Janet Fierson, Ph.D.

Dr. Fierson earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, with a concentration in Operations Research, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.  Her research involved optimization in mapping applications to parallel computer networks.  In addition, Dr. Fierson was an instructor for the undergraduate applied calculus sequence and taught calculus, problem solving, and research methodologies to high school students in a summer program designed to increase the number of students from under-represented groups in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

Dr. Fierson went on to a temporary postdoctoral teaching position at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she taught courses in calculus, differential equations, and mathematical modeling, and served as the first civilian course director of the Advanced Mathematics Program.  While there, she was selected as a 2008-2009 National Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) Fellow by the Mathematical Association of America.  Through this program, Dr. Fierson participated in workshops on improving the teaching and learning of mathematics and engaging in research and scholarship.

Dr. Fierson joined La Salle’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in 2011.  She teaches mathematics to both majors and non-majors, and created a new upper-level course in graph theory.  Her research interests lie in parallel computing and graph theory as well as in implementing effective pedagogical methods. Through a 2012 School of Arts and Sciences’ summer research grant, she completed joint work in chromatic graph theory with an undergraduate mathematics major. She currently serves as an advisor for undergraduate research, is faculty advisor of both the Math Club and La Salle’s Chapter of the Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society, and organizes the Department’s colloquium series.  She serves on the Arts and Sciences Assessment Committee and Athletics Committee; and she is also involved in the Integrating Business and Liberal Arts Project and the Neighborhood Health and Nutrition Project.

Areas of Expertise
Task mapping for parallel computing
Chromatic graph theory
Pedagogical practices in mathematics

Education
Ph.D., Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University (SUNY), 2007
B.A., Mathematics, Providence College, 2002
Teaching
MTH 114 Applied Business Calculus
MTH 150 Mathematics: Myths and Realities
MTH 371 Graph Theory
MTH 425 Mathematical Modeling

Publications

Zhang, P., Y. Gao, J. Fierson, and Y. Deng.  “Eigenanalysis-based Task Mapping on Parallel Computers with Cellular Networks.”  Mathematics of Computation (submitted 2011).

Fierson, J., G. Kramlich II, and J. A. Wright.  “Predicting Flu Season Requirements: An Undergraduate Modeling Project.”  PRIMUS (Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies)20.2 (2010): 169-181.

Selected Presentations

Fierson, J.  “Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Interest in Business Calculus.”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, Boston, MA, January 2012.

Fierson, J.  “Some Graph Theoretical Results for the Task Mapping Problem for Parallel Computers.”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, New Orleans, LA, January 2011.

Fierson, J. and E. Swim.  “Can Instructors Award Partial Credit on Multiple Choice Questions?”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Francisco, CA, January 2010.

Braunstein (Fierson), J.  “Promoting Responsibility and Cooperation Through the Use of Discussion Boards.”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington, DC, January 2009.

Boucher, R., J. Braunstein (Fierson), and D. Outing.  “The Advanced Mathematics Program at the United States Military Academy: Exposing Students to Technology Through a Rigorous Mathematics Curriculum.”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington, DC, January 2009.

Braunstein (Fierson), J.  “Predicting Flu Season Requirements: An Undergraduate Modeling Project.”  Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Diego, CA, January 2008.

Braunstein (Fierson), J.  “Analysis of Task Mapping Models on Several Ultra-scalable Supercomputers.”  Computational Science Center Seminar, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, February 2006.

Professional Memberships

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

American Mathematical Society (AMS)

Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)

EPaDel (Eastern PA and DE) Section of the MAA