Math Major Newsletters

Austin, Z. H. and Austin, J. K. "Math Girl Solves the Pattern," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 11 Issue 2 (July 2021), pages 298-300.

“Requesting Letters of Recommendation.” e-Mentoring Network in the Mathematical Sciences, American Mathematical Society, 27 Sept. 2018, Jennifer Austin, https://blogs.ams.org/mathmentoringnetwork/2018/09/27/requesting-letters-of-recommendation/.

Topological Information Embodied in Local Juxtaposition Geometry Provides a Statistical Mechanical Basis for Unknotting by Type-2 DNA Topoisomerases, Zhirong Liu, Jennifer K. Mann, E. Lynn Zechiedrich and Hue Sun Chan, (2006) J Mol Biol 361, 268-285.

Hin-Mediated DNA Knotting and Recombination Promote Replicon Dysfunction and Mutation, Richard W. Deibler^*, Jennifer K. Mann^*, De Witt L. Sumners and E. Lynn Zechiedrich. (2007) BMC Mol Biol 8:44 (25 May 2007). (^*The first two authors contributed equally to this work.)

President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2024

Dean’s Teaching Fellow, Office of STEM Education Excellence (STEMx), The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2023-2025

Center for Teaching & Learning, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2022-2023 Colleague Connections

CNS' Visualizing Science 2022: Illuminating the Intrinsic Beauty in Academic Research, Facebook Favorite, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2022

Transformational Online Instruction Contributions (TONIC) Award, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2021

John R. Durbin Teaching Excellence Award, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2020

College of Natural Sciences Faculty Advisor Award, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2016

Great Ideas in Mathematics Course Development Grant, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2015

College of Natural Sciences Teaching Excellence Award, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2013

Research Training Grant Postdoctoral Fellowship in Topology, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, 2007-2010

Program in Mathematics and Molecular Biology Predoctoral Fellowship, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Interfaces Program, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1999-2007

