معرفی
Dr. Erica Kathleen Oldaker is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the School of Science, Technology and Health at Gordon College. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Baylor University and a B.S. from Lee University.
Dr. Oldaker's research focuses on Mathematical Physics, with particular expertise in quantum mechanics, quantum chaos, and quantum graphs. Her work explores the spectral properties of quantum graphs with symmetry, including circulant graphs and Cayley graphs. She investigates how these mathematical structures can model phenomena in graphene, photonic crystals, quantum wires, and other nanoscale systems.
Her research has important applications in nanotechnology, including modeling carbon nano-structures and understanding Anderson localization in mesoscopic systems. She has presented her work at numerous conferences including the Joint Mathematics Meetings and the Texas Analysis and Mathematical Physics Symposium.
Dr. Oldaker is also passionate about mathematics education. She teaches a wide range of courses from elementary education math content to advanced topics like Real Analysis and Graph Theory. She has explored alternative grading methods like mastery-based testing and believes that 'mathematics is the language with which God wrote the universe.'
- 'Joyful Mathematics: Worship through Delight' (2025) explores the connection between mathematical study and religious worship
- 'Spectral properties of quantum circulant graphs' (2019) examines the mathematical properties of quantum systems with cyclic symmetry
- Her dissertation 'Spectral properties of quantum graphs with symmetry' (2019) forms the foundation of her research program
Her research publications show a clear trajectory from theoretical foundations in spectral graph theory to applications in quantum physics and nanotechnology, with recent work expanding to include the philosophical and educational dimensions of mathematical practice.
Dr. Oldaker teaches a diverse range of courses including Calculus, Real Analysis, Graph Theory, and specialized courses for future elementary educators. She has also presented on innovative teaching methods such as mastery-based testing.
