Curriculum Vitae
Summary
I am a mathematician, teacher, artist and maker. I have done research on the geometry of tilings and patterns, such as the Penrose tiling, but more recently describe myself as pursuing unusual applications of mathematics. Some of these are really quite traditional, for example working with physicists to model the geometry of two-dimensional crystals, but others are more exotic, controlling robots and working with architects and designers. In all this I am driven by a passion to communicate the beauty and utility of mathematical thinking, working in an interdisciplinary style.
My research has appeared in a wide range of journals including Nature and the proceedings of the National Academy of Science, as well as in national and international media including New Scientist, NPR and the Guardian. My artwork has appeared in the New York Times and is installed in several universities from Imperial College London to the University of Arkansas. I have two adult colouring books of mathematical images and a counting book which open up the beauty of deep mathematical ideas to a wide audience.
Employment
| 2022 – present | Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Art, University of Arkansas |
| 2011 – 2022 | Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas |
| 2019 (fall) | Illustrating Mathematics Semester, ICERM, Brown University |
| 2017 (fall) | Resident, IMéRA (Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Study) |
| 2010 – 2011 | Visiting Professor, University of Arkansas |
| 2009 – 2010 | Teaching Fellow, University of Leicester |
| 2009 | Research Assistant, Open University |
| 2006 – 2009 | EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellow in Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London |
| 2004 – 2006 | Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Queen Mary, University of London |
Education
| 2000 – 2004 | PhD, Imperial College, London, UK. Thesis: On Canonical Substitution Tilings. Supervisor: Dr J. S. W. Lamb. |
| 1996 – 2000 | MMath (First Class), University of Warwick, UK. |
Research Interests
- Developing mathematical art, culture and pedagogy through mathematical experiences.
- Illustrating mathematics.
- Applications of differential geometry in manufacturing and CNC.
- Aperiodic tilings and discrete geometry, especially substitution tilings.
Publications
- Genuine Pretending: A Philosophy for Mathematics and Art. Proceedings of Bridges 2025: Mathematics and the Arts, 2025. PDF
- Interview with Jon-Paul Wheatley. MAA Focus, 2025. PDF
- Wiring Euclid for Manufacturing. Topos Institute Blog, 2025.
- Zip-Form: Geometry of Fabrication-Aware Curved Beams. Proceedings of AAG 2025 Symposium, 2025.
- A Conversation with Ingrid Daubechies. MAA Focus, 2024.
- Gradient of Grain (MAA Focus article). MAA Focus, 2024.
- On the Importance of Illustration for Mathematical Research. Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 2024. arXiv DOI
- Nervous Systems: Where Biology, Art, and Mathematical Models Merge. MAA Focus, 2024.
- Algebraic Number Starscapes. Experimental Mathematics, 2022. arXiv DOI
- The Art of Illustrating Mathematics. Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, 2022. DOI
- Insider Accounts of Dyslexia from Research Mathematicians. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 2022. DOI
- Sculpting Metal Curvahedra. MAA Focus, 2022. PDF
- Zip-Formwork: Fabrication of Shape-Optimised Concrete Structures. Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia, IASS/APCS 2022 Symposium, 2022.
- Counting Books and Beyond: Some Mathematical Books for Children. Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 2021. DOI
- Double-Curved Spin-Valence: Geometric and Computational Basis. Proceedings of Advances in Architectural Geometry 2020, 2021. PDF
- Unregulated Craft of 5-Axis Waterjet Cutting. Proceedings of Construct3D 2020 Conference, 2020. PDF
- Gauss-Bonnet Sculpting. Proceedings of Bridges 2020: Mathematics, Art, Music, Architecture, Education, Culture, 2020. PDF
- Hello Numbers! What Can You Do?. The Experiment, NY, 2020.
- An Invitation to Category Theory for Designers. antiAtlas Journal, 2019. PDF
- Geometry in the Walnut Grove: An Applied Mathematical Approach to Art. Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, 2019. DOI PDF
- A Slicer and Simulator for Cooperative 3D Printing. 28th International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, 2017.
- Tilings (Handbook Chapter). Handbook of Discrete and Computational Geometry, 2017. DOI PDF
- Two-Dimensional Disorder in Black Phosphorus and Monochalcogenide Monolayers. Nano Letters, 2016. DOI
- Visions of the Universe. The Experiment, NY, 2016.
- Patterns of the Universe. The Experiment, NY, 2015.
- Strain and the Optoelectronic Properties of Nonplanar Phosphorene Monolayers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015. DOI
- Intrinsic Defects, Fluctuations of the Local Shape, and the Photo-Oxidation of Black Phosphorus. ACS Central Science, 2015. DOI
- Quantitative Chemistry and the Discrete Geometry of Conformal Atom-Thin Crystals. ACS Nano, 2014. DOI
- What Is … a Rauzy Fractal?. Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 2014. DOI
- Number 2. The Mathematical Intelligencer, 2013. DOI
- Parallelogram Tilings, Worms, and Finite Orientations. Discrete & Computational Geometry, 2013. arXiv DOI
- Pentagonal Domain Exchange. Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems, 2013. arXiv DOI
- Improvising Mathematics. Arts Professional, 2012.
- Academic Prejudice and the Spirit of Humbleness. Common Knowledge: The Challenge of Transdisciplinarity, 2011.
