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Elizabeth Denne, Professor of Mathematics

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:

colorful shapes on a grey background
Quadratic surfaces seen in Multivariable Calculus.

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.

A collection of white stick knots and torus shapes.
3D printed knots from Summer Research 2024.

Mathematical Visualization

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.

Colored knot on a black background.
Torus link (5,2) from the Knot Atlas.
  • 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….