Graduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech, Mining & Minerals Engineering
Bio
I am a passionate and driven mathemetician, computer scientist and manager. Through my diverse professional experience, I have a honed a unique skillset that allows me to be comfortable researching complex computational mathematics and engineering problems and communicating that research in both a strategic and technical manner.
Experience
-
Present 2115
-
2015 2010
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Virginia Tech, Department of Mathematics
-
2010 2006
Manager of Operations, FormWorks
SUNGARD
-
2006 2001
Systems Engineer
RRI/SUNGARD
-
1999 1995
Engineering Laboratory Technician and Log Room Yeoman
United States Navy, USS Boise (SSN 764)
Education & Training
-
Ph.D. May 2016 (Anticipated)
Ph.D. in Mathematics
Virginia Tech
-
M.S. 2012
Master of Science in Mathematics
Virginia Tech
-
B.S. 2001
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Virginia Tech
Honors and Awards
-
Spring 2014Nominated - University Graduate Student Teaching Excellence AwardVirginia Tech
Nominated by the Department of Mathematics for the annual award given to top graduate teaching assistant in an instructor of record position.
-
Spring 2013Department Award for Outstanding Teaching by a GTAVirginia Tech, Department of Mathematics
Given annually to the top graduate teaching assistant assigned as a teacher of record in the department, this award is based on student evaluations, faculty observations and student performance.
-
May 2001Upsilon Pi Epsilon Outstanding Graduating SeniorVirginia Tech, Department of Computer Science
-
May 2000Lee R. and Regina Aultice Steeneck AwardVirginia Tech, College of Arts and Sciences
Given annually to the top graduating senior in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics
-
May 2000George M. Gorsline AwardVirginia Tech, Department of Computer Science
Given annually to the most improved graduating senior in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.
-
2001 - PresentPhi Beta Kappa Honor FraternityVirginia Tech
Inducted Spring 2001.
-
2001 - PresentPhi Kappa Phi Honor FraternityVirginia Tech
Inducted Spring 2001.
-
2000 - PresentGolden Key Honor FraternityVirginia Tech
Inducted Fall 2000.
Student Leadership
-
Fall 2015 - PresentCo-President, Association for Women in Mathematics Student ChapterVirginia Tech
-
Fall 2013 - Spring 2014Teaching Certification MentorVirginia Tech
Mentored new graduate students through the departmental teaching certification process. Instructed on the design of lesson plans and improvements for lecture presentation.
-
Fall 2012 - Spring 2014Senior Graduate Teaching AssistantVirginia Tech, Department of Mathematics
Job duties included acting as a mentor to fellow graduate students, organizing seminars for professional development and teaching improvement, running a peer mentor program for graduate teaching assistants, and assisting with the recruitment and orientation of new graduate teaching assistants.
-
Fall 2012 - Fall 2014GTA Workshop Phase II Session LeaderVirginia Tech
Helped lead a workshop each fall titled "Teaching Confidence" aimed at instilling confidence in teachers allowing them to create confident learners.
-
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012Vice President of Research, SIAM Student ChapterVirginia Tech
Research Summary
Efficient real-time computational solutions for large-scale dynamical systems are critical in many areas such as control systems, prediction algorithms, decision-making tools, and stochastic algorithms, to name a few. These systems arise from mathematical partial differential equation models for many of the biological and physical processes of concern. Simplifications to the model domain, physics, or computational resolution often lead to computationally tractable solutions at the expense of model accuracy. In order to reduce the computational demands while maintaining the accuracy of the model, we look to mathematical model order reduction. In particular, these methods retain the underlying physics of the problem while allowing for much faster computational times for the models.
My research has focused on model reduction for large-scale nonlinear dynamical systems. For example, we have looked at ways to create input-independent model order reduction techniques. We have also looked at ways to extend the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique by combining it with input-independent rational Krylov methods. We are also investigating methods of operator splitting in order to tackle the linear and nonlinear methods separately and more efficiently
Far from operating in a mathematical vacuum, we have actively sought real-world applications for these model reduction techniques. For example, we have applied this to building and mine airflow models, mine fire models, wildland fire models, and reaction kinetics models. The exciting aspect of this research is its applicability to so many different types of models.
