Philip B. Yasskin
Associate Professor
Contacts
Education
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Ph.D., Physics, University of Maryland, May 1979
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M.S., Physics, University of Maryland, December 1975
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M.S., Applied Mathematics, University of Pennsylvania, May 1971
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B.A., Mathematics and Physics, University of Pennsylvania, May 1971
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Diploma, Central High School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1967
In the Profession
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9/1988 - present (2023), Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University
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9/1982 - 8/1988, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University
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7/1980 - 6/1982 Lecturer and Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mathematics, University of California at Berkeley
Fellow under Isadore Singer
Taught General Relativity, Discrete Mathematics, Mathematical Tools for Physical Sciences
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9/1978 - 8/1980 Chaim Weizmann Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physics, Harvard University
Fellow under Arthur Jaffe
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6/1978 - 8/1978 Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Univ. of Maryland
NASA Contract under Charles Misner
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1/1978 - 5/1978 Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics, Univ. of Maryland
Taught Fibre Bundles for Physicists
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3/1977 - 12/1977 Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Univ. of Maryland
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6/1975 - 2/1977 Research Assistant, Goddard Space Flight Center
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9/1971 - 5/1975 Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics, Univ. of Maryland
Research and Scholarly Interests
- General Relativity
- Differential Geometry
- AmbiTwistor Theory
- Classical Field Theory
- Applications of Computer Algebra Systems
- Technology in STEM Education
- Enhancement of K-12 Education
- Outreach to K-12 Students and Teachers
Projects
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Current Projects
Details at:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~yasskin/resume/Yasskin-Current-Projects-2023.html
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MYMathApps Calculus 1, 2, & 3 (MYMACalc)
https://www.math.tamu.edu/maple/maplets/MYMACalc/
(for TAMU students and faculty)
(A list of contributors is at
https://mymathapps.com/mymacalc-sample/Credits.html)
A 3-semester online Calculus text which is fully hyperlinked, is highly
interactive and emphasizes 2d and 3D graphics and animations.
A sample for the general public is available at
http://www.MYMathApps.com/mymacalc-sample
The book includes:
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Using Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to Improve
Teaching and Learning Spatial Transformations in STEM Disciplines
(ARAI-Trans)
PI: Yan, W., Co-PIs: Yasskin, P., Quek, F., Burte, H., Song, D., and Co-I: Liew, J.
We are developing ways to use augmented reality to teach translations,
rotations, reflections, dilations and other 3D spacial transformations
to architechture, engineering, geoscience, computer science, science
and math students. Students will hold a Lego model in their hand and a
virtual model will appear on the screen tracking the motions of the
physical model. As this happens, the screen will also display the matrix
transformations which describe the motions.
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Maplets for Calculus (M4C) (with D. Meade)
https://www.math.tamu.edu/maple/maplets/1.4/MapletsForCalculus.html
(for TAMU students and faculty)
(A list of contributors is at
https://mymathapps.com/mymacalc-sample/Credits.html)
A collection of 201 Maple applets for tutoring calculus online.
The M4C is now included in MYMACalc and is gradually being converted
into web pages for direct inclusion in the textbook.
The general public may purchase the M4C at
http://www.MYMathApps.com
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TAMU Math Circle Apps (with C. Van Huyck)
https://mymathapps.com/mymacalc-sample/MathCircleApps/MContents.html
A collection of interactive applets for use at online Math Circles.
Available to the general public.
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NOYCE Scholars (with Y. Li, S. Nite, R. Howe, et. al.)
https://www.math.tamu.edu/~snite/Noyce.html
An NSF Scholarship program to train future Math teachers.
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Previous Projects
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National Math Digital Library (Math-DL) (with L. Moore, D. Meade, et. al.)
for Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus
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Fellows Integrate Science/Math in Rural Middle Schools (with L. Johnson, et. al.)
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/peer/
An NSF program to send STEM graduate students into K-12 schools to work
with teachers and act as roll models for underserved groups.
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Writing for Assessment and Learning in the Natural and Mathematical Sciences (WALS)
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Deformation of Material Structure: Extrusion of Polycrystalline Materials
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CalcLabs with Maple for Single Variable Calculus (with A. Boggess, et. al.)
Cengage Learning, ISBN-13: 978-0-495-56062-3
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CalcLabs with Maple for Mulitvariable Calculus (with A. Belmonte)
Cengage Learning, ISBN-13: 978-0-495-56058-6
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VecCalc (with A. Belmonte)
https://calclab.math.tamu.edu/maple/veccalc
Maple package for Vector Calculus
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WebCalc I (with G. D. Allen and M. Stecher)
An online Calculus 1 textbook written in Scientific Notebook 5.5.
