CURRICULUM VITAE
Thomas William Polaski
Professor of Mathematics
Department of Mathematics
Winthrop University
Rock Hill SC 29733
polaskit@winthrop.edu

Education:

• Ph.D. in Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1991.
  Dissertation Title: Estimates for Differences and Harnack's Inequality for Functions Harmonic with Respect to Random Walks.
  Advisor: Gregory F. Lawler.
  
• M.A. in Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1988.
  
• B.S. in Mathematics summa cum laude, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, 1986.

Courses Taught:

Precalculus Mathematics, Introductory College Mathematics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Honors Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Calculus III, Honors Calculus III, Calculus IV, Honors Calculus IV, Real Analysis I, Elements of Set Theory and Introduction to Topology, Probability and Statistics I, Probability and Statistics II, Introduction to Stochastic Processes, Measure Theory I, Measure Theory II, Measure-Theoretic Probability.

Research Interests:

Stochastic Processes, Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Modelling, Use of Technology in Mathematics Education.

Books and Supplementary Materials Published:

• Instructor's 48-G Manual. Supplement to Linear Algebra and its Applications by David C. Lay. Second Edition. Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1999.
  
• Case studies and exercise sets to accompany Linear Algebra and its Applications by David C. Lay. Updated Second Edition. Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1999.
  
• Part III of Graphing Calculator Manual. Supplement to Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications by Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, and Charles D. Miller. Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1998.
  
• One chapter (Matrices and Determinants) in College Algebra. Glasgow: WeeHowf, 1998.

Articles Published:

• Extraneous Solutions and Graphing Calculators (with R. Goolsby). The Mathematics Teacher 90(1997):718-720.
  
• Multi-Section Scheduling for Retention and Remediation (with R. Goolsby). PRIMUS 7:106-114 (1997).
  
• A Computer Program for the Double Variation Method (with J. Hollifield). MircoNotes 1(1997) no.1.
  
• Harnack Inequalities and Difference Estimates for Random Walks with Infinite Range (with G. Lawler). Journal of Theoretical Probability 6:781-802 (1993).
  
• On the Critical Exponent for Random Walk Intersections (with K. Burdzy and G. Lawler). Journal of Statistical Physics 56:1-12 (1989).

Software Published:

• Software package LALG which accompanies the Instructor's 48-G Manual, a supplement to Linear Algebra and its Applications by David C. Lay.

Papers Presented:

• "'The Private History of a Reform that Failed:' College Algebra and Student Readiness." Joint Mathematics Meetings, New Orleans, Louisiana. January 10-13, 2001.
  
• "Branching Processes in Varying Environment and a Carcinogenesis Model." Joint Mathematics Meetings, Washington, District of Columbia. January 19-22, 2000.
  
• "A Step Beyond: Using Case Studies in Linear Algebra." Twelfth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, San Francisco, California, November 4-7, 1999.
  
• "Conics and the TI-92.'' Eleventh Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 19-22, 1998.
  
• "How Foggy is it? Writing Assignments and Assessment in Linear Algebra.'' Seventh Conference of the International Linear Algebra Society, Madison, Wisconsin, June 3-6, 1998.
  
• "Visualizing Linear Transformations on the HP-48G.'' Joint Mathematics Meetings, Orlando, Florida. January 12, 1996.
  
• "A Segment Approach to College Mathematics Classes.'' Joint Mathematics Meetings, Orlando, Florida. January 12, 1996.
  
• "Technology-Based Writing in Linear Algebra.'' Eighth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Houston, Texas, November 18, 1995.
  
• "Laboratory Exercises with Difference Equations.'' Joint Mathematics Meetings, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 13, 1994.

Workshops Presented:

• "Teaching Linear Algebra Using the HP-48G.'' Ninth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Reno, Nevada, November 9, 1996.

Other Conference Participation:

• ATLAST (Augmenting the Teaching of Linear Algebra through the use of Software Tools) Workshop Developer's Conference, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, August 13-16, 1996. Attendance by invitation. Developed materials to aid colleagues who desire to incorporate technology into their linear algebra courses.
  