- Algebraic Numbers, Free Group Automorphisms and Substitutions on the Plane. Transactions of the American Mathematical Society, 2011. DOI PDF
- From Oranges to Modems. Nature, 2011. DOI
- Potentials for Multi-Dimensional Tessellations in Architectural Applications. ACADIA 11: Integration through Computation, 2011. PDF
- How Do Shapes Fill Space?. iSquared Magazine, 2009.
- The Responsibilities of Mathematicians. Mathematics Today, 2008.
- Flattening Functions on Flowers. Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems, 2007. arXiv DOI
- Images of the Ammann-Beenker Tiling. Bridges Donostia, 2007. PDF
- Logic for Mathematical Writing. Logic Journal of the IGPL, 2007. DOI
- Non-Periodic Rhomb Substitution Tilings That Admit Order n Rotational Symmetry. Discrete & Computational Geometry, 2005. DOI
- On Canonical Substitution Tilings. Imperial College London, 2004.
- Canonical Substitution Tilings of Ammann-Beenker Type. Theoretical Computer Science, 2004. DOI
Artworks
- Holonomy Blocks. cnc milled and 3d printed, 2025.
- Misshapen Chaos (of Well Seeming Forms). 3d printed, 2025.
- Travels of Category Theory for the Working Mathematician. photography, 2024.
- Curvahedra Medal. sand cast, 2024.
- Geodesic Boards. cnc milled, 2024.
- Gradient of Grain. cnc milled, 2024.
- Barth Sextic. 5-axis cnc, 2023.
- Einstein Mad Hat Award Plaques. cnc milled, 2023.
- Mathemalchemy. installation, 2022.
- Revealing Dimensions. digital print, 2022. 42' × 8'.
- Gearhart Hall Courtyard Curvahedra. plasma cut, 2021. 12 ft diameter.
- Three Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces. hand construction, 2019.
- Shifting Ammann in Brightest Orange. digital print, 2018. 52' × 8'.
- Collatz Seaweed. generative, 2016.
- Elevator Deformations. digital print, 2016.
- Geometry in the Walnut Grove: An Applied Mathematical Approach to Art. cnc milled, 2016. Nine slice-form domes, each up to 8 ft long.
- Spira-gyroid. laser cut, 2015.
- Woven Permutation Rings. sand cast, 2013.
- Magnetic Klein Quartic. hand construction, 2011.
- 3D Spirographs. mixed, 2010.
- Tiling Typography. digital, 2010.
- Lasercut Penrose Tiles. laser cut, 2009.
- Sculpture System 5. cnc milled, 2009.
- Surfaces in 3 and 4 Dimensions. digital print, 2008.
Exhibitions
- Creation: Between Art and Mathematics. Espace Laurent Schwartz, Institut Henri Poincaré, Paris, France. 2026-04-09 – 2026-07-25. Curated by Élodie Christophe, Rémi Coulon, Edmund Harriss, Glen Whitney.
- Craft and Technology: Digital Design and Making Across Campus. Mullins Library, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 2025-12-03 – 2026-02-27. Curated by Emily Baker, Edmund Harriss, and Vincent Edwards.
- Bridges 2025 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, Eindhoven, Netherlands. 2025-07-14 – 2025-07-18.
- Warped Realities: The Art of Differential Geometry. Composite Gallery, National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), New York, NY. 2025-06-19 – 2025-09-30.
- Intersections: Discover Math & Art. Mercer Island Community and Events Center, Mercer Island, WA. 2025-03-03 – 2025-04-25.
- JMM 2025 Mathematical Art Exhibition. Joint Mathematics Meetings, Seattle, WA. 2025-01-08 – 2025-01-11.
- JMM 2024 Mathematical Art Exhibition. Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Francisco, CA. 2024-01-03 – 2024-01-06.
- Bridges 2023 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, Halifax, NS, Canada. 2023-07-27 – 2023-07-31.
- JMM 2023 Mathematical Art Exhibition. Joint Mathematics Meetings, Boston, MA. 2023-01-04 – 2023-01-07.
- Bridges 2020 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, Online. 2020-08-01 – 2020-08-05.
- Algebraic Starscapes — Gaukurinn Exhibition. Gaukurinn, Reykjavik, Iceland. 2020-01-01 – 2020-12-31.
- ICERM Illustrating Mathematics Exhibition. ICERM, Brown University, Providence, RI. 2019-09-16 – 2019-12-20.
- JMM 2019 Mathematical Art Exhibition. Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD. 2019-01-16 – 2019-01-19.
- Bridges 2015 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, Baltimore, MD. 2015-07-29 – 2015-08-02.
- JMM 2015 Mathematical Art Exhibition. Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Antonio, TX. 2015-01-10 – 2015-01-13.
- Floating Lines. Anne Kittrell Art Gallery, Arkansas Union, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 2014-01-21 – 2014-02-14. Curated by Edmund Harriss.
- How do Shapes Fill Space?. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, London, UK. 2009-06-30 – 2009-07-03.
- Bridges 2008 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, Leeuwarden, Netherlands. 2008-07-24 – 2008-07-29.
- ARSciE — Blyth Gallery 2008. Blyth Gallery, Sherfield Building, Imperial College London. 2008-05-27 – 2008-05-30. Curated by Dora Tang.
- Bridges 2007 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, San Sebastián, Spain. 2007-07-24 – 2007-07-27.
- Bridges 2006 Art Exhibition. Bridges Conference, London, UK. 2006-08-04 – 2006-08-09.
Professional Memberships
American Mathematical Society · London Mathematical Society · British Society for the History of Mathematics