It is no longer easily accessible but was the inspiration for MYMACalc 1.
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WebCalc II (with G. Keiffer)
An online Calculus 2 textbook written in Scientific Notebook 5.5.
It is no longer easily accessible but was the initial draft of MYMACalc 2.
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WebCalc III (with D. Migl)
An online Calculus 3 textbook written in Scientific Notebook 5.5.
It was never used for teaching but was the initial draft of MYMACalc 3.
Awards
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2018, TAMU Sigma Xi Outstanding Scientific Communicator Award
https://sigmaxi.tamu.edu/awards/outstanding-communicator-award/past-outstanding-communicator-awards
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2014, Raytheon, MathMovesU, Math Hero Award
https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2645
https://science.tamu.edu/news/2014/09/yasskin-honored-as-2014-raytheon-math-hero/
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2008 ICTCM Award
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICTCM_Award
presented to Drs. Philip Yasskin and Douglas Meade and their program
"Maplets for Calculus" for "excellence and innovation in using technology
to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics" at the
20th International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM),
San Antonio, TX, March 6, 2008
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2011, The Association of Former Students,
Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching in the College of Science
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1996, 2007, Outstanding Service Awards, Dept of Math
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1999, Outstanding Teaching Award, Dept of Math
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Best Maple Website for Fall 2000: Maple Animations
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~yasskin/animaple/
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Gravity Research Foundation Essay Contest
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1980 - Honorable Mention ``Two Kinds of Rotation: An Argument for Torsion''
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1981 - Fifth Award ``Non-Self-Dual Nonlinear Gravitons'' (with J. Isenberg)
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Chaim Weizmann Postdoctoral Fellowship for Scientific Research, 1978 - 1980
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Putnam Mathematics Competition, National Ranks:
1968 - 264th, 1969 - 456th, 1970 - 112th
Grants
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NSF, RETTL 2119549, Using Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to Improve
Teaching and Learning Spatial Transformations in STEM Disciplines
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=2119549,
PI: Yan, W. Co-PIs: Yasskin, P., Quek, F., Burte, H., Song, D., and Co-I: Liew, J.,
Oct 1, 2021 - Sept 30, 2024
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NSF DUE #1852942, Strengthening Mathematics Instructions for Elementary & Middle Schools,
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=1852942,
Co-PI, (with Y. Li, S. Nite, L. Kelly & R. Howe),
June 1 , 2019 - May 31, 2024
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TAMU Academic Innovation Grant for development of the MYMathApps Calculus textbook 2018 - 2019.
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MAA Dolciani Grant for Math Circle outreach, (with F. Sottile & A. Sprintson) 2015 - 2016.
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MAA Dolciani Grant for Math Circle outreach, (with F. Sottile & A. Sprintson) 2014 - 2015.
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NSF DUE #1123255, Collaborative Research: Maplets for Calculus
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=1123255,
PI, (with D. Meade), Sept 1, 2011 - Aug 31, 2017
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NSF DUE #0737248, Collaborative Proposal: Maplets for Calculus
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0737248,
PI, (with D. Meade), June 15, 2008 - May 31, 2011
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NSF DUE #0638738, Fellows Integrate Science/Math in Rural Middle Schools, renewal
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0638738
Investigator, with PI: Larry Johnson, Feb 1, 2007 - Jan 31, 2011
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NSF DUE #0338310, Fellows Integrate Science/Math in Rural Middle Schools
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0338310
Investigator, with PI: Larry Johnson, Jan 1, 2004 - Dec 31, 2006
Selected Publications or Scholarly Works
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2020, "Can we Observe the Torsion of the Connection in the Geometry of the Universe?",
in The Sounds of Science — a Symphony for many Instruments and Voices,
ed. by R. Allen & S. Lidström,
Physica Scripta 95 No.6 062501, 36-37
(with G. Alexander, R. E. Allen, A. Atala, W. P. Bowen, A. A. Coley,
J. B. Goodenough, M. I. Katsnelson, E. V. Koonin, M. Krenn, L. S. Madsen,
M. Månsson, N. P. Mauranyapin, A. I. Melvin, E. Rasel, L. E. Reichl,
R. Yampolskiy, A. Zeilinger and S. Lidström)
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2019, "Toilet Paper Math",
Inspiring Mathematics, Lessons from the Navajo Nation Math Circles,
ed. by D. Auckly, B. Klein, A. Serenevy & T. Shubin, (pp. 61-74),
AMS, MSRI Mathematical Circles Library 24, (with D. Auckly).
