Kim Levere

Associate Professor, Mathematics

College of Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Department of Mathematics & Statistics

Dynamical systems allow us to formulate mathematical models that can help us to describe real-world phenomena. From chemical reactions, to structural components of your home, through to even the mathematics of emotion, I enjoy learning how to understand these things mathematically! Implicit in these sorts of studies, I also get the chance to use numerical methods, analysis, computing, statistics and optimization skills. I love to see the Mathematics and Statistics that I have learned (and now teach to students) come alive in the real world.

I have come to discover that some models can be used for predictive purposes when done inversely. That is, starting with an answer and working toward some other part of a mathematical model. For instance, I have explored the use of such inverse problems in ecological modelling for the preservation of fish colonies when faced with the possibility of drought, or detecting the contraction of a disease in the body based purely on current x-rays.

In addition to my discipline-based research, teaching is a huge part of my life. As the instructor of a number of entry-level mathematics and statistics courses, I am constantly looking to bridge gaps between high school and University Calculus. I aim to make this transition as smooth as possible, while improving student learning and experience. As a backbone to so many different disciplines, I strive to motivate the study of Mathematics and Statistics beyond textbook problems and the classroom and open the eyes of students to their many real-world applications and uses.

Interests

Inverse Problems
Dynamical Systems and Modelling
Fractal-based Methods in Analysis
Fractional Calculus
Numerical Methods
Optimization
Mathematical Preparedness for University
Numeracy Initiatives
Delivery of Entry-level Mathematics
Accessibility in Learning

Recent Student Projects/Theses

An Inverse Problem for a Fractional Differential Equation Model
Samantha Frattaroli (2016), Undergraduate Research Project
The Effect of a Time-Dependent Population Model on Housing Prices
Ervin Uzonovic (2016), Undergraduate Research Project
An Inverse Problem for a Fractional Differential Equation Model
Brent Van De Walker (2017), Undergraduate Research Assistantship
Investigating Student Performance Based on Study Habits and Student Perceptions of Preparedness
Chisomeje Umeonyido (2017), Undergraduate Research Assistantship (funded by PSEER)
The Mathematics of Human Gait: A Model for Ageing Joints
Valerie Bauman (2018), Undergraduate Research Project
Modelling of Fruit Beer Production
Charlotte Coates (2018), Undergraduate Research Project
Comparison of Collage-Based Techniques to Other Popular Inverse Problem Techniques
Mehdi-Abderrahman Jabri (2018), Undergraduate Research Assistantship
Using Inverse Problems for PDEs to Identify Materials from Field Data
John Dewhurst (2018), Coop Placement and Research Assistant
Investigating Grader Consistency Using the Crowdmark Grading Platform
Michael Moore (2017-2018) Ph.D. Student (project collaborator)
A Collage-Coding Framework for Solving Inverse Problems for Differential Equations with Boundary Data
Victoria Brott (2018), (co-advisor)
Optimizing the Efficiency of Dairy Cows
Ginna Reyes (2018) Ph.D. Student (advisory committee)

Education

B.A. in Mathematics (University of Guelph), 2007.

Ph.D. in Mathematics & Statistics (University of Guelph), 2012.

Awards

University of Guelph Faculty Association Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching, 2016
Favourite Fall Professor, University of Guelph Student Housing, 2017 and 2019
Competency-based Education Funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education and D2L, 2018
Recipient of Learning Enhancement Fund Grant for Enhancing Assessment in Foundational Mathematics Courses, 2016
Recipient of a PSEER Grant for the development of a tool for detecting the consistency of grading amongst TA grading, 2018