Invited Lectures

• Math Colloquium, February 6, 2023, Ithaca College, "A Tutorial on the Topology of DNA"
• Girl Scouts of Central Texas, March 25, 2022, "Numbers in Nature"
• Girl Scouts of Central Texas, December 3, 2021, "Math in Nature"
• Mathematical Association of America MathFest, August 6, 2021, Math Department Virtual Showcase
• Mathematics Initiative Nepal, Sonia Kovalevsky Maths Day, April 24, 2021, “Mathematics as a Career”
• Buda Public Library, March 13, 2021, “Full STEAM Ahead: Math All Around Us,” March 30, 2021, “What Mathematicians Wish We Knew,” and June 12, 2021, “Fun with Math”
• SIAM Texas-Louisiana Section Virtual Meeting, October 18, 2020, A Tutorial on the Topology of DNA
• Long-view Micro School, Austin, TX, April 9, 2019, "To Be or Knot to Be"
• Women Breaking through Conference, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, TX, October 14, 2017, “Not Just a Knot”
• Bi-weekly Seminar, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, March 13, 2017, “A Tutorial on the Topology of DNA”
• DNA Topology Course, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan, November 2-6, 2009, “Mathematical Models for Topoisomerase and their Motivation”
• DNA Topology Course, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan, November 2-6, 2009, “Knot Theory Software”
• AMS Fall Southeastern Section Meeting, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, November 3-4, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Occurrences, Consequences, & Resolution”
• Homecoming Lecture, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, November 2, 2007
• The Mathematics of Knotting and Linking in Polymer Physics and Molecular Biology, Banff International Research Station, Alberta, Canada, May 20-25, 2007
• Sumnersfest: Conference on Low-Dimensional Topology and Applications to Molecular Biology and Biomedical Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, May 4-5, 2007
• Molecular Virology & Microbiology Departmental Seminar, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, March 15, 2007
• Biological Sciences Learning Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, February 12, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Biological Consequences & Resolution”
• Laboratory of N. Patrick Higgins, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, February 7, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Biological Consequences & Resolution”
• Center for BioDynamics, Boston University, Boston, MA, February 5, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Biological Consequences & Resolution”
• Mathematics and Computation Seminar, Department of Mathematics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, February 1, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Biological Consequences & Resolution”
• Mathematical Biology and Dynamical Systems, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, October 7-9, 2005, “DNA Unknotting by Human Topoisomerase IIα”
• 10th Annual Structural Biology Symposium, Sealy Center for Structural Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, May 20-21, 2005, Poster Presenter, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• AMS Spring Southeastern Section Meeting, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, March 18-19, 2005, “DNA Knotting & Unknotting”
• 2004 Lost Pines Molecular Biology Conference, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, TX, October 22-24, 2004, “DNA Unknotting by Human Topoisomerase IIα”
• International Summer School on “DNA and Chromosomes: Physical and Biological Approaches,” Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques de Cargese, Corsica, France, August 2-14, 2004, Poster Presenter, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• VI International Joint Meeting AMS and the Sociedad Matemática Mexicana (SMM), Hyatt Regency Houston, Houston, Texas, May 13-15, 2004, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• AMS Spring Southeastern Section Meeting, Tallahassee, Florida, March 12-13, 2004, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• Baylor College of Medicine Molecular Virology & Microbiology Research Retreat 2003, Warwick Hotel, Houston, Texas, November 21, 2003, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• W. M. Keck Center for Computational and Structural Biology & Houston Area Molecular Biophysics Program, 2003 Annual Research Conference, Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake, Texas, October 3, 2003, Third Place Poster Winner, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• Statistical Mechanics of Polymer Models, Banff International Research Station, Alberta, Canada, May 10–15, 2003, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• Department of Mathematics Colloquium, Rice University, Houston, TX, April 10, 2003, “Unknotting by Type II Topoisomerases”
• Celebration of the Career of Clay C. Ross, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, April 5, 2003,“Topology, Enzymes & DNA”
• Math Career Lecture Series, Rice University, February 25, 2003 “Mathematics in Molecular Biology”
• SIAM 2002 Annual Meeting & AWM Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, July 8–12, 2002, Poster Presenter & Student Day Speaker, “Topology of Type II Topoisomerases”
• “Mathematics and Molecular Biology VII: Modeling Across the Scales- Atoms to Organisms,” Santa Fe, NM, January 5-10, 2002, Poster Presenter, “Topology of Type II Topoisomerases”

Local Seminars

Incoming Math Major Meetings, The University of Texas at Austin, All summer orientations throughout June, July, & August 2014-Present, "Being a Math Major at UT"

Statistics & Data Science Department Faculty Meeting, The University of Texas at Austin, April 1, 2022, Co-Presented Mental Health Resources

Chemistry Department Faculty Meeting, The University of Texas at Austin, March 9, 2022, Co-Presented Mental Health Resources

Biology Department Faculty Meeting, The University of Texas at Austin, March 21, 2022, Co-Presented Mental Health Resources

Texas Ballroom Student Organization, The University of Texas at Austin, February 27, 2022, Mental Health Presentation: "I'm not ok and that's ok"

STEM Girl Day at UT, The University of Texas at Austin, February 19, 2022, Coordinate & Lead Online Math Outreach

CNS Academic Advisors Meeting, The University of Texas at Austin, November 21, 2020, "Mathematics Major & Courses Overview”

Mathematics Freshmen Interest Group, The University of Texas at Austin
     November 3, 2020, "Being a Math Major at UT"
     September 29, 2021, "UT Math Major Information"

CNS Admissions Open House, The University of Texas at Austin, October 14, 2020, "UT Math Major Options & Advice"

Gone to Mathematics, The University of Texas at Austin, August 27, 2020

Department of Mathematics Faculty Workshop, The University of Texas at Austin
     August 12 & 19, 2022, Co-Presented “Make Calculus Fun & Your Semester Less Work”
     August 24, 2021, “Active Learning in Mathematics Courses”
     August 19, 2021, “Common Goals for Introduction to Proof Classes”
     July 27, 2020, "Proctorio: One Tool for Remote Assessment"