• AMS-SIAM Summer Seminar on the Mathematics of Random Media, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, May 29 - June 9, 1989.

Reviews Published in Mathematical Reviews:

• Bernabei, M. S., Boldrighini, C., Minlos, R. A., and Pellegrinotti, A. Almost-sure central limit theorem for a model of random walk in fluctuating random environment. Markov Process. Related Fields, 4(1998), no.3, 381-393.
  
• Bernabei, M. S. and Boldrighini, C. Random walks in fluctuating random media. Markov Processes Relat. Fields, 2(1996), no.3, 401-426.
  
• Boivin, Daniel. Weak convergence for reversible random walks in a random environment. Ann. Probab., 21(1993), no.3, 1427-1440.
  
• Boldrighini, C., Ignatyuk, I. A., Malyshev, V. A., and Pellegrinotti, A. Random walk in dynamic environment with mutual influence. Stochastic Process. Appl., 41(1992) no.1, 157-177. (accepted authors' abstract)
  
• Boldrighini, C., Minlos, R. A., and Pellegrinotti, A. Asymptotic decay of correlations for a fluctuating environment in interaction with a two-particle random walk. Boll. Un. Mat. Ital. B (7), 10(1996), no.2, 277-302.
  
• Bolthausen, Erwin and Schmock, Uwe. On self-attracting d-dimensional random walks. Ann Probab., 25(1997), no.2, 531-572. (accepted authors' abstract)
  
• Brydges, D. C. and Slade, G. The diffusive phase of a model of self-interacting walks. Probab. Theory Related Fields, 105(1995), no.3, 285-315.
  
• Buffet, E. and Hannigan, P. Directed random walks in random environments. J. Statist. Phys., 65(1991), no.3-4, 645-672.
  
• Cancrini, N. and Galves, R. Approach to equilibrium in the symmetric simple exclusion process. Markov Process. Related Fields, 1(1995), no.2, 175-184.
  
• Davis, Burgess. Reinforced and perturbed random walks. Random Walks (Budapest, 1998), 113-126, Bolyai Soc. Math. Stud., 9, Janos Bolyai Math. Soc., Budapest, 1999.
  
• Depauw, Jerome. Flux moyen d'un courant electrique dans un reseau aleatoire stationnaire de resistances. Ann. Inst. H. Poincare Probab. Statist., 35(1999), no. 3, 355-370.
  
• Doney, R. A. Spitzer's condition and ladder variables in random walks. Probab. Theory Related Fields} 101(1995), no.4, 577-580.
  
• Greven, Andreas, and den Hollander, Frank. Large deviations for a random walk in random environment. Ann. Probab., 22(1994), no.3, 1381-1428. (accepted authors' abstract)
  
• Grimmett, Geoffrey. Random graphical networks. Networks and Chaos -- Statistical and Probabilistic Aspects, 288-301, Monographs on Statistics and Applied Probability, 50. London: Chapman and Hall, 1993.
  
• Howard, C. Douglas. Orthogonality of measures induced by random walks with scenery. Combin. Probab. Comput., 5(1996), no.3, 247-256.
  
• Khanin, K. M., Mazel, A. E., Schlosman, S. B., and Sinai, Ya. G. Loop condensation effects in the behavior of random walks. The Dynkin Festschrift, 167-184, Progress in Probability Series, 34. Boston: Birkauser, 1994.
  
• Landim, C. and Vares, M. E. Equilibrium fluctuations for exclusion processes with speed change. Stochastic Process. Appl., 52(1994), no.1, 107-118.
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. Intersection probabilities for random walks. Mathematics of Random Media (Blacksburg, VA, 1989), 73-85, Lectures in Appl. Math., 27, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 1991.
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. Cut times for simple random walk. Electron. J. Probab., 1(1996), no.13, approx. 24 pp. (electronic).
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. Loop-erased walks intersect infinitely often in four dimensions. Electron. Comm. Probab., 3(1998), 35-42 (electronic).
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. A lower bound on the growth exponent for loop-erased random walk in two dimensions. ESIAM Probab. Statist., 3(1999), 1-21 (electronic).
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. and Puckette, Emily E. The disconnection exponent for simple random walk. Israel J. Math., 99(1997), 109-121.
  
