Faculty of Harvey Mudd College

Harvey Mudd College faculty have a wide range of research interests.

Department of Biology

Steve C. Adolph

Steve C. Adolph

Stuart Mudd Professor of BiologyChair of the Department of BiologyPhD, University of Washington

Physiological, evolutionary and behavioral ecology of lizards; mathematical models in ecology and evolution; statistical estimation of physiological performance.

Anna Ahn

Anna Ahn

Professor of BiologyPhD, University of California, Berkeley

Neural control and mechanics of locomotion.

Eliot Bush

Eliot Bush

Professor of BiologyPhD, California Institute of Technology

Molecular evolution of noncoding DNA.

Matina Donaldson-Matasci

Matina Donaldson-Matasci

Associate Professor of BiologyPhD, University of Washington

How social insects, such as bees and ants, coordinate group behaviors.

Karl Haushalter

Karl Haushalter

Professor of Chemistry and BiologyPhD, Harvard University

The biochemistry of protein:nucleic acid interactions in the context of DNA repair and the innate immune response to HIV infection.

Jae Hur

Jae Hur

Associate Professor of BiologyPhD, Harvard University

Molecular and cellular biology with an emphasis on aging and longevity determination.

Catherine S. McFadden

Catherine S. McFadden

Vivian and D. Kenneth Baker Professor in the Life SciencesPhD, University of Washington

Molecular systematics of Octocorallia; life history evolution in colonial marine invertebrates.

Danae Schulz

Danae Schulz

Associate Professor of BiologyPhD, University of California, Berkeley

African trypanosomes, the parasites transmitted through tsetse flies that cause sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis).

Daniel M. Stoebel

Daniel M. Stoebel

Professor of BiologyPhD, The State University of New York, Stony Brook

Function and evolution of bacterial regulatory networks.

Department of Chemistry

Spencer D. Brucks

Spencer D. Brucks

Assistant Professor of ChemistryPhD, Columbia University

Organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and chemical biology.

Karl Haushalter

Karl Haushalter

Seeley Wintersmith Mudd Professor of Chemistry and BiologyChair, Department of ChemistryPhD, Harvard University

The biochemistry of protein:nucleic acid interactions in the context of DNA repair and the innate immune response to HIV infection.

Lelia Hawkins

Lelia Hawkins

Professor of ChemistryHixon Professor of Climate StudiesPhD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Characterization of light-absorbing compounds in atmospheric aerosol.

Alicia O. Hernandez-Castillo

Alicia O. Hernandez-Castillo

Assistant Professor of ChemistryPhD, Purdue University

Broadband microwave spectroscopy to study molecular interactions.

Adam R. Johnson

Adam R. Johnson

Professor of ChemistryPhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Design of ligands for the synthesis of chiral transition metal complexes; enantioselective catalysis.

Sarah Kavassalis

Sarah Kavassalis

Assistant Professor of Climate and ChemistryPhD, University of Toronto

Atmospheric chemistry.

Katherine M. Van Heuvelen

Katherine M. Van Heuvelen

R. Michael Shanahan Professor of ChemistryAssociate Dean of the FacultyPhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of bio-inspired transition metal complexes.

Hal Van Ryswyk

Hal Van Ryswyk

John Stauffer Professor of ChemistryPhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Solar energy conversion, study of energy and electron transfer in self-assembled systems; electronic materials; monolayer chemistry at surfaces; analytical chemistry.

David A. Vosburg

David A. Vosburg

Professor of ChemistryPhD, The Scripps Research Institute

Biomimetic cyclizations, natural product synthesis, green chemistry.

Bilin Zhuang

Bilin Zhuang

Assistant Professor of ChemistryPhD, California Institute of Technology

Theoretical and computational chemistry for liquids, solutions, and soft-matter systems

Department of Computer Science

Lucas Bang

Lucas Bang

Associate Professor of Computer SciencePhD, University of California, Santa Barbara

Software verification and formal methods for security.

James C. Boerkoel Jr.

James C. Boerkoel Jr.

Csilla and Walt Foley Endowed Professor in Computer ScienceAssociate Professor of Computer Science Chair, Department of Computer SciencePhD, University of Michigan

Artificial intelligence, automated planning and scheduling, human-robot teamwork and user experience design.

