CURRICULUM VITAE
Lia Vas

 

 

Lia Vas
Associate Professor
Department of Mathematics
Physics and Statistics
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia  
e-mail: l.vas@usp.edu



RESEARCH INTERESTS

Algebra, ring and module theory. More specifically: torsion theories, rings of quotients, rings of operators, derivations on rings, finite von Neumann algebra, Baer *-rings. Mathematics Subject Classification codes: primary: 16S90, 16W99, 16N80, 16E60, 16W10; secondary: 16K99, 16W25, 46L99, 46L10, 19K99.

 


EMPLOYMENT

  • Associate Professor, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, June 2007 - present.
  • Assistant Professor, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, August 2002 – June 2007.  
  • Research Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, September 2001 - June 2002.
  • Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland, College Park, September 1996 - June 2001.
  • Online Tutor, Smarthinking, Inc., September 2000 - May 2002.
  • Teaching Assistant, University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, September 1993 - June 1996.


EDUCATION

  • September 1996 - May 2002: Ph.D. in mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park.  Advisor: James Schafer. 
  • September 1993 - June 1996: Enrolled in the MA. program in mathematics at the University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
  • September 1989 - June 1993: B.Sc. in Mathematics, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.



PUBLICATIONS

 

1.      G. Aranda Pino, L. Vas, Noetherian Leavitt path algebras and their regular algebras, submitted for publication.

2.      E. Akalan, L. Vas, Classes of almost clean rings,Algebras and Representation Theory, in print.

3.      L. Vas, Strongly semihereditary rings and rings with dimension, Algebras and Representation Theory, in print.

4.      G. Aranda Pino, K. M. Rangaswami, L. Vas, *-regular Leavitt path algebras of arbitrary graphs, Acta Math. Sinica (Engl. Ser.), in print.

5.      L. Vas, *-Clean Rings; Some Clean and Almost Clean Baer *-rings and von Neumann Algebras, Journal of Algebra, 324 (2010), no. 12, 3388 – 3400. The 3rd most downloaded article on the ScienceDirect TOP25 Hottest Articles list for the Journal of Algebra for the period October – December 2010.

6.      L. Vas, T. P. Enright, Generalization of Cross Product to Higher Dimensions Using Geometric Approach, For the Learning of Mathematics, 30 (2), (2010) 24 – 25.

7.      L. Vas, C. Papachristou, A note on (α, β)-higher derivations and their extensions to modules of quotients, Proceedings of the International Conference on Ring and Module Theory, Ankara, Turkey, August 2008; Ring and Module theory, Trends in Mathematics, Birkhäuser Verlag Basel, Switzerland, (2010) 165 – 174.

8.      L. Vas, Perfect Symmetric Rings of Quotients, Journal of Algebra and its Applications, 8 (2009), no. 5, 689 – 711.

9.      L. Vas, Extending ring derivations to right and symmetric rings and modules of quotients, Communications in Algebra, 37 (2009) no. 3, 794 – 810.

10. L. Vas, Extending higher derivations to rings and modules of quotients, International Journal of Algebra, 2 (2008) no. 15, 711 – 731.

11. L. Vas, Torsion Theories for Algebras of Affiliated Operators of Finite von Neumann Algebras, Rocky Mountain Journal of Mathematics, 37 (2007), no. 6, 2053 – 2075.

12. L. Vas, Semisimplicity and Global Dimension of a Finite von Neumann Algebra, Mathematica Bohemica 132 (2007) no. 1, 13 – 26.

13. L. Vas, Differentiability of Torsion Theories, Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra 210 (2007) no. 3, 847 – 853.

14. J. Ding, D. Mundici, D. S. Passman, J. B. Srivastava, L. Vas, Open  Problems, Proceedings of The Conference on Algebra and its Applications,  Contemporary Mathematics 419 (2006) 307 – 319.

15. L. Vas, A Simplification of Morita's Construction of Total Right Rings of Quotients for a Class of Rings, Journal of Algebra, 304 (2006), no. 2, 989 – 1003. 

