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There is a quiet study room for Math/CS students, as well as a dedicated computer lab (affectionately dubbed the “nerdery”). |
Dr. Jason Miller
Dr. Jason Miller
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Education
B.A. Mathematics from St. Olaf College
Ph.D. Mathematics from the University of North Carolina
Organizations
Faculty Sponsor, Kappa Mu Epsilon
Research Interests:
Mathematical Biology, singularity theory and the geometry of functions, image analysis and shape description
Additional experiences or positions that have served to support your role as a Truman faculty member:
Budapest Semester of Mathematics
Visiting Member of the Fields Institute
How do you involve undergraduate students in your research?
I hook a student into one of my research groups to learn about the group’s overarching goals and some of the questions that are within reach of an undergraduate new to research. A student could find himself or herself writing a plug-in or stand alone application in Java or Python, studying the mathematics or statistics behind a scheme for detecting the ultrasonic calls for bats, in the laboratory imaging cellular networks, or in the field chasing bats.
What attracted you to teaching at Truman?
Truman’s reputation as an institution with a strong commitment to education in the liberal arts tradition was a strong draw for me, as was the outstanding reputation of its graduates. It’s also a place where faculty themselves are continually growing as scholars by engaging in research and other scholarly activity along side their students.
What do you think makes Truman unique?
No other school that I know of makes so many opportunities available to its students. Its study abroad programs, interdisciplinary studies programs, the countless opportunities for undergraduates to be involved in research with faculty, and Truman’s idyllic setting make Truman a wonderful place to be a student and a teacher.
What do you like best about teaching at Truman?
Truman has some of the brightest and most resourceful students around. They make it a joy (and a challenge) to be in the classroom.
What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment?
My involvement in Truman’s Mathematical Biology Initiative is the professional achievement that is most satisfying to me. This Initiative brings together faculty in biology, statistics, computer science, and mathematics to identify research questions that are best illuminated through an interdisciplinary approach. Cross-disciplinary teams of faculty and undergraduates then pursue these questions in teams! See http://mathbio.truman.edu for more information.
How do you get acquainted with students at Truman?
I interact with many students during our Division Day activities each Fall, as a mentor in our Support for Undergraduate Scholars in Mathematics and Computer Science scholarship program (see http://smacs.truman.edu for more information), and through our section of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society.
What do students seem to like most about your classes?
My enthusiasm for material often affects my students, and seems to be infectious. Many also like that I use colored chalk!
What graduate schools are some of your former students attending?
Iowa State University, SUNY Stony Brook, University of Missouri, University of Illinois, Washington University, University of North Carolina, University of Florida, Baylor Medical School, University of California---Santa Cruz, Case Western Reserve University.
What careers have some of your former students entered?
Mathematical moder for the Mattson Jack Group
Buyer for Famous Barr
IT Specialist for Boeing
Associate Analyst for Southwestern Bell Corporation
Software Engineer at Ball Aerospace
What do you like best about living in Kirksville?
I like the relative quiet, the open space, and the friendliness of the place.
What do you do for fun in Kirksville?
When I can, I play Ultimate Frisbee with faculty and students, mountain bike around Thousand Hills Stat Park, and listen to live music at the Round Barn or the Dukum.
Mathematical Biology, singularity theory and the geometry of functions, image analysis and shape description
Additional experiences or positions that have served to support your role as a Truman faculty member:
Budapest Semester of Mathematics
Visiting Member of the Fields Institute
How do you involve undergraduate students in your research?
I hook a student into one of my research groups to learn about the group’s overarching goals and some of the questions that are within reach of an undergraduate new to research. A student could find himself or herself writing a plug-in or stand alone application in Java or Python, studying the mathematics or statistics behind a scheme for detecting the ultrasonic calls for bats, in the laboratory imaging cellular networks, or in the field chasing bats.
What attracted you to teaching at Truman?
Truman’s reputation as an institution with a strong commitment to education in the liberal arts tradition was a strong draw for me, as was the outstanding reputation of its graduates. It’s also a place where faculty themselves are continually growing as scholars by engaging in research and other scholarly activity along side their students.
What do you think makes Truman unique?
No other school that I know of makes so many opportunities available to its students. Its study abroad programs, interdisciplinary studies programs, the countless opportunities for undergraduates to be involved in research with faculty, and Truman’s idyllic setting make Truman a wonderful place to be a student and a teacher.
What do you like best about teaching at Truman?
Truman has some of the brightest and most resourceful students around. They make it a joy (and a challenge) to be in the classroom.
What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment?
My involvement in Truman’s Mathematical Biology Initiative is the professional achievement that is most satisfying to me. This Initiative brings together faculty in biology, statistics, computer science, and mathematics to identify research questions that are best illuminated through an interdisciplinary approach. Cross-disciplinary teams of faculty and undergraduates then pursue these questions in teams! See http://mathbio.truman.edu for more information.
How do you get acquainted with students at Truman?
I interact with many students during our Division Day activities each Fall, as a mentor in our Support for Undergraduate Scholars in Mathematics and Computer Science scholarship program (see http://smacs.truman.edu for more information), and through our section of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society.
What do students seem to like most about your classes?
My enthusiasm for material often affects my students, and seems to be infectious. Many also like that I use colored chalk!
What graduate schools are some of your former students attending?
Iowa State University, SUNY Stony Brook, University of Missouri, University of Illinois, Washington University, University of North Carolina, University of Florida, Baylor Medical School, University of California---Santa Cruz, Case Western Reserve University.
What careers have some of your former students entered?
Mathematical moder for the Mattson Jack Group
Buyer for Famous Barr
IT Specialist for Boeing
Associate Analyst for Southwestern Bell Corporation
Software Engineer at Ball Aerospace
What do you like best about living in Kirksville?
I like the relative quiet, the open space, and the friendliness of the place.
What do you do for fun in Kirksville?
When I can, I play Ultimate Frisbee with faculty and students, mountain bike around Thousand Hills Stat Park, and listen to live music at the Round Barn or the Dukum.