Bio

Math and I have always been friends. I like math because it is logical and open to creativity at the same time. So I like teaching: I always want to find exciting and insightful ways to present the complicated ideas of math to my students. Research reminds me of Moby Dick; there are grand exciting goals, adventures along the way, and a careful recording of minute details at some points. As a mathematical logician, I am motivated by questions bordering on the philosophical. What are the limits of mathematics? What is absolutely necessary in the proof of a particular theorem? Does my proof of the existence of some object lead to an actual construction of that object?

I was awarded my PhD from Notre Dame in 2010; my undergraduate studies were at the University of Dallas. For a few years I considered becoming a Catholic priest, and I studied theology and philosophy at the graduate level at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. In my studies and pastoral work at that time I honed my listening skills and ability to explain complicated theoretical ideas to the average person. That makes me a better teacher now — I listen to students and speak to their perspectives.

Since starting at Butler in January of 2013 I have worked to be an excellent teacher, good department member, and productive researcher in computability theory. I participate in official and social events in the mathematics department with faculty and students and take up service roles, such as organizing the 2013 Putnam exam, co-advising the math club, and serving on the planning committee for the 2013 departmental faculty retreat. I have enjoyed teaching a wide variety of courses in which I’ve taught students with interests ranging from business to math. I take advantage of departmental colloquia and have even sat in on a seminar in operator theory (outside my field of research) for a semester. I further my own research by keeping up to date on the latest articles in computability theory, going to conferences, and securing grants for travel to support my research.

When I am not doing math, I like to visit museums, hike through the various parks in Indianapolis, read great novels (like Middlemarch), root for the Pacers and Colts, and volunteer for my church and in the community.