16. L. Vas, Class of Baer *-rings Defined by a Relaxed Set of Axioms, Journal of Algebra 297 (2006) no. 2, 470 – 473.

17. L. Vas, Dimension and Torsion Theories for a Class of Baer *-Rings, Journal of Algebra 289 (2005), no. 2, 614 – 639. The 16th most downloaded article on the ScienceDirect TOP25 Hottest Articles list for the Journal of Algebra for the period April – June 2005.

18. L. Vas, Torsion Theories for Finite von Neumann Algebras, Communications in Algebra 33 (2005), no. 3, 663 – 688. 

19. Kovacevic, N. Ralevic, L. Vas, Uvod u Matematicku Analizu (Introduction to Mathematical Analysis), textbook, Univ. of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1998.

20. D. Masulovic, L. Vas, A software support to exploration of multialgebras and algebras of complexes with small cardinalities, Proc. of the 10th Conf. on Applied Math., Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1996.

21. L. Vas, R. Madarasz, A note about multi-algebras, power algebras and identities, Proc. of the 9th Conf. on Applied Math., Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1995.

 

HONORS

·        Recipient of the Faculty Special Recognition Award (an annual award given by USciences to recognize the faculty member that had the most outstanding record of achievement in Teaching, Research and Service), December 2011.

·        Nomination for the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, June 2009.

·        Nomination for the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, June 2007.

·        Recipient of the W. F. Homiller Award for Teaching Excellence, June 2007.

·        Nomination for the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, June 2006.

·        Nomination for the W. F. Homiller Award for Teaching Excellence, June 2006.

·        Nomination for the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, June 2005.

·        Honorable Mention for Excellence in Teaching, University of Maryland, March 1999.

·        Fellowship from the Ministry of Science and Technology , Yugoslavia 1993.

·        First prizes for achievement during studies, University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

·        First prize for an undergraduate project in algebra , University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 1991.

·        Government fellowship for talented undergraduate students , Yugoslavia, 1991.

 

GRANTS AND FUNDING

 

Awarded:

·        Visiting Scientists Fellowship Program grant from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Original: Konuk Bilim İnsani Destekleme Programi, Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu). Submission date: December 20, 2010.

·        Committee of Andalucia, Council of Innovation, Science and Company incentives for realization of activities of scientific and technical nature at universities and investigation institutions. (Originally: Junta de Andalucia, Consejería de innovación, ciencia y empresa, Incentivos para la realización de actividades de carácter científico y técnico de las universidades y organismos de investigación). Date: September 10, 2009.

·        Grants aimed to researchers. Foreign researchers' short stays at the University of Málaga (Originally: Ayuda a los investigadores. Estancias breves de investigadores extranjeros en la Universidad de Málaga). Date: September 10, 2009.

·        Grant from the Ministry of Education of Spain for subsidy of visiting professors and post-doctoral students of mentionable quality who are willing to give a course at a master's level. Targeted institution: University of Málaga. Originally: Solicitud de subvención para la movilidad de profesores en doctorados con mención de calidad. Date: November 8, 2009.

·       NSF-AWM Travel Grants program. Submission Date: May 8, 2008.

·       Summer research salary support, USP, 2007, awarded 6 of 8 weeks.

·       Summer research salary support, USP, 2006, awarded 8 of 8 weeks.

·       Summer research salary support, USP, 2005, awarded 8 of 8 weeks.

·       Summer research salary support, USP, 2004, awarded 6 of 8 weeks.

·       Summer research salary support, USP, 2003, awarded 4 of 8 weeks.

 

 

Submitted (not funded):

 

·        NSF-AWM Travel Grants program. Submission Date: May 1, 2006.

·        NSF, unit DMS, program ANTC. Proposal title: Rings of operators, rings of quotients, and clean rings. Submission Date: October 4, 2005. Proposal submitted for consideration as RUI activity.

·        NSF-AWM Travel Grants program. Submission Date: May 1, 2005.

·        NSF-AWM Travel Grants program. Submission Date: February 1, 2005.  