Interests
- Nonlinear model reduction
- Control of reduced order models
- Computationally efficient fire models
- Numerical linear algebra
- Computational mathematics
- Numerical Analysis
Research Advisors
Kray Luxbacher
Associate Professor
Mining & Minerals Engineering, Virginia Tech
GRA Advisor
+ FollowAmazing Mentors
I have been very fortunate in my academic career to work with exceptional mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. As an applied mathematician, I find that collaboration with knowledgeable experts across disciplines is instrumental to project success. These mentors have taught me not only aspects of their own research, but how to work together to solve problems that are beyond the capacity of one person to address.
Research Projects
Teaching
At its core, teaching is simply the transfer of knowledge from one person to another. However, exceptional teaching occurs when one considers all the factors, both internal and external to the classroom, that affect the instructor’s ability to transfer that knowledge. Each semester I am assigned a course and given the task to teach mathematics to a group of students; more importantly, I am actually given the opportunity to shape the arc of learning for each of my students. If I cultivate a student’s thirst for knowledge, and develop a student’s confidence in learning, then the transfer of knowledge becomes simple. Further, by focusing teaching on the student, instead of the information itself, the student often undergoes a significant paradigm shift from passive to active learner that extends beyond the course that I am teaching.
Throughout my time as a graduate teaching assistant, I have had the opportunity to be the instructor of record for many different courses, ranging from the freshmen to senior undergraduate level. Further the class sizes have ranged from small classes of just a few students up to lectures given to as many 75 students. This varied experience has helped me to hone my skills as a teacher and motivator. These courses have allowed me the opportunity to create lesson plans, homework assignment, and tests. I have experience grading and assigning grades. Most importantly, it has given me a chance to work with students directly during office hours and help session. Because of this experience, I am a seasoned teacher prepared to teach at all levels of a college curriculum
Courses Taught as the Instructor of Record
Developed course contracts, determined classroom administrative policies, wrote homework assignments, prepared detailed lecture notes, wrote all tests and exams, assisted students during office hours, and assigned course grades for the following courses:
-
Fall 2014Math 1226: Calculus II, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 5.62/6.00
- Topics of study included integration applications in physics, engineering, and statistics, advanced integration techniques, sequences and series, applications of power series, basic vector calculus.
- Worked with course coordinator to improve the newly created course.
-
Fall 2014Math 137: College Algebra, Radford UniversityStudent Teaching Evaluation: 4.34/5.00
- Topics of study include basic properties of numbers systems, equations and inequalities, systems of equations, functions and graphs, polynomials and rational functions, exponentials and logarithms.
-
Sum 2014Math 4574: Vector and Complex Analysis, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 5.92/6
- Topics of study included differential and integral calculus of vector functions, algebra of complex numbers, differential and integral calculus of complex functions.
- Developed and implemented a detailed course syllabus based on a broad outline of topics to be covered. This included selecting appropriate textbooks and reading materials, and creating homework assignments using several sources.
-
Spr 2014Math 114: Math and Society, Radford UniversityStudent Teaching Evaluation: 4.28/5.00
- Topics of study included scientific notation, basic algebraic functions and their solutions, basic finance, and basic statistics to include mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation.
-
2013-2014Math 2224: Multi-variable Calculus, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluations: 5.30/6 (Fall 2013), 5.36/6 (Spring 2014)
- Topics of study included differential calculus of multi-variable functions, integral calculus and applications of multi-variable functions, sequences and series.
-
Sum 2013Math 4446: Numerical Analysis, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 6.00/6.00
- Topics of study included the analysis of interpolation theory, numerical differentiation, numerical integration, numerical techniques for solving ordinary differential equations.
- Wrote a software suite for the students to use in the analysis of various numerical computation techniques.
-
2011-2013Math 1205: Differential Calculus, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 5.55/6 (2011), 5.27/6 (2012), 5.67/6 (2013)
- Topics of study included limits, continuity, differentiation, and applications of differentiation of functions of a single variable.
-
Sum 2012Math 2214: Differential Equations, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 6.00/6.00
- Topics of study included techniques for solving first and second order ordinary differential equations, methods for solving coupled systems of differential equations.