Katherine Breeden

Katherine Breeden

Associate Professor of Computer ScienceClinic Curricular DirectorPhD, Stanford University

Computer graphics, human gaze response.

Zachary Dodds

Zachary Dodds

Leonhard-Johnson-Rae Professor of Computer ScienceClinic Recruiting DirectorPhD, Yale University

Real-time computer vision, vision-based autonomous robotics and mapping; and the development of low-cost robots for research and education.

Lynn Kirabo

Lynn Kirabo

Maria M. Klawe Professor of Climate and Computer SciencePhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Human-Computer Interaction and Accessibility

Julie Medero

Julie Medero

Associate Professor of Computer ScienceAssociate Chair, Department of Computer SciencePhD, University of Washington

Natural language processing.

George Montañez

George Montañez

Associate Professor of Computer SciencePhD, Carnegie Mellon University

The intersection of computer science, algorithmic search and mathematics.

Melissa O'Neill

Melissa O’Neill

Professor of Computer SciencePhD, Simon Fraser University

Functional programming languages and parallelism.

Arthi Padmanabhan

Arthi Padmanabhan

Assistant Professor of Computer SciencePhD, UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science

Machine learning.

Xanda Schofield '13

Xanda Schofield ’13

Assistant Professor of Computer SciencePhD, Cornell University

Designing easy-to-use tools for large-scale corpus text mining, with a focus on distributional semantic models.

Christopher A. Stone

Christopher A. Stone

Professor of Computer SciencePhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Type theory, programming language semantics, object calculi and compilers, concurrency.

Erin Talvitie

Erin Talvitie

Associate Professor of Computer SciencePhD, University of Michigan

Applications of machine learning to artificial intelligence, creation of artificial autonomous agents that can act flexibly and competently in unknown environments.

Katherine Elizabeth Trushkowsky

Katherine Elizabeth Trushkowsky

Associate Professor of Computer ScienceUniversity of California, Berkeley

Database systems, human computation.

Benjamin Wiedermann

Benjamin Wiedermann

Professor of Computer ScienceCore Curriculum DirectorPhD, University of Texas at Austin

Programming languages.

Calden Wloka

Calden Wloka

Assistant Professor of Computer SciencePhD, York University

Computer vision.

Yi-Chieh (Jessica) Wu

Yi-Chieh (Jessica) Wu

Associate Professor of Computer SciencePhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Computational biology.

Department of Engineering

Sophia Bahena

Sophia Bahena

Assistant Professor of EngineeringPhD from the University of Southern California

Lori C. Bassman

Lori C. Bassman

Professor of EngineeringPhD, Stanford University

Deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline metals, computational mechanics and plant biomechanics.

Joshua Brake

Joshua Brake

Assistant Professor of EngineeringPhD, Stanford University

Optical technologies to probe and measure brain activity, mind/body/machine interfaces (MBMI) to improve and expand human cognition.

Philip D. Cha

Philip D. Cha

Professor of Engineering and C.F. Braun & Company FellowPhD, University of Michigan

Effects of parameter uncertainties on the dynamics of structures; model updating; imposing nodes for arbitrarily supported elastic structures during harmonic excitations; frequency analysis of combined dynamical systems; vibration of beams carrying spring-mass-damper systems; vibration suppression using oscillators.

Albert Dato

Albert Dato

Associate Professor of Engineering Associate Department ChairPhD, University of California, Berkeley

Synthesis and applications of nanomaterials.

Whitney Fowler

Whitney Fowler

Assistant Professor of EngineeringPhD, University of Chicago

Designing bio-inspired sensing materials to detect emerging contaminants in water

Okitsugu Furuya

Okitsugu Furuya

Clinical Professor of EngineeringPhD, California Institute of Technology

David Harris

David Harris

Harvey S. Mudd Professor of Engineering DesignPhD, Stanford University

Digital systems, integrated circuit design and microprocessors.

Dre Helmns

Dre Helmns

Assistant Professor of EngineeringPhD, University of California, Berkeley

Integrated energy storage and conversion systems, grid electrification, building decarbonization.