CONFERENCES AND TALKS

Talks:

1.      Invited speaker at Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, July 2011.

2.      International Conference on Algebra, Topology and Topological Algebras, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico, January 2011.

3.      X Days of Ring Theory, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, April 2010.

4.      Invited speaker at the University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain, March 2010.

5.      Invited speaker at Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 2009.

6.      Noncommutative rings and their applications, Faculté Jean Perrin, Lens, France, June 29 – July 2, 2009.

7.      AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, Section on Noncommutative Algebra, Washington, DC, January 5 – 9, 2009.

8.      Southern Regional Algebra Conference, Univ. of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, September 26 – 28, 2008.

9.      International Conference on Ring and Module Theory, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, August 18 – 22, 2008. Travel funded by NSF-AWM Travel Grants program.

10. Conference on Algebra and its Applications, Ohio University, Athens, OH, June 18 – 21, 2008. Travel funded by NSF-AWM Travel Grants program.

11. The Fifth China-Japan-Korea International Symposium on Ring Theory, Tokyo, Japan, September 10 – 15, 2007.

12.  Invited speaker at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, July 20, 2007.

13.  International Conference on Rings and Things, Ohio University, Zanesville, OH, June 15 – 17, 2007.

14. Communications on Research Efforts (CORE) initiative session, Univ. of the Sciences in Philadelphia,  April 3, 2007

15. Noncommutative Algebra, Satellite of International Congress of Mathematician, Granada, Spain, August 29 - September 6, 2006. 

16. The Second Joint Meeting of AMS, DMV, and OMG, session for Modules and Comodules, Mainz, Germany, June 16 - 19, 2005.

17. Conference on Algebra and Its Applications, Center for Ring Theory and its Applications, Ohio University, Athens, OH, March 22 - 26, 2005.

18. Ferrara Algebra Workshop, Ferrara, Italy, June 16 -19, 2004.

19. Spring Speaker, Department of Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Statistics, Univ. of the Sciences in Philadelphia, April 20, 2004. 

20. Algebras, Modules and Rings, Lisbon, Portugal, July, 2003.

21. Table Talks, Univ. of the Sciences in Philadelphia, October 2003.

22. Novi Sad Summer Conference, Novi Sad, July 2002.

23. Women in Mathematics, seminar series, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, November 1999.

24. Annual Conference of Yugoslav Mathematicians, Petrovac, Yugoslavia, May 1995.

25. 9th and 10th Conference on Applied Mathematics, University of Novi Sad, Budva, Yugoslavia, May 1995 and May 1994.

Poster presentations:

·        Scholarly Day, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, April 2009, April 2008, April 2007, April 2006, April 2005.

·        Posters on Learning Centered Practices, Teaching and Learning Center of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, May 2006, May 2005, May 2003.

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meeting, New Orleans, AWM Workshop: Women Graduate Student Poster Session, January 2000.

Participant:

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, Boston, MA, January 2012.

·        EPADEL of MAA, spring section meeting, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, March 28, 2009.

·        EPADEL of MAA, fall section meeting, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, November 19, 2005. Advised 4 students in preparing their presentations.

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, Atlanta, GA, January 2005.

·        EPADEL of MAA, fall section meeting, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, November 6, 2004.  

·        Dialog 2004: NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Mathematical Sciences Community, Washington, DC, April 30 - May 1, 2004.

·        Geometry and Analysis on Manifolds, Dept. of Math, Ohio State University, March 26 - 28, 2004.

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD, January 2003.

·        Professional Development Workshop on the Learning Centered Environment, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, August 2002.

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, San Diego, CA, January 2002.

·        Graduate Research Conference "Spotlight on Graduate Research", Univ. of Maryland, College Park, November 2000.

·        5th Annual Geometry Festival, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, April 2000.

·        AMS Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington, DC, January 2000.

·        Tempus Summer School for Algebraic and Computational Methods in Computer Science, Budapest, Hungary, July 1994.