Texas Chautauqua XI: Beauty in Science, The University of Texas at Austin, April 5, 2018, “To Be or Not to Be”

Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin, The University of Texas at Austin
     December 1, 2022, "Snowflakes, Stars, & Holiday Trees"
     February 25, 2021, "Online Tools for Increasing Student Engagement & Understanding in Mathematics"
     January 31, 2019, “Strawberries, Bands, & Knots”
     September 26, 2018, “Mathematical Puzzles & Strategies”
     February 23, 2017, “To Infinity and Beyond!”
     February 26, 2015, “Puzzles, Bands, and Knots”

Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin Summer Workshops, The University of Texas at Austin
     June 1, 2022, “3 Spatial Games from Math Games with Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin,” “Proofs Without Words by          Roger B. Nelsen,” and “Math Art from Math Art + Drawing Games for Kids”
     June 24, 2021, “SET & EvenQuads”     
     June 20, 2019, “Mathematical Story Telling” and “I am a Mathematician because…”
     January 31, 2019, “Strawberries, Bands, & Knots”
     June 27, 2018, “Exploring the Platonic Solids”
     June 23, 2016, “Games!”

Saturday Morning Math Group, The University of Texas at Austin
     September 26, 2021, "SET & EvenQuads"
     September 19, 2020, “Strawberries, Bands, & Knots”
     September 15, 2019, “Strawberries, Bands, & Knots”
     February 17, 2018, “Not Just a Knot”     
     November 15, 2014, “DNA Knotting”
     April 4, 2009, “Not Just a Knot”

Association for Women in Mathematics UT Student Chapter, The University of Texas at Austin           
     September 21, 2020, September 22, 2021, November 9, 2022 "AWM History"
     October 8, 2012, “To Be or Knot to be a Mathematician”

UT Math Club, The University of Texas at Austin
     September 13, 2022, “A Tutorial on the Topology of DNA”
     February 23, 2021, “I am a mathematician because…”
     February 25, 2020, “A Tutorial on the Topology of DNA”
     February 14, 2017, “Mathematics, Mentoring, and Motherhood”
     February 1, 2012, “Topoisomerase: Knotenlöserin”
     April 14, 2010, “Knotty Biology”
     January 23, 2008, “DNA & Knot Theory”

Topological and Cellular Biology Group, The University of Texas at Austin
     May 11, 2010, Topology of Mitotic Chromatin
     March 2, 2010, Discussion of “DNA supercoiling inhibits DNA knotting”
     April 15, 2008, “Type II Topoisomerase Models”
     October 23, 2007, “Resolution of DNA Knotting”
     October 2, 2007, “Biological Consequences of DNA Knotting”

Explore UT Public Lecture, The University of Texas at Austin, March 1, 2008, “DNA Knotting: Consequences and Resolution”

Graduate Seminar Introduction to Research, The University of Texas at Austin, January 22, 2008, “DNA Knotting: Consequences & Resolution”

Women in Mathematics Panel Discussion, The University of Texas at Austin, October 17, 2007

Topology Seminar, The University of Texas at Austin, October 1, 2007, “DNA Topology”

Being You in Mathematics, M 175T, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2022

Introduction to Financial Mathematics for Actuaries, M 339D, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2020, F 2020, F 2021

Introduction to Financial Mathematics for Actuaries, M 389D, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2020, F 2020, F 2021

Introduction to Mathematics, M 302, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2011, Sp 2012, Su 2012, F 2012, Sp 2014, Su 2014, F 2014, F 2015, F 2016, F 2017, F 2018, Su 2019, F 2019, Su 2020, F 2020, Su 2021, F 2021, Su 2022, F 2022

Theory of Interest, M 329F, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2012, F 2012, Sp 2013, Su 2013, Sp 2014, Sp 2015, F 2015, Sp 2016, F 2016, Sp 2017, F 2017, Sp 2018, F 2018, Sp 2019, F 2019, Sp 2021, Sp 2022, F 2022, Sp 2023

Introduction to Number Theory, M 328K, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2008, F 2014

