Darin Stephenson

Darin Stephenson is a Professor of Mathematics at Hope College, where he has taught over 20 courses since 1997 including Multivariable Mathematics, Bridge to Higher Mathematics, and Algebraic Structures. He served as Mathematics Department Chair from 2004-2010 and currently holds a Fellowship at Hope's Center for Ministry Studies. His service extends to the Michigan Section of the Mathematical Association of America (Executive Committee 2008-2011, Chair 2009-10) and multiple campus committees including Academic Affairs and Campus Life Boards.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Michigan (1994)
• M.S. in Mathematics, University of Michigan (1990)
• B.S. in Mathematics, University of Kentucky (1988)

Stephenson's research integrates algebraic structures with computational applications, focusing on non-commutative projective geometry through ring-theoretic approaches and combinatorial graph theory (notably the Lights Out problem's connections to linear algebra and cellular automata). His recent work applies machine learning to ecological modeling—using neural networks for bird call recognition and surface topography analysis in sand dune ecosystems—demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary trajectory from pure mathematics to data-driven environmental science.

Publication trends reveal dual research streams: foundational work in quantum projective spaces (1997-2007) and applied combinatorics/machine learning (2009-2020). The latter increasingly features undergraduate co-authors, reflecting his commitment to student research mentorship in computational biology and environmental modeling.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material.

Stephenson actively involves undergraduates in research, resulting in eight co-authored publications with students like Laura Ballard and Erica Budge. While specific grants aren't detailed, his sustained student collaborations—particularly in the NSF-funded An Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Computational and Mathematical Biology (2020)—indicate consistent external support for his interdisciplinary projects.

Though no dedicated laboratory is described, his work manifests through cross-departmental teams: computational biology collaborations with biology faculty, environmental modeling with geology researchers, and ministry studies integration through his Center Fellowship. His bird call recognition project exemplifies this networked approach, merging mathematics, computer science, and ecology expertise.