Gordon C. Krauss

Gordon C. Krauss

Fletcher Jones Professor of Engineering DesignPhD, Boston University

Friction, wear and lubrication in mechanical and biological systems, design education.

Nancy K. Lape

Nancy K. Lape

James Howard Kindelberger Professor in EngineeringChair, Department of EngineeringPhD, University of Minnesota

The effects of hydration and mechanical stretching on transport of drugs and toxins across human skin; Design and modeling of nanocomposite gas separation membranes; Engineering education.

Fred Leichter

Fred Leichter

Clinical Professor of EngineeringDirector, Rick and Susan Sontag Center for Collaborative Creativity (The Hive)B.S., Mathematics, Swarthmore College

Design thinking, human centered design, creativity, innovation.

Leah Mendelson

Leah Mendelson

Associate Professor of EngineeringPhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Biological and bio-inspired fluid dynamics and imaging techniques for fluid flow measurement.

David Nembhard

David Nembhard

Professor of EngineeringPhD, University of Michigan

Intersection of human factors, operations management and production. Improving learning systems that account for individual differences in skill levels, learning, forgetting, temporal motivation, cognition, personality and modes of communication.

Ethan Ritz '12

Ethan Ritz ’12

Assistant Professor of EngineeringB.S., Harvey Mudd College; PhD, Cornell University

Materials engineering, vibrations, dynamics, crystal and electronic structure; combining group theory with atomistic simulations (such as density functional theory) to understand and enhance useful materials properties.

Steven Santana ’06

Steven Santana ’06

Iris & Howard Critchell Assistant Professor of EngineeringDirector, Engineering ClinicB.S., Harvey Mudd College; PhD, Cornell University

Microfluidics and nanofluidics.

Matthew Spencer

Matthew Spencer

Associate Professor of EngineeringPhD, University of California, Berkeley

Circuit design, MEMS.

R. Erik Spjut

R. Erik Spjut

Professor of EngineeringUnion Oil Company Engineering Design FellowPhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Materials processing (especially containerless), process control, optical diagnostics and heat transfer (especially radiant).

Ashwini (Asha) Srikantiah

Ashwini (Asha) Srikantiah

Clinical Professor of EngineeringAssociate Director, Rick and Susan Sontag Center for Creative Collaboration (The Hive)

TJ Tsai

TJ Tsai

Associate Professor of EngineeringPhD, University of California, Berkeley

The intersection of signal processing, machine learning and music.

Qimin Yang

Qimin Yang

Professor of EngineeringPhD, Princeton University

Optical communications, optical packet switching networks, QoS in optical networks.

Werner Zorman

Werner Zorman

Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair in LeadershipVienna University of Technology

Leadership, communication skills, emotional intelligence, team building.

Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts

William Alves

William Alves

Louisa and Robert Miller Professor in the HumanitiesProfessor of MusicDMA, University of Southern California

Music composition, computer music, tuning systems, abstract animation, gamelan and other world music.

Isabel Balseiro

Isabel Balseiro

Alexander and Adelaide Hixon Professor of HumanitiesProfessor of Comparative LiteraturePhD, New York University

Contemporary writers and filmmakers from Africa and Latin America. Teaches on cultural and race studies, cinema and postcolonial literatures.

David Cubek

David Cubek

Associate Professor of MusicDirector of the Claremont Concert Orchestra, Scripps College (Joint Music Program)DMA, Northwestern University

Conducting symphonic and operatic repertoire; research on alternative modes of orchestral training and music as an interdisciplinary art form.

Ambereen Dadabhoy

Ambereen Dadabhoy

Associate Professor of Literature and Avery FellowPhD, Claremont Graduate University

Early modern English literature; Shakespeare; postcolonial theory; East-West encounter.

Marianne de Laet

Marianne de Laet

Professor of Anthropology and Science, Technology, and SocietyAssociate Dean for Academic AffairsPhD, University of Utrecht, Netherlands

Social studies of science; cultural anthropology; technology
and culture; video game culture; practices of knowledge-making; collaboration and management in big science.

