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DR. KEVIN VANDER MEULEN


Professor of Mathematics
Phone: 905.648.2139 Ext 4238
Fax: 905.648.2134
Office: 221G
Email: kvanderm@redeemer.ca

Courses taught 2011/2012:
MAT121   Calculus I
MAT126   Introduction to Linear Algebra
MAT321   Modern Geometry
MAT/CSC217   Discrete Mathematics
MAT103   History of Mathematics
MAT336   Linear Algebra

EDUCATION

 
Ph.D. (1995), Mathematics and Statistics, Queen's University
Dissertation: "Covers and Decompositions of Graphs by Complete Multipartite Subgraphs."
 
M.Sc. (1991), Mathematics and Statistics, Queen's University
Thesis: "Induced Subgraphs of Kneser Graphs."
 
B.Sc. Hon (1989), Mathematics, Calvin College
 
RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Linear algebra: combinatorial matrix analysis, sign patterns, inertia
  • Graph theory: decomposition problems, eigenvalue problems
  • History of mathematics

RECENT RESEARCH FUNDING

  • Combinatorial and Spectral Analysis of Matrix Patterns, NSERC Discovery Grant 2011-2016    
  • Combinatorial Matrix Theory, NSERC Discovery Grant 2006-2011

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

 
Natalie Campbell, K. Vander Meulen, and A. van Tuyl, "Structure of nilpotent matrices over fields," Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, Vol. 22 (2011), pp. 931-958.
 
Hannah Bergsma, K. Vander Meulen, and A. van Tuyl, "Potentially nilpotent patterns and the nilpotent-Jacobian method," Linear Algebra and its Applications (2011), doi:10.1016/j.laa.2011.05.017.
 
J. Bradley, R. Howell, and K. Vander Meulen, "Ontology" in J. Bradley and R. Howell (eds.) Mathematics Through the Eyes of Faith, HarperOne, 2011.
 
K. Vander Meulen and A. van Tuyl, "Zero-nonzero patterns for nilpotent matrices over finite fields," Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, Vol. 18 (2009), pp. 628-648.
 
M.S. Cavers, K. Vander Meulen and Loretta Vanderspek, "Sparse inertially arbitrary patterns," Linear Algebra and its Applications, Vol. 431 (2009), pp. 2024–2034.
 
I.-J. Kim, B. Shader, P. van den Driessche, H. van der Holst, and K. Vander Meulen, "Generating potentially nilpotent full sign patterns," Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, Vol. 18 (2009), pp. 162-175.
 
AIM minimum rank - special graphs work group, "Zero forcing sets and the minimum rank of graphs." Linear Algebra and its Applications, Vol. 428(7) (2008), pp. 1628-1648. Special graphs work group members: F. Barioli, W. Barrett, S. Butler, S. Cioaba, D. Cvetkovic, S. Fallat, C. Godsil, W. Haemers, L. Hogben, R. Mikkelson, S. Narayan, O. Pryporova, I. Sciriha, W. So, D. Stevanovic, H. van der Holst, K. Vander Meulen and A. Wangsness.
 
M.S. Cavers, R.J. Elzinga, D.A. Gregory, Sarah Vanderlinde, K. Vander Meulen, "Clique partitions of distance multigraphs," Discrete Mathematics, Vol. 308(15) (2008), pp. 3230-3240.
 
Michael S. Cavers and K. Vander Meulen, "Inertially arbitrary nonzero patterns of order 4," Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, Vol. 16 (2007), pp. 30-43
 
L. DeAlba, I.R. Hentzel, L. Hogben, J. McDonald, R. Mikkelson, O. Pryporova, B. Shader, K. Vander Meulen, "Spectrally arbitrary patterns: reducibility and the 2n conjecture for n=5," Linear Algebra and its Applications, Vol. 423 (2007), pp. 262-276.
 
 
RECENT PRESENTATIONS

 
"Index of nilpotent matrices and the nilpotent-Jacobian method," Session on Combinatorial Matrix Theory, Canadian Mathematical Society Summer Meeting, Edmonton, AB, June 3, 2011.
 
"Mathematics as a Language," inaugural address, Redeemer University College, March 11, 2011.
 
"Structure of Nilpotent Matrices," Western Canada Linear Algebra Meeting, AB, May 8, 2010.
 
"Nilpotent zero-nonzero patterns over finite fields," Minisymposium on Spectral Properties of Sign and Zero-Nonzero Patterns, SIAM Conference on Applied Linear Algebra, Monterey CA, October 28, 2009.
 
"Historical Perspectives on Probability," 17th Biennial Conference of the ACMS, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Il, May 27-30, 2009.
 
"Potentially Nilpotent Full Sign Patterns," AMS Special Session on Spectra of Matrix Patterns and Applications to Dynamical Systems, 2009 Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington D.C., January 6-8, 2009.
 
"Probability Through the Eyes of Faith," OCSTA (Ontario Christian School Teachers Association) Convention, Redeemer University College, October 24, 2008.
 
"Sparse Inertially Arbitrary Sign Patterns," Minisymposium on Combinatorial Matrix Theory, 15th ILAS (International Linear Algebra Society) Conference, Mexico, June 16-20, 2008.
 
"Sparse Inertially Arbitrary Sign Patterns," Quantum Information and Geometric Statistics Seminar, University of Guelph, ON, February 12, 2008.
 
"Spectrally Arbitrary Sign Patterns," Faculty Colloquium, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, April 26, 2007
 
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

  • Association for Christians in the Mathematical Sciences
  • Canadian Mathematical Society
  • International Linear Algebra Society
 
CROSS APPOINTMENTS

 
Adjunct Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McMaster University
 
 
RELEVANT LINKS

Professor Vander Meulen's homepage

 
 
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