Discrete Mathematics, M 325K, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2008, F 2010, Sp 2011, Su 2011, F 2011, Sp 2013, Su 2013, Su 2015, Sp 2017, Sp 2018, Sp 2019, Sp 2020, Sp 2021, Sp 2022, Sp 2023

Topology I, M 367K, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2009, Sp 2015, Sp 2016

Theory of Interest, M 389F, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2013, F 2018

Multivariable Calculus, M 408M, The University of Texas at Austin, Su 2011

Matrices and Matrix Calculations, M 340L, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2011

Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus, M 408D, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2007, Su 2010, F 2010

Integral Calculus, M 408L, The University of Texas at Austin, Su 2010

Applied Topology, M 367L, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2010

Matrices and Matrix Calculations Substitute Lecturer, M 340L, The University of Texas at Austin, February 15, 17, 19 and April 19, Sp 2010

Differential & Integral Calculus, M 408C, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2009, Su 2012

Conference Course in Mathematical Models of Topoisomerase, The University of Texas at Austin, F 2009

Conference Course in Topology & Graph Theory, The University of Texas at Austin, Sp 2009

Algebraic Structures I Substitute Lecturer, M 373K, The University of Texas at Austin, April 14 & February 18, 2008

Nucleic Acid Structure and Function Class Guest Lecturer, Florida State University, March 13, 2007, “DNA Knotting: Biological Consequences & Resolution”

Mathematical Biophysics Class Guest Lecturer, Florida State University, October 14, 2004, “Going Behind & Beyond the Experiments”

Math Major Newsletters

Being a Math Major at UT Austin
UT Mathematics Undergraduate Program
BS Mathematics Advising Pathways
Math, Physics, & Astronomy Advising Center
Department of Mathematics Undergraduate Programs
Catalogs > Undergraduate > College of Natural Sciences > Courses > Department of Mathematics
UT Mathematics Facebook Group
UT Math Club Facebook Group
UT Association for Women in Mathematics
UT Actuarial Science Club Facebook Group
Gamma Iota Sigma
UT Mathematics and Science Teachers of Tomorrow (MASTT)
Mathematicians of Color Alliance of Texas (MoCAT)
UT Chapter of SIAM
TIDES Engages
Computing in the Mathematics Department
Software Tutorials

Mentorships
SIAM Applied Mathematics Mentorship
Directed Reading Program

Scholarships
UT CNS Scholarships
Scholarships - Texas One Stop
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
Hispanic Scholarship Foundation
Texas Exes Scholarships
Scholarships for Women
College Grants for Students Studying Mathematics
Women in STEM Scholarships
 
Professional Societies & Institutes
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
American Mathematical Society (AMS)
Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB)
Society of Actuaries (SOA)
Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)
Informs
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Mathematical Sciences Institutes funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBios)
Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS)
Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI)
Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS)

Being a Mathematician
MAA Online Career Profile
AMS Career Information
SIAM: Thinking of a Career in the Mathematical Sciences?
AWM Careers
MacTutor
Lathisms (Latinx and Hispanics in the Mathematical Sciences)
Mathematically Gifted & Black
Mathematicians of the African Diaspora
Biographies of Women Mathematicians
WeUseMath.org
MAA Online Career Profiles
Mathematical Habits of Mind
The nuts and bolts of writing mathematics
Career Cornerstone Center

Job Search & Preparation
CNS Career Services Jobs, Internships & Research Opportunities
Handshake is where it all begins for CNS students searching for jobs, internships, mentors, and career-related events. It is our online job database where employers post job or internship positions and students can search for on-campus information sessions.
UT Mathematics Undergraduate Grading Jobs
UT Mathematics Learning Assistants
BIG Math Network Resources for Students
Job & Career Prospects in the Probability/Statistics Area
Exploring a Career with Numbers
Finding a Career in Numbers
DataSciencePrograms.org
Cyber Security Degrees
Wondering About Your Job Application? The Best Way To Follow Up On Your Resume
These Are the Biggest Skills That New Graduates Lack
5 Tips to Get the Teaching Job you Want
8 Things Successful People Do To Look Confident (Even When They Aren't)

