Undergraduate Math Conference
Saturday, April 10, 2010
2009 Invited Speaker - Dr. Aparna Higgins
Biography:
Aparna Higgins received her BS in mathematics from the University of Bombay in 1978 and her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame in 1983. Her dissertation was in universal algebra, and her current research interests are in graph theory. She has taught at the University of Dayton, Ohio, since 1984. Although Aparna enjoys teaching, her most fulfilling experiences as a teacher have come from directing undergraduates in mathematical research. She has co-directed an NSF-sponsored REU program, has presented workshops at mathematics meetings on directing undergraduate research, and enjoys giving talks on mathematics to audiences of various levels and backgrounds. Aparna has been the recipient of four teaching awards -- from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Dayton, the Alumni Award (a University-wide award), the Ohio Section of the Mathematical Association of America, and in 2005, the Deborah and Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching, which is the Mathematical Association of America's most prestigious award for teaching. Aparna has served the MAA in many capacities and is currently Director of Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching), a professional development program of the MAA for new or recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences.
Talk Abstract:
TITLE: Demonic Graphs and Undergraduate Research
ABSTRACT: Working with undergraduates on mathematical research has been one of the most satisfying aspects of my professional life. This talk will highlight some of the beautiful and interesting research done by my former undergraduate students on line graphs and pebbling on graphs. We will consider line graphs, some pioneering results in pebbling graphs, and pebbling numbers of line graphs. This work has inspired other students to investigate questions in these areas, and it has contributed to my research as well.
2008 Undergraduate Math Conference 2007 Undergraduate Math Conference Currently undergoing renovation, Ayres Hall is home to the UT Department of Mathematics. |
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This conference is sponsored by the
University of Tennessee Mathematics Department and
the National Science Foundation.