Erika W. Dyson

Erika W. Dyson

Willard W. Keith Jr. Fellow in the HumanitiesAssociate Professor of Religious StudiesPhD, Columbia University

Religion and science; intersections between social-change activism and religion; American religious history; and church and state.

Ken Fandell

Ken Fandell

Professor of ArtMichael G. and C. Jane Wilson Chair in Arts and HumanitiesMFA, University of Illinois at Chicago

Interdisciplinary arts.

Alfred Flores

Alfred Flores

Assistant Professor of Asian American StudiesPhD, University of California, Los Angeles

Pacific Islander history, Asian American history, labor, militarization, race, settler colonialism.

Anup Gampa

Anup Gampa

Assistant Professor of PsychologyPhD, University of Virginia

Social psychology of social movements, racism, capitalism and wealth inequality.

Jeffrey D. Groves

Jeffrey D. Groves

Professor of LiteraturePhD, Claremont Graduate School

Nineteenth-century American literature; history of the book; Shakespeare.

Vivien Hamilton

Vivien Hamilton

Associate Professor of the History of SciencePhD, University of Toronto

History of physics; history of medicine; gender and science; disciplinary cultures in science.

Charles W. Kamm

Charles W. Kamm

Associate Professor of MusicDirector of Choirs, Scripps College (Joint Music Program)DMA, Yale University

Conductor of the Claremont Concert Choir and the Claremont Chamber Choir; professional vocal soloist and conductor; research on performance practices of renaissance and early Baroque music, 19th century nationalism in music and contemporary Scandinavian choral repertoire.

Dede Long

Dede Long

Assistant Professor of EconomicsPhD, Oregon State University

Environmental economics; microeconomic theory.

Rachel Mayeri

Rachel Mayeri

Professor of Media StudiesMFA, University of California, San Diego

Contemporary art, media studies (especially film studies), cultural studies, science studies, video and new media production and installation.

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Salvador Plascencia

Associate Professor of Creative WritingMFA, Syracuse University

Creative writing; The novel as print technology.

David K. Seitz

David K. Seitz

Associate Professor of Cultural GeographyPhD, University of Toronto

Geographies of citizenship; feminist, critical race and queer theories; affect.

Paul F. Steinberg

Paul F. Steinberg

Malcolm Lewis Chair of Sustainability and SocietyProfessor of Political Science and Environmental PolicyPhD, University of California, Santa Cruz

Comparative and international environmental politics; environmental governance in developing countries; biodiversity; research methods.

Darryl Wright

Darryl Wright

Willard W. Keith, Jr. Fellow in the HumanitiesProfessor of PhilosophyChair, Humanities, Social Sciences, and the ArtsPhD, University of Michigan

History of ethics; moral and political philosophy.

Department of Mathematics

Arthur T. Benjamin

Arthur T. Benjamin

Smallwood Family Professor of MathematicsPhD, Johns Hopkins University

Combinatorics, game theory, and number theory, with particular emphasis on combinatorial proofs and Fibonacci numbers.

Andrew Bernoff

Andrew Bernoff

Professor of MathematicsPhD, Trinity College, Cambridge University

Fluid Mechanics including thin films, free surface problems, modelling of intermolecular forces, microfluidics and generation of micron-sized aerosols, mixing and advection/diffusion processes; material science, in particular continuum modelling and surface diffusion; mathematical methods, in particular dynamical systems, pattern formation self-similarity and scaling phenomena, and asymptotic methods.

Alfonso Castro

Alfonso Castro

Robert and Barbara McAlister Professor of MathematicsPhD, University of Cincinnati

Existence, multiplicity and bifurcation of solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations, general applied mathematics.

Lisette G. de Pillis

Lisette G. de Pillis

Norman F. Sprague Jr., Professor of Life SciencesProfessor of MathematicsPhD, University of California, Los Angeles

Cancer immunology modeling, mathematical biology, optimal control, parallel computing, numerical analysis, computational fluid dynamics, numerical linear algebra.

Weiqing Gu

Weiqing Gu

Robert and Barbara McAlister Professor of MathematicsM.A., PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Differential geometry and topology; geometrical modeling and design, applications to math-biology, applications to industrial mathematics (optimal control, encryption and color scheme).

