The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has over 40 faculty members and staff who are active teachers, scholars, and mentors. They have a wide variety of professional and personal interests.
Faculty and Staff Profiles
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Full-Time Faculty
Carlos Alves
Associate Professor, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Office: SCP 213, x-2500
Email: alvesc@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule
MAT 127, Calculus A, TuF 12:30-1:50 pm, W 10:00-10:50 am.
MAT 305, Abstract Algebra, TuF 2:00-3:50 pm.
Research Interests –
Logic, Set Theory.
Kris Braaten
Visiting Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Maryland at College Park
Office: SCP 241, x-2259
Email: braatenk@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule
MAT 125, Calculus for Business & Social Sciences, MTh 8:30-9:50 am.
STA 115, Statistics, TF 10:00-11:20 am.
STA 215, Statistical Inference, TTh 5:30-6:50 pm; and TTh 7:00-8:20 pm.
Research Interests – Dr. Braaten has fifteen years of experience working as an applied statistician, primarily in survey research for the federal government. Her statistical work on large-scale surveys encompassed sample design research, implementation of selection and weighting/estimation procedures, and technical documentation.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Braaten has over ten years of teaching experience in statistics and mathematics. She has taught statistics and sampling in an international training program, statistics and applied regression at the university level, mathematics in grades 7-12, and, most recently, algebra at the community college level.
Karen Clark
Associate Professor, Ph.D., Courant Institute, New York University
Office: SCP 204, x-2019
Email: kclark@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule
MAT 229, Multivariable Calculus, TF 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am.
MAT 454, Seminar in Applied Mathematics, TF 12:30-1:50 pm; and TF 2:00-3:20 pm
Research Interests –
Mathematical modeling of composite materials, climate modeling.
Andrew Clifford
Professor, Ph.D., State University of New York – Albany
Office: SCP 206, x-3060
Email: cliffan@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 229, Multivariable Calculus, MTh 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am; and MTh 12:30-1:50 pm, W 10:00-10:50 am.
Research Interests – Dr. Clifford’s field of mathematics is Combinatorial Group Theory. This branch of math is at the intersection of algebra and low-dimensional topology. His particular interests include equations over groups and automorphisms of free groups.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Clifford has taught a wide array of courses for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Recently, his focus has been on the calculus sequence and various upper level courses in geometry and topology.
Ed Conjura
Professor, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Office: SCP 210, x-2269
Email: conjura@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 200, Proof Writing Through Discrete Mathematics, MTh 4:00-5:20 pm, W 4:30-5:20 pm.
MAT 320, Complex Analysis, MTh 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am.
Research Interests – Financial Mathematics
Robert Cunningham
Professor, E.D., Temple University
Office: SCP 246, x-2127
Email: bobc@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 205, Linear Algebra: Theory & Applications, MTh 8:30-9:50 am, W 9:00-8:50 am; and MTh 10:00-11:20 am, W9:00-9:50 am.
Research Interests – Topics in Math Education including Technology in Support of Instruction
Cynthia Curtis
Professor, Ph.D., Yale University
Office: SCP 208, x-2026
Email: ccurtis@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 51, Geometry, TF 12:30-1:50 pm.
Research Interests – Professor Curtis studies three-dimensional spaces (such as our universe) and knots. Interestingly, all three-dimensional spaces can be built from knots, so understanding knots and understanding 3-dimensional spaces are closely related. Most of her work involves trying to understand how we can recognize when two spaces or two knots are different from one another. (Imagine two different massively tangled shoe laces and ask yourself how you would know if they are tangled in exactly the same way!)
Teaching Interests – Most frequently, I teach multivariable calculus and various upper level courses in geometry and topology. I have also occasionally taught courses in algebra and number theory, and one semester I taught an FSP on the shape of the universe. Finally, I very much enjoy supervising undergraduate research projects, most commonly in knot theory.
Jana Gevertz
Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Princeton University
Office: SCP 212, x-3314
Email: gevertz@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 128, Calculus B, MTh 12:30-1:50 pm, W 10:00-10:50 am; and MTh 2:00-3:20 pm, W. 11:00-11:50 am.
