Tara Smith

Professor Tara Smith is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati, holding the rank of Professor since 2001. She has served as both the Graduate and Undergraduate Program Director and has extensive involvement with College Board's AP Calculus program, including roles in test development and scoring leadership. Her research focuses on abstract algebra, quadratic forms, division algebras, and mathematics teacher preparation. She currently serves as a Program Director in the Algebra and Number Theory Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Education: A.B. in Mathematics from Princeton University (1982), Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley (1988). Her academic journey includes roles as Research Instructor at Ohio State University (1988-1991) and Assistant/Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati (1991-2001).

Research interests span algebraic theory of quadratic forms, Galois groups, valuations, and ordered fields. She has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications, including studies on Witt kernels, semiorderings, and Galois realizability of finite groups. Her work bridges abstract algebra with educational initiatives, particularly in STEM teacher training.

Awards include multiple Taft Faculty Summer Research Grants and Association for Women Mathematicians Travel Grants. She has secured NSF grants totaling over $435K, including roles as PI for initiatives in algebraic number theory and education programs. Her service includes leadership roles on national committees for AP Calculus and the American Mathematical Society.