• Lawler, Gregory F. and Werner, Wendelin. Intersection exponents for planar Brownian motion. Ann. Probab., 27(1999), no.4, 1601-1642.
  
• Marchal, Philippe. Loop-erased random walks, spanning trees, and Hamiltonian cycles. Electron. Comm. Probab., 5(2000), 39-50 (electronic).
  
• Madras, Neal and Schinazi, Rinaldo. Branching random walks on trees.  Stochastic Proc. Appl., 42(1992), no.2, 255-267.
  
• Mountford, T. S. The critical value for some nonattractive long range nearest particle systems. Probab. Theory Related Fields, 93(1992), no.1, 67-76.
  
• Port, Sidney C. Theoretical Probability for Applications. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1994.
  
• Shimura, Michio. Exit probability of two-dimensional random walk from the quadrant. Proc. Japan Acad. Ser. A Math. Sci., 75(1999), no. 3, 39-42.
  
• Stadje, W. A note on the maximum of a random walk. Statist. Probab. Lett., 23(1995), no.3, 227-231.
  
• Toth, Balint and Werner, Wendelin. The true self-repelling motion. Probab. Theory Related Fields, 111(1998), no.3, 375-452.

Grants and Honors:

• Outstanding Junior Professor Award, Winthrop University, 1997.
  
• Nominee for Outstanding Junior Professor Award, Winthrop University, 1996.
  
• Nominee for Phi Kappa Phi Excellence in Teaching Award, Winthrop Univeristy, 1995 and 1996.
  
• Visiting Lecturer for the Mathematical Association of America, 1995 - 1999.
  
• Research Council Grant, "On the Incorporation of Technology into Linear Algebra Instruction,'' Winthrop University, 1992.
  
• L.P. and Barbara J. Smith award for excellence in teaching, Mathematics Department, Duke University, 1989.
  
• Phi Beta Kappa, 1985 - Present.

Professional Organizations:

• American Mathematical Society, 1986 - Present.
  
• Mathematical Association of America, 1988- Present.
  
• Institute of Mathematical Statistics, 1991 - Present.
  
• American Association of University Professors, 1991 - Present.
  
• Association for Women in Mathematics, 1994 - Present.
  
• International Linear Algebra Society, 1996 - Present.

Consulting:

• Southeastern Liquid Analyzers, Inc., York, South Carolina, 1992-1993. Interpreted EPA protocols for use in determining underground oil tank leak rates.
  
• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Columbia, South Carolina, 1992 -1993. Developed computer code to calculate refractive index of glass samples.

Professional and University Service:

• Reviewer, Mathematical Reviews, 1992 - Present. Examined 34 books or articles for possible inclusion in this publication; wrote reviews of 30 of these (see above).
  
• Faculty Consultant, Advanced Placement Calculus Reading, 1994 - 2000. Assisted in grading the Advanced Placement Calculus Examinations.
  
• Faculty Representative to Attend Student Senate Meetings, Winthrop University, 1991 - 1992. Attended student government meetings.
  
• Faculty Concerns Committee, Winthrop University, 1993 - 1996. Collected concerns of the faculty and discussed them with the President.
  
• General Education Committee, Winthrop University, 1994 - 1996. Debated proposed changes in the general education curriculum, and helped to develop a matrix by which general education courses could be assessed.
  
• Library Committee, Winthrop University, 1995 - 1998. Discussed various aspects of the Winthrop University Library. Chair of the Committee 1996 - 1997.
  
• Math/Science Annex Dedication Committee, Winthrop University, 1996. Planned and executed the groundbreaking exercise for the Math/Science annex.
  