Research Interests – Dr. Gevertz works in the field of mathematical biology, studying cancer progression using tools from applied and computational mathematics. In particular, Dr. Gevertz aims to synthesize data gathered by biologists and clinicians in order to quantify the complex multi-scale interactions that occur within a tumor, and between a tumor and its surrounding environment. By analyzing these mathematical models, Dr. Gevertz seeks to gain a better understanding of tumor growth and treatment.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Gevertz teaches introductory calculus courses and upper-level applied mathematics courses, including Linear Programming and Differential Equations. She has also mentored independent study and capstone students in various applied mathematics topics.
Thomas R. Hagedorn
Co-Chair and Professor , Ph.D. Harvard University
Office: SCP 233, x-3053
Email: hagedorn@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
Research Interests – Professor Hagedorn’s main research interests are in number theory and algebra, specifically elliptic curves, representation theory, and invariant theory. He has also worked on a number of problems in computational mathematics and some recent work has focused on extending the number of values known for various problems in algebra and number theory. This work is a combination of improved mathematical algorithms and efficient computer algorithms. Previously, he has worked in combinatorics and applied algebraic geometry (in phylogenetics to predict evolutionary trees in biology).
Teaching Interests – Professor Hagedorn primarily teaches courses in linear algebra, abstract algebra and number theory, but also has interests in the teaching of calculus and the use of technology in mathematics instruction. He has taught courses in cryptography, geometry, the mathematics of voting and choice, and the culture, politics and science of food (as part of the TCNJ’s FSP program). He has also mentored many independent study, independent research, and capstone projects on a diverse range of subjects including cryptography, the rank of elliptic curves, the circumference of an ellipse, Riemann surfaces, and moduli spaces in physics.
Leona A. Harris
Associate Professor, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Office: SCP 245, x-3084
Email: harrisl@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 205, Linear Algebra, MTh 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am.
MAT 326, Differential Equations, MTh 10:00-11:20 am.
Research Interests – Dr. Harris conducts research in the interdisciplinary field of Mathematical Biology. Her most recent work focuses on Pharmacokinetic Modeling, an area or research that lies at the intersection of Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry. This research involves the development and utilization of mathematical models called physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models that describe the fate of a toxic chemical in the body following external exposure to the chemical (e.g. inhalation, ingestion).
Teaching Interests – Dr. Harris has taught a wide variety of mathematics courses including Calculus A, Calculus B, Business Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, and Real Analysis. She has also developed a course in Mathematical Biology here at the College that has been offered in 2007 and 2010.
Nancy Hingston
Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University
Office: SCP 241, x-2259
Email: hingston@tcnj.edu
Research Interests – Differential geometry and topology; loop spaces, symplectic dynamics, closed geodesics, Hamiltonian systems.
Teaching Interests – Multivariable calculus, differential geometry, complex analysis, differential and algebraic topology.
David I. Holmes
Professor, Ph.D., King’s College, University of London (UK)
Office: SCP 203, x-2164
Email: dholmes@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
STA 215, Statistical Inference, MTh 12:30-1:50 pm; and MTh 2:00-3:20 pm.
STA 303, Design of Experiments, MW 5:30-6:50 pm.
Research Interests – Dr. Holmes has worked for some thirty years in the field of “stylometry’ – the application of statistical techniques to literary style, in particular authorship attribution. This research, by its very nature, is interdisciplinary and Dr. Holmes has worked with experts from the fields of classics, English literature, speech defects, psychology and military history on a variety of projects all geared to detecting the author of anonymous or suspect manuscripts, letters or books.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Holmes’ teaching spans introductory level statistics through to applied upper-level courses such as Regression Analysis, Applied Multivariate Analysis, Design and Analysis of Experiments and Sampling and Nonparametric Statistics. He has also mentored numerous independent study/research and capstone projects.
Mike Iannone
Professor, Ed.D., Rutgers University
Office: SCP 243, x-3042
Email: iannone@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 105, Mathematical Structures and Algorithms for Educators I, TF 12:30-1:50 pm.
