معرفی
Kathleen Kavanagh serves as Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Institute for STEM Education at Clarkson University, holding the Robert A. Plane Endowed Chair within the Coulter School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Her dual leadership roles position her at the intersection of advanced mathematical research and transformative STEM education initiatives.
Her research program integrates numerical analysis, optimization, and computational mathematics to solve complex hydrology problems including groundwater flow modeling, adaptive temporal integration for unsaturated systems, and water resource management optimization. Simultaneously, she drives national efforts in mathematical modeling education through the GAIMME report and K-16 curriculum integration projects, creating bridges between theoretical mathematics and real-world applications across agricultural, environmental, and cognitive domains.
Analysis of her 2013-2016 publications reveals a distinctive interdisciplinary signature where mathematical modeling serves as the connective tissue between environmental engineering, agricultural systems, cognitive neuroscience, and educational reform. Her work consistently demonstrates how computational methods can address pressing societal challenges while simultaneously transforming how mathematics is taught across educational levels.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Best Paper Award at the 2010 International Conference on Computational Science
Through the Institute for STEM Education, she orchestrates extensive outreach programs including roller coaster science camps, university-school partnerships, and professional development for K-12 educators, creating systemic pathways for STEM engagement that extend far beyond traditional classroom boundaries.