Dr. Kevin Vander Meulen

Director of Research; Professor of Mathematics


Phone: (905) 648-2139   Ext:4238

Email: kvanderm@redeemer.ca

Office: 221G

Programs: Mathematics

Education

PhD (1995), Mathematics and Statistics, Queen’s University.

M.Sc. (1991), Mathematics and Statistics, Queen’s University.

B.Sc. (Hons) (1989), Mathematics, Calvin College.

Courses

  • Calculus II (MAT-122)
  • Introductory Linear Algebra (MAT-126)
  • Discrete Mathematics (MAT-217)
  • Graph Theory (MAT-317/417)
  • 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

Selected Research Publications

View Dr. Kevin Vander Meulen’s research publications
View all faculty research publications

Some Recent Publications

Saha, Abhilash, Leona Tilis, Kevin N. Vander Meulen, Adam Van Tuyl. “Sign patterns which require or allow the strong multiplicity property.” Linear Algebra and its Applications 747 (2026): 77-97.

Cavers, Michael, and Kevin N. Vander Meulen. “Nonzero matrix patterns that require distinct eigenvalues.” Linear Algebra and its Applications 742 (2026): 66-76.

Jongsma, Calvin, and Kevin N. Vander Meulen. “A neo-Kuyperian approach to mathematics.” In R. Kosits (ed.), Creation Regained: Disciplinary Perspectives, Dordt Press, (2026), 23–64.

Curtis, Bryan, Colin Garnett, Bryan L. Shader, and Kevin N. Vander Meulen. “The non-symmetric strong multiplicity property for sign patterns.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra 41 (2025): 153-165.

Cavers, Michael, Casey Charette, Ezekiel Colvin, and Kevin N. Vander Meulen. “Combinatorial considerations for the number of distinct eigenvalues of a matrix.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra 41 (2025): 670-694.

Cox, Michael, Kevin N. Vander Meulen, Adam Van Tuyl, and Joseph Voskamp. “Condition numbers of Hessenberg companion matrices.” Czechoslovak Mathematical Journal 74, no. 1 (2024): 191-209.

Breen, Jane, Carraugh Brouwer, Minerva Catral, Michael Cavers, Pauline van den Driessche, Kevin N. Vander Meulen. “The allow sequence of distinct eigenvalues for a sign pattern.” Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra 40 (2024): 48-80.

Abiad, Aida, Shaun M. Fallat, Mark Kempton, Rubert Levene, Polona Oblak, Helena Šmigoc, Michael Tait, and Kevin N. 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.

Abdelmalek, F. M., Esther Vander Meulen, Kevin N. Vander Meulen, and Adam Van Tuyl. “Well-Covered Token Graphs.” Discussiones Mathematicae Graph Theory 43, no. 3 (2023): 767-792.

Duong, Linh, Brenda K. Kroschel, Michael Riddell, Kevin N. Vander Meulen, and Adam Van Tuyl. “Maximum nullity and zero forcing or circulant graphs.” Special Matrices 8, no. 1 (2020): 221-234.

Some Recent Presentations

“Sign patterns that allow the strong spectral property,” minisymposium on the inverse eigenvalue problem, 27th ILAS conference, Blacksburg, VA, May 19, 2026.

“The allow sequence of distinct eigenvalues of a digraph,” ILAS special session on algebraic graph theory: new trends, Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington D.C. January 7, 2026.

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

“Digraphs that require distinct eigenvalues.” Presentation at theminisymposium 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.” Presentation at the ILAS special session on strong properties of matrix classes, Joint Mathematics Meetings, Seattle, WA, January 8, 2025.

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

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

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

Research Funding

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

Professional Memberships and Associations

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