STA 215, Statistical Inference, TF 8:30-9:50 am; and TF 10:00-11:20 am.
Research Interests – Most recently Dr. I, as he is known to his students, has devoted much of his work toward using technology in the classroom. A recipient of a Texas Instruments grant, he has worked with many of the top educators in the country on TI’s latest handheld computing device the TI-Nspire. He has incorporated the use of this technology into many of the classes he teaches here at the college. Additionally he has shared a number of the Nspire activities he has developed on TI’s educational website.
Teaching Interests – In his long tenure here at the college Dr I served as chair of the department for 14 years. He has taught many of the offerings of the department and was the department’s first recipient of the math club’s Teacher of the Year award. For the past few years though, he has concentrated on teaching mathematics courses for elementary majors and statistics courses in which he utilizes technology as noted above.
Judit Kardos
Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Missouri – Kansas City
Office: SCP 209, x-2241
Email: kardosj@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 127, Calculus A, TF 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am.
MAT 453, Seminar in Analysis, TF 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am.
Research Interests - I am interested in problems in Real Analysis that provide insight into the highly unintuitive nature of the actually infinite. I worked on problems related to Cantor-type sets on the real line, finding Hausdorff dimensions and measures of such sets. I am also interested in understanding the changes in the wider historical and philosophical views of the infinite that eventually lead to the legitimization of the use of the actually infinite in mathematics.
Teaching Interests – I have implemented new technology in our introductory courses in Statistics and Linear Algebra. I was in charge of recreating our course in History of mathematics with a broader philosophical perspective to satisfy the World Views of Knowing Liberal learning requirement. I have guided several capstone projects in the areas of Number theory and Real analysis. I am teaching all my courses as discovery based, problem solving courses in the Hungarian tradition. Courses offered regularly include Calculus and courses in Real analysis including upper level seminars and Independent Research.
Boo Sang Lee
Associate Professor, Ph.D. Washington University
Office: SCP 239, x-2189
Email: boosang@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 128, Calculus B, MTh 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am; and TF 8:30-9:50 am, W8:00-8:50 am.
Research Interests –Complex Analysis
Cathy S. Liebars
Co-Chair and Associate Professor, Ph.D., Lehigh University
Office: SCP 234, x-3043
Email: liebars@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 114, Patterns, Functions and Algebra for Middle School Teachers, MTh 4:00-5:20 pm.
Research Interests – For the last several years, Dr. Liebars has been interested in investigating the impact of sustained professional development on the teaching and learning of K-12 teachers and their students. She is currently working one-on-one with teachers in a local district using a coaching environment and studying instruments that can be used to evaluate and support the teachers.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Liebars teaches content and methods courses for preservice teachers at all levels K-12. In particular, she has created and teaches a series of courses for students and teachers who wish to obtain the middle school endorsement in mathematics. She also supervises student teachers and is the Coordinator of Math Education for the department.
Sharon Navard
Assistant Professor, Ph.D., The University of Southwestern Louisiana
Office: SCP 244, x-3040
Email: navard@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 316, Probability, MW 5:30-6:50 pm, Th 5:30-6:20 pm; and MW 7:00-8:20 pm, Th 7:00-7:50 pm.
STA 215, Statistical Inference, MTh 4:00-5:20 pm.
Research Interests – Instrument Calibration, Reliability, Variance Bounds, Quality Control.
Aigli Papantonopoulou
Professor, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley
Office: SCP 233, x-2704
Email: aigli@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 128, Calculus B, MTh 12:30-1:50 pm, W 10:00-10:50 am; and MTh 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am
Research Interests – Dr. Papantonopoulou has worked on classification problems in Algebraic Geometry and Commutative Algebra, specifically on algebraic curves and surfaces over the complex numbers.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Papantonopoulou has taught a broad range of courses in mathematics, starting with Calculus, Number Theory, Complex variables, and Abstract Algebra. She has taught senior seminars in Group Theory and in Galois Theory. Her textbook Algebra: Pure and Applied has been published by Prentice Hall.