Jamie Haddock

Jamie Haddock

Assistant Professor of MathematicsPhD, University of California, Davis

Mathematical data science, optimization, applied convex geometry.

Jon Jacobsen

Jon Jacobsen

Kenneth and Diana Jonsson Professor of MathematicsChair, Department of MathematicsPhD, University of Utah

Partial differential equations, dynamical systems, pattern formation, mathematical biology.

Dagan Karp

Dagan Karp

Professor of MathematicsPhD, University of British Columbia

Geometry and algebraic geometry. Including quantum geometry, Gromov-Witten theory and related subjects.

Haydee Lindo

Haydee Lindo

Associate Professor of MathematicsPhD, University of Utah

Commutative algebra, homological algebra and representation theory.

Susan E. Martonosi

Susan E. Martonosi

Professor of MathematicsPhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Operations research techniques applied to problems in homeland security; other public sector applications of mathematical modeling.

Mohamed Omar

Mohamed Omar

Joseph B. Platt Chair in Effective TeachingProfessor of MathematicsPhD, University of California, Davis

Algebraic methods in graph theory and discrete/combinatorial optimization.

Michael Orrison Jr.

Michael Orrison Jr.

Professor of MathematicsPhD, Dartmouth College

Graph theory, voting theory, representation theory, computational noncommutative harmonic analysis.

Francis Su

Francis Su

Benediktsson-Karwa Chair in MathematicsPhD, Harvard University

Geometric and topological combinatorics, fair division problems in game theory and mathematical economics.

Talithia D. Williams

Talithia D. Williams

Associate Professor of MathematicsDirector, Mathematics ClinicPhD, Rice University

Statistical techniques applied to problems in the environment, dynamic space – time modeling, nonstationary covariance estimation, change-of-support problem.

Darryl H. Yong ’96

Darryl H. Yong ’96

McGregor-Girand Chair in STEM Equity Innovation and Research and Professor of MathematicsCore Curriculum Director and Associate Dean for Special ProjectsB.S., Harvey Mudd College; PhD, University of Washington

Partial differential equations and asymptotics, mathematics education.

Heather Zinn Brooks

Heather Zinn Brooks

Barbara Stokes Dewey Assistant Professor of MathematicsPhD, University of Utah

Applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, complex systems, nonlinear dynamics, network theory, social systems, mathematical biology.

Department of Physics

Nicholas P. Breznay

Nicholas P. Breznay

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, Stanford University

Condensed matter physics.

Thomas D. Donnelly

Thomas D. Donnelly

Vice President and R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the FacultyProfessor of PhysicsPhD, University of California, Berkeley

High intensity laser physics and fluid dynamics.

James C. Eckert

James C. Eckert

Professor of PhysicsPhD, University of Southern California

Magnetic thin films.

Ann Esin

Ann Esin

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, Harvard University

Astrophysics, with a focus on observations and theoretical modeling of young stellar clusters.

Jason Gallicchio

Jason Gallicchio

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, Harvard University

Experimental cosmology.

Sharon Gerbode

Sharon Gerbode

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, Cornell University

Soft condensed matter.

Mark Ilton

Mark Ilton

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, McMaster UniversityKeck 1237

Soft condensed matter.

Theresa W. Lynn

Theresa W. Lynn

Bruce and Susan Worster Professor of PhysicsChair, Department of PhysicsPhD, California Institute of Technology

Atomic and optical physics, including quantum optics; observational study of ultra-high energy cosmic rays.

Peter N. Saeta

Peter N. Saeta

Professor of PhysicsDirector, Physics ClinicPhD, Harvard University

Nonlinear optics and semiconductor physics, including surface and buried interface effects, metal surfaces and nanoparticles; magneto-optics; plasmonics and solar energy conversion.

Vatche Sahakian

Vatche Sahakian

Burton Bettingen Professor of PhysicsPhD, University of Chicago

Theoretical physics, including string theory and cosmology.

Brian Shuve

Brian Shuve

Associate Professor of PhysicsPhD, Harvard University

Particle physics.

Daniel Tamayo

Daniel Tamayo

Assistant Professor of PhyiscsPhD, Cornell University

Astrophysics