Meet our Math Faculty

Stephen Bricher - Professor

Taylor 208
503-883-2260

sbricher@linfield.edu

Education: Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1991. B.A., Mathematics, Linfield College, 1986, Summa cum Laude.

Dr. Bricher's research interests are in the area of nonlinear-partial differential equations, which can be used to model a myriad of physical phenomena. A few examples are: neuron activity, thermal combustion and flame propagation, the microstruture of metals, turbulence and weather patterns. He has published several papers on mathematical problems related to combustion, and has presented his work at national and international mathematics conferences. Dr. Bricher teaches a course in nonlinear differential equations and dynamical systems that prepares students to work with him on collaborative research projects. Projects in the past have culminated in student presentations at national mathematical meetings. He regularly teaches courses in calculus, analysis, differential equations, and probability and mathematical statistics. He advises physics theses and often helps science students with their mathematical questions. Dr. Bricher enjoys advising students that share an interest in mathematics.

Charles Dunn - Professor

Taylor 210
503-883-2273

cdunn@linfield.edu

Education:

Ph.D., Mathematics, Arizona State University; M.S., Mathematics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; B.A., Mathematics & Music, Lewis & Clark College

Dr. Dunn's research interests are in graph theory and combinatorics. In graph theory, he focuses on competitive graph coloring algorithms. He has worked with over thirty student collaborators, both at Linfield, and as a part of an NSF-funded REU-RET (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017).  

Dr. Dunn is also a strong proponent of study abroad, having spent terms abroad in the USSR and England as an undergraduate, and half a year at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China, as a graduate student.  Since coming to Linfield, he has led six January Term off-campus courses.  Four times (2008, 2010, 2014, 2016) he has taken students to Russia, Germany, and Switzerland, following in the footsteps of Leonhard Euler.  He has also worked with Christopher Keaveney, Professor of Japanese, taking students in 2013 and 2018 to Beijing, Xi'an, and Kyoto, to study mathematics and culture in dynastic China and Japan.  

Michael P. Hitchman - Professor (Chair)

Taylor 212
503-883-2430

mhitchm@linfield.edu

Education:

Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Oregon. B.A., Mathematics, Swarthmore College.

Dr. Hitchman's research interests are in the areas of topology, geometry, and the mathematics of tiling.  He remains interested in the interplay between topology and geometry in the area of cosmic topology, whose aim is to detect the shape of the universe. He has also participated in collaborative research with students on tiling questions. He enjoys teaching a wide range of courses, including calculus, topology, geometry, analysis, probability and statistics, and astronomy.

Xiaoyue Luo - Professor

Taylor 211
503-883-2576

xluo@linfield.edu

Education: Ph.D., Applied Mathematics, Michigan State University; M.S., Statistics, Michigan State University; B.S., Mathematics, Beijing Jiaotong University. PhD Michigan State University

Jennifer Nordstrom - Professor

Taylor 205
503-883-2654

jfirkins@linfield.edu

Education:

Ph.D. University of Oregon M.S. University of Maryland, Baltimore County B.S. University of Redlands

Download Professor's Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Nordstrom's research interests are in the areas of algebra and combinatorics. She received her Ph.D. in ring theory from the University of Oregon. Dr. Nordstrom primarily teaches Abstract Algebra, Discrete Math, Number Theory and Game Theory but maintains an interest in a wide variety of mathematical fields. More recently she has published on game theory and popular culture and has written an open-access textbook for an introduction to game theory course. She has mentored undergraduate research in combinatorial game theory and graph theory. She currently runs the Math PLUS mentoring program.