Dave Reimer
Associate Professor, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Office: SCP 211, x-2382
Email: dreimer@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 200, Proof Writing Through Discrete Mathematics, TF 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am.
MAT 255, Perspectives on the Development of Math, TF 4:00-5:20 pm, W 4:30-5:20 pm.
Research Interests – Combinatorics, Graph Theory.
Farshid Safi
Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Office: SCP 205, x-2533
Email: safi@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MTT 390, Methods of Teaching Math, TF 2:00-3:20 pm.
Research Interests – Dr. Safi focuses on developing prospective teachers’ conceptual understanding of elementary and secondary mathematics, as well as connecting mathematical topics through the use of technology and dynamic software. He uses an alternate base system to explore whole number concepts and operations with future elementary teachers, and utilizes dynamic technology to explore mathematical misconceptions and develop prospective secondary teachers’ conjecturing and questioning strategies. Furthermore, he is in the process of creating a mathematics education genealogy project documenting the development and evolution of the field of mathematics education and research literature.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Safi’s teaching primarily covers teaching calculus A and B as well as elementary and secondary mathematics education content and methods courses. He is very interested in creative ways to engage students in classroom discourse and regularly focuses on conceptual understanding of the subject matter. In addition, his pedagogical approaches emphasize multiple representations, use of technology and a problem solving approach from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Suriza Van der Sandt
Associate Professor, Ph.D., Potchefstroom University (South Africa)
Office: SCP 240, x-3061
Email: vandersa@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 105, Mathematical Structures and Algorithms for Educators I, MTh 8:30-9:50 am.
MAT 127, Calculus A, MTh 10:00-11:20 am, W 9:00-9:50 am.
Research Interests – Dr. Van der Sandt conducts research in the broad area of pre-service mathematics teacher education. Her research interests include geometry teaching and learning, focusing on spatial orientation and spatial insight. More recently she has also conducted research on factors influencing teaching and learning of pre-service mathematics teachers (e.g. mathematics anxiety) as well as factors affecting observational learning (e.g. self-efficacy and outcome expectations).
Teaching Interests –Dr. Van der Sandt’s teaching covers both pure mathematics and mathematics education. Pure mathematics courses include Calculus and Applied Liberal Art Mathematics. Mathematics education courses include both content courses and methodology courses specifically designed for education students: e.g. Mathematical Structures and Algorithms for Educators; Perspectives on the Development of Mathematics; Teaching Mathematics in the Early Childhood and the Elementary Classroom; Patterns, Functions, and Algebra for Middle School Teachers and regularly visits schools to observe senior mathematics education majors during their student teaching.
Chamont Wang
Professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Office: SCP 242, x-3041
Email: wang@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
STA 215, Statistical Inference, MTh 8:30-9:50 am; and TF 2:00-3:20 pm; and TF 12:30-1:50 pm.
STA 307, Data Mining and Predictive Modeling, MTh 2:00-3:20 pm.
Research Interests – Data Mining, Predictive Modeling, Detection of Misused Statistics, Dynamic Data Visualization, Chaos and Dynamical Systems
Qifu Zheng
Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Vermont
Office: SCP 247, x-2137
Email: zheng@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MAT 229, Multivariable Calculus, TF 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am.
MAT 301, Number Theory, TF 8:30-9:50 am; and TF 10:00-11:20 am.
Research Interests – Group Representations, Integral Transformations, Multivariate Statistics.
Faculty from Other Departments
James Beyers
Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education (EECE)
Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Univeristy of Delaware
Office: Forcina Hall, x-3422
Email: beyers@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
MTT 202, Teaching Mathematics in the Early Childhood and Elementary School Classroom, TF 8:30-11:20 am.
Mohamoud Ismail
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Wayne State University
Office: Social Science Building 311, x-2180
Email: mismail@tcnj.edu
Instructor Schedule-
STA 115, Statistics, MTh 12:30-1:50 pm.
Part-Time Faculty
Yusef Abdi
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email:abdi@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 96, Pre Calculus, T 5:30-8:20; Th 5:30-8:20
Monica Biro
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: biro@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT 96, Pre Calculus, M 5:30-8:20 pm.