ISBN: 978-1-4704-5387-9
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2009, "Maplets for Calculus: Improving Student Skills and Understanding in Calculus",
Elec Proc of 20th ICTCM, (with D. Meade)
http://archives.math.utk.edu/ICTCM/i/20/M010.html
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2004, "Product Yield for ECAE processing,"
Scripta Materialia 51 373-377
(with R. Barber, T. Dudo and T. Hartwig of TAMU Mech Eng)
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2001, "Towards an Ambitwistor Description of Gravity,"
in Further Advances in Twistor Theory, Vol III: Curved Twistor Spaces,
ed. by Mason, Hughston, Kobak and Pulverer,
(Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, 2001) pp. 150-158 (with J. Isenberg).
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1985, "The Dynamics of the Einstein-Dirac System I:
A Principal Bundle Formulation of the Theory and its Canonical Analysis,"
Annals of Physics, 164, 103-171 (with D. Bao and J. Isenberg).
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1982, "Non-Self-Dual Nonlinear Gravitons,"
General Relativity and Gravitation, 14, No. 7, 621-627 (with J. Isenberg).
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1979, "Can a Macroscopic Gyroscope Feel Torsion?,"
General Relativity and Gravitation, 11, 427-431 (with W. Stoeger).
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1978, "Non-Self-Dual Gauge Fields,"
Physics Letters, 78B, No 2, 462-464 (with P. Green and J. Isenberg).
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1979, "Metric - Connection Theories of Gravity,"
https://www.math.tamu.edu/~yasskin/resume/Thesis/
University of Maryland, May 1979, Advisor: Robert H. Gowdy.
Synergistic Activities
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Current:
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TAMU Summer Educational Enrichment in Math (SEE-Math)
http://see-math.math.tamu.edu/
Co-Founder and Co-Director, 2002 - present (2023)
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TAMU Math Circle
http://mathcircle.tamu.edu/
Co-Founder and Co-Director, 2011 - present (2023)
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SIGMAA (Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America)
on Math Circles for Students and Teachers
http://sigmaa.maa.org/mcst
Founding Member, 2008, Member, 2008 - present (2023)
Program Director, 2011 - 2019, Interum Program Director, 2020 - 2021
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SIGMAA on Mathematics Instruction Using the WEB
http://sigmaa.maa.org/web
Founding Member, 2007, Member, 2007 - present (2023)
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Pi Mu Epsilon, National Mathematics Honor Society; TAMU Student Chapter
of the Mathematical Association of America; and Math Club
Faculty Advisor, 1986 - 1995, 1999 - present (2023)
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Previous:
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Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley, Mathematics Exhibit on
"Platonic Solids. Can You Build These?"
http://www.cmbv.org/
Developed and Maintained the Exhibit, 2001 - 2012
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Brazos Valley Math Teachers' Circle
http://bvmtc.math.tamu.edu/
Co-Founder and Co-Director, 2008 - 2011
Teaching
Students
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Joseph Martinsen, Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis,
"Textbook Dependency Web",
Advisor, May 2019,
employed at Adobe
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Matthew Weihing, Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis,
"Interactive Web-Based Calculus Tutorials",
Advisor, May 2019
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Matthew Barry, Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis,
"MathLex: A Web-Based Mathematical Entry System",
http://mathlex.org/
Advisor, May 2013
employed at Texas A&M Center for Applied Technology,
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
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Marta Kobiela, Master's with Thesis,
Advisor, May 2006
employed as Asociate Professor, McGill University
Memberships
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Current:
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Mathematics Association of America 1970 - present (2021).
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SIGMAA on Mathematics Instruction Using the WEB -
Founding Member Aug, 2006 - present (2021).
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SIGMAA on Math Circles for Students and Teachers -
Founding Member Aug, 2008 - present (2021).
Program Director Jan 2011 - Jan 2019,
Interim Program Director: Jan 2020 - Jan 2021.
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Pi Mu Epsilon, National Mathematics Honor Society 1970 - present (2021).
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Faculty Advisor for local chapter 1986 - 1995, 1999 - present (2021).
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Previous:
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American Association for the Advancement of Science
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American Mathematical Society
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American Physical Society
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International Association of Mathematical Physics
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International Society for General Relativity and Gravitation
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Sigma Xi, Hononary Scientific Society
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Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
© Copyright P. Yasskin 2023
Last revised Mar 20, 2023