Shanna Dobson

Shanna Dobson is a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at California State University, Los Angeles (College of Natural and Social Sciences) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at ArtCenter College of Design, where she also serves as Chair of the Faculty Council. She holds a PhD in Mathematics (Summa cum Laude) from the University of California, Riverside, advised by Distinguished Professor Michel L. Lapidus.

Her research focuses on Arithmetic Geometry, Topos Theory, Fractal Geometry, and interdisciplinary MathArt (mathematics-art integration). She champions multimodal learning and Universal Design for Learning to make mathematics accessible. She founded the Women, Art, and Mathematics (WAAM) Research Network and the MathArt Conversations Educational Project.

Dobson's publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary trends, blending pure mathematics (Langlands Program, fractal cohomology) with cognitive science, literature, and art. Her work frequently employs category theory to explore topics like quantum error correction, mental imagery, and time perception.

Major awards and fellowships include:

• NSF Mathematical Sciences Graduate Research Fellow
• UCR Chancellor Distinguished Fellow
• Mellon Foundation grantee
• Institute for Advanced Study Women and Mathematics Ambassador
• Caltech SURF Fellow
• USC Faculty Equity Fellow

She holds leadership roles in professional organizations: Past Chair of the MAA Southern California-Nevada Section, Associate Editor for the Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library, and organizer of multiple AMS special sessions. She co-created ArtCenter's Redesigning the Future Series and serves on scientific advisory boards.