Office: 202 Chavis Hall
Phone: (540) 458 8064
Email: dennee at wlu.edu
Email is the most reliable way of reaching me.
Resume
I am a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Washington & Lee University.
I am originally from Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with B.Sc. (Hons) in pure mathematics. I was awarded my Ph.D. in May 2004 from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. My PhD advisor was John M. Sullivan. From July 2004 to June 2007 I was a Benjamin Peirce Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Harvard University and from July 2007 to June 2012 I was an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Smith College. I have been happily working at Washington & Lee University since July 2012, first as an assistant professor, from June 2015 as an associate professor, then from June 2022 as a full professor.
My CV/resume:
- Short version – 4 pages (last updated 08/2024).
- Long version – 11 pages (last updated 08/2024).
Teaching
Fall 2024
- Math 102 Calculus II
- Math 343 Geometry
Click here for more details about my teaching.
Interested in Graduate school in the mathematical sciences? Click here for information.
Mathematical Visualization
- My blog Visions in Math.
- My Thingiverse page.
- Click here to find a complete description of everything we’ve been doing lately.
Research
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). I also work with undergraduate students on research on folded ribbon knots and the mathematics of tie knots.
- Click here for preprints, publications and translations.
- I also advise research projects for undergraduate students. Click here for more information.
Links
Click here for more links. Here are some interesting things….
- MegaMenger: a world wide build of a 3D fractal.
- The Knot Atlas: a resource for knot theorists.