CNSM Research Snapshots

Learn about our faculty research and keep up with the newest information on our laboratories.

New CNSM laboratories are featured monthly! If you would like your lab to be featured, please reach out to the CNSM Associate Dean for Research.

Dr. Antonio Martinez

December 2024 Snapshot

Antonio Martinez Lab group
Assistant Professor Antonio Martinez with graduate student researcher Gabriel Fanucchi.

Dr. Antonio Martinez is an assistant professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department. Dr. Martinez and his student researchers study the intersection of how mathematicians and computer scientists approach complex computational problems.

Encompassing topics like logic, set theory, number theory, combinatorics, iteration, recursion, graph theory and more, students on Dr. Martinez's research team aim to gain insight into how computer science students and mathematics students approach similar problems differently.

One aim of this work is to identify effective cognitive strategies within each discipline, with the broader goal of interdisciplinary learning and enhanced quality of mathematics education.

Learn more about Dr. Antonio Martinez and his work.

Dr. Martinez and student discussing math problem on whiteboard
Dr. Martinez and graduate student, Gabriel Fanucchi, working through the solution of a discrete mathematics problem focused on the idea of iteration.
Graduate student Gabriel Fanucchi discussing a math topic
Graduate student, Gabriel Fanucchi, discussing the importance of studying computational thinking to inform mathematics education.
Dr. Martinez and student discussing results on computer
Dr. Martinez reviewing solution strategies to the assessment protocol they administered to their study participants.

Previous Snapshots

Here are the most recently featured snapshots.

Alyssa Abbey Lab group

Dr. Alyssa Abbey

November 2024 Snapshot

Research by students in Dr. Alyssa Abbey's laboratory focuses on understanding long-term changes in landscapes and what factors lead to those changes, from tectonic activity to climate change. By dating when faults start moving, how fast they move and how long they are active, Dr. Abbey and her students can examine how growing mountains change river routes and mammal migration patterns.

Johnson Lab group

Dr. Darren Johnson

October 2024 Snapshot

Research students in the Johnson Lab study how changes in ocean temperature and pH alter patterns of natural selection and measure the genetic capacity for fish populations to evolve. The lab aims to better understand how climate change may threaten our fish populations, including understanding if fish larvae may become more tolerant of some climate change conditions.

Tian Lab group

Dr. Fangyuan Tian

September 2024 Snapshot

Research students in the Tian Laboratory focus materials on a chemical level. They work to understand the surface and interface chemistry of solid materials, with a goal of designing biocompatible coatings that can do a variety of things, including methane capture and drug delivery.