·        16th Algebraic Conference, Szeged, Hungary, August 1993.

 

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

 

1. Reviewer.

            Mathematical Reviews (MathSciNet)

            Hacettepe Journal of Mathematics and Statistics

            Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society

            Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society

            Glasgow Mathematical Journal

            Acta Mathematica Universitatis Comenianae

Proceedings of the International Conference on Ring and Module Theory, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, August 18 – 22, 2008.

Selcuk Journal of Applied Mathematics

Journal of Applied Mathematics and Informatics

 

 

2. External Examiner of Ph.D. Thesis of Miquel Brustenga i Bort, Universitat Autònoma de             Barcelona, July 2007.

 

3. Student Research Projects. The research projects below were presented at Scholarly Day, held annually in April at the University of the Sciences at Philadelphia.

·        D. Vladimir Perez, Whelton A. Miller III, Preston Moore, “Computational Method of Calculating the Surface area of Nanostructures”, 2009.

·        Timothy P. Enright, “A geometric definition of the cross product and its generalization in higher dimensions”, 2008.

·        David Ezdon, “An Approach to the Calculation of Enthalpy using Matrices”, 2007.

·        Anthony Cuozzo, “Two Portable π Algorithms for use in Technical Calculations”, 2007.

·        Richard Remsing, Rachel Slack, “Using methods of Calculus 3 to derive Calculus 2 formulas”, 2006.

·        Kate Beishline, Raeanne Napoleon, “Three software implementations of a numerical calculation of the H+ ion concentration for a Polyprotic Acid”, 2005. 

 

4. Curriculum Development and Teaching Innovations. The outcomes of these activities are summarized in seven Documents of Innovations published by USP in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

·      Created ``Differential Geometry" (MA430) in 2010.

·      Revised the course and introduced technology component to ``Differential Equations" (MA320) in 2009.

·      Created ``Mathematical Modeling" (MA422) in 2007.

·      Created ``Topics in Mathematics with Applications to Chemistry'' (MA360) in 2004. This course focuses on topics from mathematics that are used in chemistry and is aimed to chemistry majors. It unites different areas of mathematics rarely presented together in the same course.

·        Introduced reformed calculus ideas and MATLAB to calculus courses at USP, 2003. This was the first time that a computer application for mathematical calculations was incorporated in the curriculum at USP. MATLAB was used in Calculus 2 and 3 courses 2003 – present, in Calculus 1 course 2006 – present, and in Mathematical Modeling course 2008 – present.

·        Expanded the topics of a freshman class by relating biology and mathematics.

 

5. Professional Organizations. Member of:

·        American Mathematical Society

·        Association for Women in Mathematics

 

6. Professional Development.

·        Invited visitor at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, August 3 – 13, 2009.

·        Speaker at “Communications on Increasing Research Efforts”, series two, USP, April 3, 2007.

·        Presenting at the Faculty Enrichment week, USP, January 2007.

·        Presenting at “Table Talks”, USP, October 2003. 

·        Participating in Teaching Workshops, USP.

·        Spring Speaker of the MPCS Department, USP, April 2004.

·        Panelist at the University of Pennsylvania's “11th Annual Faculty Conversations on the Academic Job Search and Academic Life”, January 31, 2006.



TEACHING EXPERIENCE


1. Teaching at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
     
      MA 101, Mathematical Analysis I; fall semesters 2002 – 2007, 2009
      MA 101 Honors, Mathematical Analysis I; fall 2004     
      MA 102, Mathematical Analysis II; spring semesters 2003 – 2008
      MA 102 Honors, Mathematical Analysis I; spring  2005
      MA 201, Mathematical Analysis III; fall semesters 2002 – 2008, 2010 – 2011     

MA 202, Mathematical Analysis IV; spring semesters 2003 – 2009, 2011 – 2012

MA 320, Differential Equations; fall semesters 2009 - 2011  
MA 360, Topics in Mathematics with Application to Chemistry; spring 2005, fall 2005, spring 2007, spring 2009

MA 422, Mathematical Modeling; spring 2008, spring 2009, spring 2011, spring 2012

MA 430, Differential Geometry (490 in 2011); spring 2011, spring 2012

Mathematics Course Coordinator: spring 2005 – spring 2009, fall 2011 – present.

