical Practice Project, 2019
Pedagogical Practice Project (with L. Ludwig), 2016
Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher, April 2014.
In Summer 2014, I had the opportunity to spend several months at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, under an NSF GROW with USAID Research and Innovation Fellowship. I worked with Professors Johann Engelbrecht and Caroline Long on developing, implementing, and testing mathematics education materials in South African public schools.
I returned to South Africa in 2023 as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, working with Sol Plaatje University and the Maths and Science Leadership Academy in Kimberley. I taught classes and holiday academies, mentored students, and assisted with curriculum development and teacher training.
Teaching and Learning in South Africa, JMM, San Francisco, CA, January 2024
Learning and Teaching in South Africa, American Mathematical Society Column on Teaching and Learning (2024).
Building Connections in Mathematics Teaching and Learning (Plenary Address), AMESA Kimberley, South Africa, May 2023
Using Portfolios & Reflection as an Alternative to Final Exams, MAA Mathfest (virtual), August 2021
Student Writing as a Tool for Synthesizing Ideas in Calculus, MAA Mathfest, Chicago, IL, July 2017
A Question-Based Approach to Linear Algebra, MAA MathFest, Columbus, OH, August 2016
Introducing Inquiry-Based Mathematics Learning Materials into South African Public Schools, Joint Mathematics Meetings, Seattle, WA, January 2016
I am particularly excited about exploring the link between algebra and graph theory by translating algebraic problems into combinatorial questions about graphs, and vice versa. My research unites discrete mathematics with representation theory and algebraic combinatorics through a generalization of the classical discrete Fourier transform to finite groups and semisimple algebras. I have developed efficient algorithms to compute generalized Fourier transforms and have investigated applications, particularly in random walks and voting theory.
Computational Bounds for Doing Harmonic Analysis on Permutation Modules of Finite Groups (with M. Hansen, M. Koyama, M.B.A McDermott, and M.E. Orrison), Journal of Fourier Analysis and Applications (2021)
Inferring Rankings from First Order Marginals, Recent Developments in Mathematical, Statistical and Computational Sciences (2021)
Random walks on the BMW monoid: an algebraic approach, Journal of Algebraic Combinatorics (2019)
Generalized Fourier Transforms and their Applications, dissertation (2015).
Asymptotic Growth of Associated Primes of Certain Graph Ideals, Communications in Algebra 42 (2014)
Robert C. Good Faculty Fellowship, Spring 2021.
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 2011-2015.
National Science Foundation GROW with USAID Research and Innovation Fellow, South Africa, Summer 2014.
What I Think About When I Think About Voting, American Mathematical Society Feature Column (2023)
Computational Bounds for Doing Harmonic Analysis on Permutation Modules of Finite Groups, JMM (virtual), April 2022
Your Vote Counts! A talk about using math to analyze election outcomes, Cal State LA Women in Math Seminar (virtual), August 2020
Your Vote Counts! A talk about using math to analyze election outcomes, Kenyon College Math Monday, Gambier, OH, February 2020
Inferring Rankings From First Order Marginals, AMMCS, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, August 2019
When not math-ing, I am running as much as possible. I played soccer in college (go tigers!) and have since taken up distance running. I've run many half-marathons, six marathons, three 50ks, a two-day stage race, four 50-milers, eight Alonzo-Stagg 50/20s, and two backyard ultras. In January 2020, I completed the HURT100 100-mile race in the mountains above Honolulu. Here’s me kissing the finish line sign that says ‘Aole makou e ho’ohikiwale kela (We Wouldn’t Want It To Be Easy).
Photo Credit: Augusto Decastro
Trail running and mathematics are more related than you might think! In 2018, I gave an Ignite! talk at PCMI on this subject. You can watch it here.
Email: wolffs@denison.edu
Office: 211 Olin