• Academic Strategic Plan Committee, Winthrop University, 1996 - 1998. Discussed and formulated the academic portions of the University's strategic plan.
  
• Parliamentarian, Graduate Faculty Assembly, Winthrop University, 1996 - 1997.
  
• Honors Committee, Winthrop University, 1997 - 1999. Discussed and developed possible changes to the University Honors Program.
  
• Academic Council, Winthrop University, 1997 - 2000: Discussed and approved changes to University policies and curriculum.
  
• Institutional Self-Study Steering Committee, Winthrop University, 1998 - Present: discussed and implemented the initial phases of the self-study necessary for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  
• Undergraduate Program Self-Study Committee, Winthrop University, 1998 - Present: developed initial responses as to compliance with selected portions of the criteria for accreditation; prepared a list of needed resources.
  
• Professor Awards Committee, Winthrop University, 1998 - 2000: Aided in the selection of the Distinguished Professor and Outstanding Junior Professor.
  
• Committee on Budget Priorities, Winthrop University, 1998 - 2000: Collected and analyzed University budget data; developed list of suggestions for spending of unallocated revenue.
  
• Committee on Undergraduate Instruction, Winthrop University, 1998 - 2000: discussed and approved University-wide curricular changes. Chair of the Committee: 1998-2000.
  
• Curriculum Committee, College of Arts and Sciences, 1992 - 1994. Debated proposed changes in the Arts and Sciences curriculum and judged student petitions. Secretary to the Committee, 1993 - 1994.
  
• Secretary, College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Assembly, 1995 - 1996. Responsible for producing minutes of each Assembly meeting.
  
• Curriculum Committee, Department of Mathematics, 1992 - Present. Helped to restructure the mathematics curriculum; rewrote all course descriptions in Mathematics.
  
• Statistics Committee, Department of Mathematics, 1993 - 1998. Wrote the proposal for a Concentration in Statistics which was approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
  
• Winthrop-Wylie Tournament Committee, Department of Mathematics, 1991 - 1993. Prepared and collated test questions.
  
• Mathematics 101 Committee, Department of Mathematics, 1993 - 1998. Helped to develop and implement the department's component approach to this course.
  
• Secretary, American Association of University Professors, Winthrop University Chapter, 1992 - Present.

Student Service:

• Faculty Advisor, Winthrop Math Club, 1991 - 1999.
  
• Judge, Winthrop University Model United Nations, 1993, 1994, 1995.

Undergraduate Talks Given:

• "Population Models and Chaos,'' Mathematics and Computer Science Colloquium, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, Georgia, May, 1998.
  
• "Questions on Simple Random Walk,'' Math Coffee, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina, March, 1998.
  
• "The Mathematics of Postal Codes,'' Kappa Mu Epsilon induction ceremony, Winthrop University, March, 1996.
  
• "Polyhedra: Plato, Euler, and Descartes,'' Senior Seminar in Mathematics, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, October, 1994.
  
• "Difference Equations and Linear Algebra,'' Senior Seminar in Mathematics, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, October, 1993.
  
• "Basins of Attraction and Chaos,'' Senior Seminar in Mathematics, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, October, 1992.
  
• "The Unusual Number Phi,'' Kappa Mu Epsilon induction ceremony, Winthrop University, March 1992.
  
• "Fluctuations in Coin-Tossing and Random Walk,'' Senior Seminar in Mathematics, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, October 1991.

Community Service:

• Member, Board of Directors, Baptist House of Studies at Duke University, 1997-2001. Secretary to the Board, 1999-2001.
  
• Member, Board of Directors, Ten Thousand Villages Charlotte, 1997-2002. Secretary to the Board, 1997-2002.
  
• Local Arrangements Co-Chair, Southeastern Section Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America, Charlotte, North Carolina, 2000.
  
• Local Arrangements Coordinator, Alliance of Baptists National Convocation, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1996.
  
• Moderator, Wedgewood Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1999-2002.
  
• Co-Chair, Board of Deacons, Wedgewood Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1999-2001.