Mort Brown
Mort is a (recently retired) Professor of Mathematics at the University of Michigan and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the College of Literature Science and Arts. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin. His fields of research are topology and dynamical systems. His most recent obsession is developing interesting mathematical games as a means of introducing students to some of the underlying concepts that flow across all more advanced math. His fancy second title (above) is a teaching honor.

Zhan Chen
Zhan is a Dow Corning Assistant Professor in the Department of
Chemistry of the University of Michigan. He received his PhD from the
University of California at Berkeley, and did his postdoctoral research at
the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The research in his group at the University of Michigan is focused on the molecular level characterizations of complicated surfaces and interfaces, such as polymer surfaces, polymer interfaces, and interfacial proteins using advanced analytical techniques. Such research provides in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms of biocompatibility, biofouling, and polymer adhesion. Zhan received his Beckman Young Investigator Award in 2003. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Carolyn Dean
Carolyn is a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. Before moving to Michigan together, Carolyn and her husband juggled her job at the University of Chicago and his job in England as creatively as possible, with Carolyn spending some time in England. Carolyn enjoys hiking, sailing and cooking, and can often be found during lunch playing bridge in the Math Commons Room.

Mel Hochster
Mel Hochster is the Jack E. McLaughlin Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and of the Michigan STRIDE Committee that is dealing with gender equity issues in the sciences. He did his undergraduate work at Harvard and received his Ph.D. from Princeton. His research interests might be described as studying solutions of a large number of equations in a large number of unknowns, including their geometry, by techniques related to number theory. He has five children, including one who is grown and is a mathematician, a fifteen year old, and nine year old triplets. Somehow this does not leave a lot of time for recreation, but his hobbies include bridge and cryptic crossword puzzles

Santhadevi Jeyabalan
Santha is a lecturer in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB). She received her M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1976, in Genetics and Developmental Biology. She also holds a M.S. in Microbiology from Eastern Michigan University and an M.Sc., in Parasitology from Madras University, India. She is devoted to full time teaching, coordinating Genetics Lab, and Developmental Biology Lab for upper level undergraduates and teaching a Genetics course in Spring terms. She is a recipient of LS&A Excellence in Education award in 1992, 94 and 98. Her "cyber fly" project won a Computer World Smithsonian award in 1999. She is also an academic advisor in LS&A Honors and received Ruth M. Sinclair Memorial award for advising in 1997. Santha enjoys teaching, cooking, reading Tamil literature and spending time with her three grown-up daughters.

Patrick Nelson
Patrick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and the Associate Director of the Michigan math and Science Scholars Program. He earned his B.S. from Arizona State University, a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington - all in Applied Mathematics. Patrick's research areas are in non-linear dynamics, mathematical modeling, and mathematical biology including virology and parasitic infections. His hobbies include baseball, tennis, squash, fishing, hiking and climbing.

Mattias Jonsson
 Mattias is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics. A native of Sweden, he received his PhD from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. His research, which spans several areas, includes work in Mathematical Finance: investing and managing financial risk from stocks and options. Mattias enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons (three and zero years old), traveling, juggling and soccer.

David Kausch
David is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is an Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. David spent nine years working as a pension actuary in a benefits consulting firm helping clients manage their pension contributions and expense. His current research interests are in optimal investment strategies for pension plans and other retirement savings vehicles. In his spare time, David enjoys spending time with his family, reading, playing cards and discussing history

Georg Raithel
Georg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics. Georg received his Ph.D. at the University of Munich. In his research, he employs laser-cooled rubidium atoms to study matter waves in optical lattices and in other atom trapping devices, and to investigate collision processes involving cold, very highly excited atoms (Rydberg atoms) and cold plasmas. In his spare time and vacations, Georg enjoy bicycling, skiing, camping and mountain hiking with his family.

Paul Rasmussen
Paul is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and received his PhD from Michigan State University in 1964. He has served two terms as an Associate Dean for Research in the College of Literature Science & Arts, from 1975-82 and from 2001-4. He has published over 100 reviewed papers and patents and has mentored 27 PhD students. His current research deals with the synthesis and characterization of cyanocarbons as electron acceptors and n-carrier materials, polymers containing cyanoimidazoles for fuel cell membrane applications, and polymers functionalized for metal binding.

In recent years he has been especially interested in improving minority student representation in the sciences. He participated in an NSF sponsored program with the Rackham Graduate School to visit and recruit at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He is an avid tennis player and in his words, "used to be good".

Edward Rothman
Ed is a Professor in the Department of Statistics and Director of the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a Ph.D. degree in Statistics from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. Ed is a consultant with researchers throughout the University, a variety of corporations, and students. He assists people with the design of the study, the analysis, and the presentation of the results. He has been honored for his teaching of undergraduates.

Sheila Schueller
Sheila received her B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore College and completed her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. She is now both a Lecturer in Ecology and a Research Associate in the Ecosystem Management Initiative at the School of Natural Resources. She is interested in the complexity of species interactions, especially pollination and seed dispersal, and their applications to invasive species, agriculture, and the management of natural resources and parks. Through her research and mid-career trainings for managers, she has had the opportunity to explore natural areas in the U.S. - Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Maryland, the California Channel Islands - and internationally - British Columbia, Kenya, India, Ecuador, New Zealand, Greece. She loves teaching and is a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award. She has been teaching in the MMSS program since 2002.

Kathryn Tosney
Kathryn is an Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and did postdoctoral research at Yale University. Her research focuses on embryology and development, particularly the development of the nervous system. She is a three-time recipient of the College of LS&A's Excellence in Education award. Kathryn has published a study guide titled aCross Development that uses crossword puzzles to assist in learning biological terminology. Her outside interests include science fiction, handcrafts, gardening and herpetoculture (raising reptiles).

Administration

Dan Burns
Dan is the Director of the Michigan Math and Science Scholars Program and is a Professor in the Mathematics Department. Dan is originally from New York City. His undergraduate degree is from Notre Dame University and his Ph.D. from MIT. He works in complex analysis and geometry, but is pursuing mathematical applications in biology these days. He has taught a program on "Math and DNA" in the past summers. Dan is an amateur singer with Ann Arbor choral groups, and enjoys mushroom hunting and working with the local Habitat for Humanity.

Patrick Nelson
Patrick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and the Associate Director of the Michigan Math and Science Scholars Program. He earned his B.S. from Arizona State University, a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington - all in Applied Mathematics. Patrick's research areas are in non-linear dynamics, mathematical modeling, and mathematical biology including virology and parasitic infections. His hobbies include baseball, tennis, squash, fishing, hiking and climbing.