Internship Resources
Internships in Mathematics
Internships in Industrial & Applied Mathematics
NSA Internships
CSA Internships
NASA Internships

Summer Opportunities in Mathematics
-Research Experience for Undergraduates - REU Programs are summer programs sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). REUs usually consist of two parts: intensive study of topics through lecture and interaction, and student research on a question/questions. Travel costs are paid for as well as room and board. A stipend is given to participants. These are all available on a competitive basis.
-Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute This intensive eight-week summer research experience for undergraduates in Tempe, Arizona prepares promising young scientists interested in working at the interface of mathematics, statistics, and the natural and social sciences for the rigors of graduate studies. MTBI is a research experience for undergraduates (REU); it is not an internship, nor will students earn college credit for participation.
-International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports the development of globally-engaged U.S. science and engineering students capable of performing in an international research environment at the forefront of science and engineering. The IRES program supports active research participation by students enrolled as undergraduates or graduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. IRES projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the IRES program.
-Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute - Held at the Center for Nonlinear Analysis at Carnegie Mellon University, in addition to a stipend participants receive credit from Carnegie Mellon for this 7-week learning and research experience.
-Park City Math Institute Summer Program for Undergraduates - A 3-week summer program where students learn about an advanced topic and work on an individual project.
-Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) Summer Program - This program involves applied mathematics problems from industry.
-University of Nebraska Summer IMMERSE Program - A six-week summer program to help prepare students who are about to enter graduate school in mathematics.
-EDGE Summer Program for Women - For women who are entering graduate school or who have completed one year of graduate studies.
-Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program The Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) welcomes carefully selected undergraduate students from around the world for a rich mathematical research experience in July and August.
-The SMALL Undergraduate Research Project is a nine-week residential summer program in which undergraduates investigate open research problems in mathematics. One of the largest programs of its kind in the country, SMALL is supported in part by a National Science Foundation grant for Research Experiences for Undergraduates and by the Science Center of Williams College. Around 500 students have participated in the project since its inception in 1988.
-Summer@ICERM program at Brown University is an eight-week residential program designed for a select group of 18-22 undergraduate scholars.
-The MSRI Undergraduate Program (MSRI-UP) is a comprehensive summer program designed for undergraduate students who have completed two years of university-level mathematics courses and would like to conduct research in the mathematical sciences
-ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 
-Moncrief Undergraduate Summer Internship The Moncrief Undergraduate Summer Internship Program is organized to provide summer support for qualified undergraduate students of mathematics, science, and engineering to work within the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences during the summer months. Interns work with faculty and research staff from one of the Oden Institute's 21 research centers and groups on one of a wide range of research topics. Research activities generally focus on developing modeling and simulation methods to study problems in areas such as energy, advanced materials, biomedical research, nanomanufacturing, and related areas that draw on applied and computational mathematics, computing, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, mathematical physics, and biology.

Preparing for Graduate School
IE Pre-graduate School Internship
Should you go to grad school?
Applying to grad school? Here's what you need to know: Part I
AMS' Applying to Graduate School
Comprehensive List of Mathematics Departments from The Math Archives
GRE Mathematics Subject Test
GRE Mathematics Subject Test Preparation from University of Chicago

Undergraduate Conference Participation Funds
FRI and Inventors Program Student Travel/Conference
Office of Undergraduate Research Travel Awards

Postbaccalaureate Certificate Programs
Math Alliance Compiled List
Tufts University
Iowa State University
Brandeis University
Indiana University

Sustainability
Thrive at UT
Sanger Learning Center Study Strategies
7 Powerful Ways To Beat Burnout
Why Constant Learners All Embrace the 5-Hour Rule
Albert Einstein on the Secret to Learning
Life & Work at UT Austin: http://provost.utexas.edu/faculty-affairs/life-and-work and http://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/wl_services.html

Math & Games
Math Games with Bad Drawings
Simple Set Game Proof Stuns Mathematicians
The mathematically proven winning strategy for 14 of the most popular games
The Mathematics Behind Tic-Tac-Toe