Sheldon Blackman
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: sheltis@verizon.net
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT 101, Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics, MW 5:30-6:50 pm.
Barbara Braverman
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: braverm5@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MTT 202, Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools, MTh 12:30-3:20 pm.
Marianne Chorba
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: chorba@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 109
- Schedule:
Saundra Conte
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: conte@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MTT202, Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools, MTh, 12:30-3:20 pm; MTT 490, Student Teaching Math.
Hector Dimas
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: dimas@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 128, Calculus B, TuF 2:00-3:20 pm, W 11:00-11:50 am.
Elizabeth Drews
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: drews@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 128, Calculus B, TF 12:30-1:50 pm, W 10:00-10:50 am.
Arthur Du Pre’
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: dupre@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 95, Intermediate Algebra, TF 8:30-9:50 am; MAT 101, Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics, TF 2:00-3:20 pm.
Mike Haleta
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: haleta@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MTT 490, Student Teaching.
Warner Johnson
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: johnsonw@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 125, Calculus for Busness & Social Sciences, MTh 12:30-1:50 pm; and MR 2:00-3:20 pm.
Stephen Koffler
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: koffler@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: STA 115, Statistics, TTh 5:30-6:50 pm; and TTh 7:00-8:20 pm.
Kellie McKinney
- Phone: (609) 771-2976; (856) 256-4275
- Email: perkowsk@tcnj.edu; mckinney@rowan.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT 096, Pre Calculus, TTh 7:00-8:20 pm.
George Pangalos
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: pangalos@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 109
- Schedule: MAT 127, Calculus A, MW 5:30-7:30 pm; and MW 7:30-9:30 pm.
Adam Shrager
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: shragera@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: STA 115, Statistics, MW 5:30-6:50 pm; and MW 7:00-8:20 pm.
Ruth Sweeney
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: curtier@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MTT 490, Student Teaching Math.
Titus Teodorescu
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: tteodores@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 229, Multivariable Calculus, MW 5:00-7:00 pm.
Richard Thayer
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: thayer@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT 317, Linear Programming, MTh 4:00-5:20 pm.
Shwetketu Virbhadra
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email:
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT 101, Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics, TF 4:00-5:20 pm.
Eric Wasserman
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: wasserma@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108/109
- Schedule: MAT106, Mathematics Structures and Algorithms II, MW from 5:30-6:50 pm; and MW 7:00-8:20 pm.
David Watson
- Phone: (609) 771-2976
- Email: watsonda@tcnj.edu
- Office: Science Complex 108
- Schedule: MAT 101, Applied Liberal Arts, MW 7:00-8:20 pm.
Staff
Program Assistant
Laurie Wanat
- Office: Science Complex P231
- Phone: (609) 771-2269
- Email: wanatl@tcnj.edu
Secretary
Mrs. Dee Moyer
- Office: Science Complex P231
- Phone: (609) 771-2534
- Email: dmoyer@tcnj.edu
Student Workers
- Kayla Coleman
- Emily DeCarlo
- Julie Melzer
Retired Secretaries
Jane Levandusky
Email: levandus@tcnj.edu
Former Faculty
Elizabeth D. Johnson
Visiting Assistant Professor (2009-2011), Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Research Interests – Dr. Johnson’s research interests include Statistics Education and Psychometrics. In the field of Statistics Education, her focus has been on teacher training and support and the use of technology in the classroom. In the field of Psychometrics, her focus has been on educational measurement in particular the scoring of performance assessment items.
Teaching Interests – Dr. Johnson has taught numerous Mathematics and Statistics courses at both the high school and college level since 1992. She has been involved in the grading of Advanced Placement Statistics exams since 2003 and has recently been promoted to Table Leader. She was awarded the Adjunct Mathematics Teacher of the Year in 1997 for her work at Midlands Technical College, South Carolina and the “Two Thumbs Up” Award from of University of South Carolina Office of Disability Services in 2009 for making a difference in the education of students with disabilities.
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