       
2. Teaching at the University of Maryland:

  • Instructor:
    Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers (with Matlab) spring 2001.
    Elementary Calculus I     (mostly for science majors); summer 2000.
    Calculus II     (mostly for majors in computer science and engineering); summer 1999.
  • Teaching Assistant:
    Introduction to Linear Algebra; fall 2000 and spring 1999. Traditional problem sessions involving projects in Matlab.
    Calculus I, Calculus II; spring 1998 and fall 1998. Traditional problem sessions involving usage of programmable graphing calculators.
    Calculus I, Calculus II; fall 1997 and spring 1997. Ran innovative group-learning workshops of Close Contact Calculus, in which students worked in small groups on comprehensive worksheets, extensively using programmable graphing calculators. Graded worksheets and exams.
  • Grader:
    Algebraic Topology (graduate course); spring 2000.
    Introduction to Abstract Algebra (undergraduate course); spring 2000.
    Abstract Algebra I (graduate course); fall 1999.
    Fundamental Concepts of Topology (graduate course); fall 1999.

2. Online Tutoring:

Smarthinking, Inc. (http://www.smarthinking.com), a provider of online academic support for post-secondary institutions, September 2000-present.

3. Teaching Assistant at the University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia:

Multivariable calculus with complex analysis for majors in electrical engineering; fall 1994, spring 1995, fall 1995 and spring 1996.

Multivariable calculus for majors in civil engineering; fall 1995.

Boolean algebra and discrete mathematics; spring 1995 and spring 1996.

Algebraic structures for majors in electrical engineering; spring 1994 and fall 1994.

Calculus I and II for majors in mechanical engineering; fall 1993 and spring 1994.

4. Teaching high school students:

Invited speaker at the Petnica Science Center, Petnica, Yugoslavia, March 1996 and July 1995.

Teacher at "Svetozar Miletic" high school in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, September 1993.

 

SERVICE AT USP

 

1. Advising

 

·        Advisor of student posters for Scholarly Day, spring 2005, spring 2006, spring 2007, spring 2008.

·        Advisor of students' presentations at EPADEL meeting, fall 2005. 

·        Advisor for minors in mathematics, fall 2003 – spring 2009.

 

2. Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science service

 

·        Coordinator of Mathematics Courses, spring 2005 – spring 2009, fall 2011 – present.  

·        Chair of Applied Mathematics Faculty Search Committee, fall 2011 - spring 2012.  

·        Chair of Committee for Development of Applied Mathematics/Statistics Major, spring 2006 - present.  

·        Two new faculty members search committee, fall 2004 - spring 2005

 

3. USP and MCAS Service

 

·        W. F. Homiller Award for Teaching Excellence Committee, 2007 – present.

·        Faculty Council Curriculum Committee, chair, fall 2006 – spring 2007.

·        Department Chair Search Committee, fall 2005 – spring 2006.

·        Faculty Council Nominations Committee, fall 2005 – spring 2006.

·        MCAS Nominations Committee, fall 2005 – spring 2006.

·        Working group for developing learning outcomes, strategies for achieving the outcomes, and assessment measures for the General Education area of Technology, fall 2005, appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

·        Faculty Council Nominations Committee, fall 2004 - spring 2005.

·        MCAS Nominations Committee, fall 2004 - spring 2005.   

·        Executive Council Liaison for the Commencement Prizes Committee, fall 2003 - spring 2004.

·        Commencement Prizes Committee, fall 2003 - spring 2004.

·        Executive Council Committee, fall 2003 - spring 2004.



LANGUAGES

English: fluent (written and spoken)

French, Spanish, Russian: scientific reading. Native: Serbian.



COMPUTER SKILLS

LaTeX, Matlab, Wndows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Link Systems online whiteboard (with Smarthinking customization).