Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

My primary research interests are in algebraic number theory, specifically Iwasawa theory, modular forms, and L-functions. I also have a strong interest in mathematics education, in particular, education policy and curriculum development.

Education

2008 - present



2006 - 2008



1999-2003

University of Arizona
PhD in Mathematics
Advisor: Romyar Sharifi

Clemson University
MS in Mathematics
Advisor: Kevin James

St. Olaf College
BA in Mathematics

Employment

2011 - 2012


2010 - 2011


2008 - 2010


2007 - 2008


2006 - 2007


2004 - 2006

NSF GK-12 Fellow
Mountain View High School

NSF GK-12 Fellow
St. Michael's Parish Day School

Teaching Assistant
University of Arizona | Department of Mathematics

Research Assistant
Clemson University | Academic Success Center

Teaching Assistant
Clemson University | Department of Mathematical Sciences

Trading Analyst
GMAC-RFC Principal Investment Activities


Awards

2011


2010


2009


2008


2008

NSF GK-12 Fellowship
University of Arizona | Department of Mathematics

NSF GK-12 Fellowship
University of Arizona | Department of Mathematics

High Pass - Qualifying Exam (First Attempt)
University of Arizona | Department of Mathematics

Outstanding Mathematics Graduate Student
Clemson University | Department of Mathematical Sciences

Graduate Assistant of the Year
Clemson University | Academic Success Center


Papers

The Square Threshold Problem in Number Fields (PDF)
Master's Thesis | Clemson University
Given an arbitrary number field and the corresponding ring of integers, we determine a probabilistic bound on the number of ideals of a specified norm that would need to be randomly selected with uniform probability before the product of some subset of these ideals is a square.

Talks

February 2011


November 2010


December 2009


September 2008

"Monday Math Mania - A Middle School Math Circle"
MEAD Conference | Tucson High School

"Math is Everywhere"
Family Math Night | St. Michael's Parish Day School

"Galois Groups of p-polynomials"
RTG Mini Conference | University of Arizona

"Primes in Arithmetic Progression"
Graduate Student Colloquium | University of Arizona

Conferences Attended

October 2011


June 2011


April 2011


February 2011


January 2011


June 2010


April 2010


December 2009


March 2009

Workshop on Iwasawa Theory
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

G-TEAMS Summer Institute
Institute for Mathematics and Education | Tucson, AZ

Mathematicians in Mathematics Education
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

GK-12 Showcase | G-TEAMS, HEATWAVES & BioME
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

MEAD (Mathematical Educator Appreciation Day)
Tucson High School | Tucson, AZ

G-TEAMS Summer Institute
Institute for Mathematics and Education | Tucson, AZ

Mathematicians in Mathematics Education
Tucson High School | Tucson, AZ

Research Tutorial Group Mini-Conference
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Arizona Winter School - Quadratic Forms
University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ

Computer Skills

  • Programming:  C, C++
  • Mathematical Software:  Maple, Mathematica, MATLAB
  • Miscellaneous:  LaTeX, Excel, PowerPoint & Keynote

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
The University of Arizona
Department of Mathematics
617 N. Santa Rita Ave.
P.O. Box 210089
Tucson, AZ 85712

Email: mlafferty@math.fillintherest
Phone: (520) 626-0410
Citizenship: USA