Erica Flapan facts for kids
Erica Flapan (born August 14, 1956) is an American mathematician. She is a professor of mathematics at Pomona College.
Early Life and Education
Erica Flapan studied at Hamilton College (New York). She graduated in 1977. Then, she went on to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She earned her Ph.D. in 1983. Her advisor was Daniel McMillan.
After finishing her studies, she did more research at Rice University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1986, she joined the faculty at Pomona College.
Research and Work
Professor Flapan's research focuses on interesting areas of mathematics. These include low-dimensional topology and knot theory.
- Low-dimensional topology is about studying shapes and spaces that are like lines, surfaces, or 3D objects. It looks at how these shapes can be stretched or bent without tearing them.
- Knot theory is a special part of topology. It studies mathematical "knots." Imagine a piece of string tied in a knot. Knot theory looks at how knots can be formed and how they are different from each other. This field can even help us understand how DNA is tangled!
Books and Publications
Erica Flapan has written or helped write several books. These books help explain complex math ideas:
- When Topology Meets Chemistry: A Topological Look at Molecular Chirality (2000)
- Number Theory: A Lively Introduction with Proofs, Applications, and Stories (with James Pommersheim and Tim Marks, 2010)
- Knots, Molecules, and the Universe: An Introduction to Topology (2015)
She has also helped edit other books. These are called edited volumes. They bring together different articles on a topic. Some of these include:
- Applications of Knot Theory (with Dorothy Buck, 2009)
- Knots, Links, Spatial Graphs, and Algebraic Invariants (with Allison Henrich, Aaron Kaestner, and Sam Nelson, 2017)
- Topology and Geometry of Biopolymers (with Helen Wong, 2018)
Awards and Recognition
Erica Flapan has received many awards for her excellent work and teaching:
- In 2011, she won the Deborah and Franklin Haimo Awards for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics. This award is for outstanding math teachers at colleges and universities.
- In 2012, she became a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. Being a fellow means you are recognized as a top mathematician.
- Also in 2012, she received a Hamilton Alumni Achievement Medal from Hamilton College. This honored her achievements since graduating.
- In 2018, she won the M. Gweneth Humphreys Award from the Association for Women in Mathematics. This award recognized her dedication to mentoring students.
- She was also chosen to give the Chan Stanek Lecture for Students at MathFest in 2021.
