Education

Courses

• Introductory Linear Algebra (MAT-126)
• Discrete Mathematics (MAT-217)
• Graph Theory (MAT-317/417)
• Mathematical Biology (MAT-318)
• Modern Geometry (MAT-321)
• Abstract Algebra (MAT-331/431)
• Linear Algebra (MAT-336/436)
• Honours Research Project (MAT-490)

About

Kevin Vander Meulen is Professor of Mathematics at Redeemer University, and has taught at Redeemer since 1994. He enjoys teaching a wide variety of mathematics courses. He has also enjoyed the opportunity to hire students over each summer since 1999 to explore research problems in mathematics. Many of his journal articles are co-authored with students. He lives with his family in Hamilton and enjoys canoeing, hiking and cycling.

Research Interests

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

Recent Research Funding

• Combinatorial matrix theory and spectral analysis, NSERC Discovery Grant 2022-2027

Some Recent Publications

B. Curtis, C. Garnett, B. Shader, K. Vander Meulen, “The non-symmetric strong multiplicity property for sign patterns.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, 41 (2025) 153–165.

M. Cox, K. Vander Meulen, A. Van Tuyl, J. Voskamp, “Condition numbers of Hessenberg companion matrices.” Czechoslovak Mathematical Journal, 74:1 (2024) 191–209.

J. Breen, C. Brouwer, M. Catral, M. Cavers, P. van den Driessche, K. Vander Meulen, “Allow sequence of distinct eigenvalues for a sign pattern.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra, 40 (2024) 48–80.

A. Abiad, S. Fallat, M. Kempton, R. Levene, P. Oblak, H. Šmigoc, M. Tait, K. Vander Meulen, “Bordering of symmetric matrices and an application to the minimum
number of distinct eigenvalues for the join of graphs.” Linear Algebra and its Applications, 679 (2023) 104–126.

F.M. Abdelmalek, E. Vander Meulen, K. Vander Meulen, A. Van Tuyl, “Well-covered token graphs.” Discussiones Mathematicae Graph Theory, 43 (2023) 767–792.

J. Breen, C. Brouwer, M. Catral, M. Cavers, P. van den Driessche, K. Vander Meulen, “Minimum number of distinct eigenvalues allowed by a sign pattern.” Linear Algebra and its Applications, 654 (2022) 311–338.

L. Duong, B. Kroschel, M. Riddell, K. Vander Meulen, A. Van Tuyl, “Maximum nullity and zero forcing of circulant graphs.” Special Matrices 8 (2020) 221–234.

M. Cavers, J. Fischer, K. Vander Meulen, “Spectral properties of sign patterns.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra 30 (2020) 183–197.

Some Recent Presentations

“Matrix sign patterns that allow the strong multiplicity property,” minisymposium on combinatorial matrix theory, 26th ILAS (International Linear Algebra Society) conference, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, June 24, 2025.

“Digraphs that require distinct eigenvalues,” minisymposium on spectral graph theory, Canadian Discrete and Algorithmic Mathematics Conference, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May 20, 2025.

“On the number of distinct eigenvalues of zero-nonzero matrix patterns,” ILAS special session on strong properties of matrix classes, Joint Mathematics Meetings, Seattle, WA, January 8, 2025.

“On counting eigenvalues of matrix sign patterns,” 05C50 Online Seminar, University of Manitoba, October 11, 2024.

“Playing with mathematics: art as a pedagogical method,” ACMS (Association for Christians in the Mathematical Sciences) conference, Dordt University, IA, May 31, 2024.

“Inverse eigenvalue problems for sign patterns,” ILAS special session on sign-pattern matrices and their applications, Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Francisco, January 5, 2024.

“Variations on the Frobenius companion matrix,” Mathematics Department Colloquium, virtual presentation, Georgia State University, October 20, 2023.

Professional Memberships and Associations

• Association for Christians in the Mathematical Sciences
• Canadian Mathematical Society
• International Linear Algebra Society
• Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

Cross Appointments

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