-
Spr 2012Math 1206: Integral Calculus, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 5.42/6.00
- Topics of study included integration, applications of integrals, and transcendental functions.
Other Teaching Experience
-
2010-2011Math 1224: Vector Geometry, Virginia TechStudent Teaching Evaluation: 3.72/4.00 (Fall 2010), 3.62/4.00 (Spring 2011)
- Topics of study included vector operations in two and three dimensions, basic vector calculus, and projectile motion.
-
1993-1995Staff Instructor, NPTU Idaho, Naval Research Facility of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory
- Trained over two hundred students on how to operate and maintain a nuclear power plant.
- Provided classroom and hands-on instruction for students.
- Provided radiological controls support as an instrumental member of the plant decommissioning crew.
Professional Experience
I have have been fortunate in my professional career to have had the opportunity to perform a wide variety of jobs. This diverse set of experiences includes training people to run nuclear power plants, being a nuclear chemist, developing high-performance data capture software, managing a group of software developers, and studying computational mathematics. Each of these positions helped shape my professional career in a positive way. Today, I have the technical acumen to perform leading edge computational mathematical research coupled with the social and communication skills to convey how that research can change the world.
I am passionate about my work. I am extremely dedicated to success in whatever job I am currently doing. I set high standards for myself and expect to achieve at that high level. I enjoy the challenge of new job roles and am always willing to take on different tasks as the need arises in a company. However, I am cautious to first understand the history and current state of those roles, before charging forth with a new plan. Once I have taken the time to understand the past and the present, I push confidently forward to the future. I am excited to move forward in the next phase of my professional. Whether I continue in my current research or pursue other exciting endeavors, I am confident that my varied experience has laid the groundwork for future success.
Professional Experience
-
2006-2010Manager of Operations, SUNGARD EXP
- Managed approximately 20 programmers, project managers and trainers to provide high-end data capture and validation software for the health insurance industry.
- Managed a client service book of business with more than $4 million in revenue.
- Grew client services revenue in my division from $1.4 million to $4.3 million with no increase in staff.
- Managed client relations for over 60 data capture clients.
- Assisted in the transition of our product development group to an outsource model in Bangalore, India.
-
2001-2006Systems Engineer, Recognition Research Inc. / SUNGARD EXP
- Customized and deployed large-volume data capture software for the health insurance industry.
- Managed client relationships for three key customers that generated over \$1.5 million in recurring annual revenue and processed almost 200,000 health insurance claims per week through our software.
- Expanded client offerings by rethinking how our software was fundamentally configured. These changes eventually became part of the standard product offering.
-
1995-1999Engineering Laboratory Technician and Log Room Yeoman, United States Navy, USS Boise (SSN 764)
- Maintained chemistry and radiological controls on the submarine's nuclear power plant.
- Designed and managed the program to maintain, update, and control the submarine's confidential material library.
- Developed and administered the submarine qualification program for the ship.
- Reported directly to the Engineering Officer on the maintenance and control of all engineering records including logs, confidential material, and shipboard policies.
Contact & Meet Me
I believe that collaboration and conversation are critical to success in the field of applied computational mathematics. While seemingly outdated in the world of social media, I still feel the most important work is accomplished via one-on-one conversations. If you are curious about my research, intrigued by my teaching, or just want to talk over a cup of coffee, get in touch with me. I would love to have a conversation.
- cell: 540-381-8050
- alan.lattimer@gmail.com
- alattime@vt.edu
- alan.lattimer
- linkedin.com/in/alattimer
- @vtalats
-
130 Somerset Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
At My Office
I have two offices on the campus of Virginia Tech, the Wright House and 463C McBryde Hall. I am almost always in one of those offices from noon to 2:00. I have flexibility to meet at other times, so feel free to contact me and I can meet you at a time and place that is convenient.
I usually work at the Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Mathematics (ICAM), located in the Wright House, during the evenings. If that is the best time for you to meet, let me know.
At the Coffee Shop
I spend every morning at the coffee shop working on my research. I love getting together with people to discuss their current research and to share my work. My favorite times are when the conversations lead to our research being pushed forward because we found new ways to look at our own work. So come grab a cup of coffee with me and let's find some common ground.