Online Curriculum Vitae for Laura Taalman

An exact sequence of weighted Nash complexes	submitted
Submitted to Illinois Journal of Mathematics.  Given a three-dimensional complex algebraic variety with isolated singular point and a sufficiently fine complete resolution of the singularity, we can make a careful choice of hyperplane that allows us to construct an exact sequence of weighted Nash complexes. Preprint in .pdf format
p-Coloring classes of torus knots	pending revisions
Pending revisions, to appear in the Missouri Journal of Mathematical Sciences.  Written with Anna-Lisa Breiland and Layla Oesper.  We develop a theorem for determining the p-colorability of any (m,n) torus knot, and prove that any p-colorable (m,n) torus knot has exactly one p-coloring class. Preprint in .pdf format
Taking Sudoku Seriously	to appear
To appear in Math Horizons.  We investigate the main open questions concerning Sudoku puzzles by examining these questions in the 4x4 case. Many research questions suitable for undergraduate research projects are included. Preprint in .pdf format
Counting m-coloring classes of knots and links	2006
Pi Mu Epsilon Journal, Volume 12, Number 5, Fall 2006.  Written with Kathryn Brownell and Kaitlyn O'Neil.  We develop a general formula for the number of fundamentally different m-colorings of a knot based on its m-nullity, and apply this result to the class of pretzel knots. Preprint in .pdf format
Problem Zero: Getting students to read mathematics	2005
MAA Innovative Teaching Exchange, April 2005.  An idea for a simple way to encourage students to read their textbooks and to take ownership of and responsibility for the material. Article on the MAA website
Integrated Calculus Textbook	2004
Published nationally by Houghton Mifflin in 2004, ISBN 0-618-21950-1.  This textbook combines calculus, precalculus, and algebra into one two-semester course sequence.  Integrated Calculus addresses the needs of students who need more background in precalculus and algebra, but covers calculus material at a level that is suitable even for math and science majors.  Used at James Madison University since 2001, where it is the required text for Math 231 and 232 (Calculus with Functions I and II).  Also appeared as a custom publication from Houghton-Mifflin as ISBN 0-618-30822-9 in 2002.  Has been used at California State University Long Beach, Centre College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Harvard University, Hope College, James Madison University, Knox College, Loyola University Chicago, Miami Dade Community College, Monash University, North Central College, Oxford College of Emory University, Trinity College Hartford, Tulane University, University of St. Thomas, and Urbana University. www.integratedcalculus.com
Simplicity is Not Simple: Tesselations and Modular Architecture	2002
Cover article for Math Horizons, September 2002.  Co-written with Eugenie Hunsicker, Lawrence University.  An investigation of 2-dimensional tesselations and 3-dimensional space-filling polyhedra and their use in modular architecture, in particular in the work of artist and architect Gregg Fleishman.  Winner of the MAA Trevor Evans Award. Cover photo Article in pdf format
Complete Resolutions, Hsiang-Pati Coordinates, and the Nash Sheaf	2001
Manuscripta Mathematica 106, 2001, no. 2, 249-270.  In this paper we show that if V is a 3-dimensional complex algebraic variety with isolated singular point, then there exists a "complete" resolution of V, i.e. a resolution over which the Nash sheaf is locally free, and the maximal ideal sheaf and a certain Fitting ideal sheaf are locally principal.  Over such a resolution, the Nash sheaf is generated by the differentials of monomial functions whose exponents are a Hsiang-Pati ordered set. Abstract Review of article Article in pdf format
Calculus/Precalculus Coursepack and Laboratory Manual	1999 and 2000
John Wiley Custom Publishing, ISBN 0-471-40965-0 and 0-471-37785-6.  Co-written with Jack Bookman, et al, Duke University.  Required text for all sections of the laboratory calculus/precalculus sequence at Duke University.

When Sudoku Meets Math and Creative Minds	2006
Article about a talk I gave at the University of Maryland, in Outlook Online, the University of Maryland Faculty and Staff newspaper. Article in html format
Sudoku: The Puzzle That Ate The World	2006
Radio interview aired May 6-12, 2006 on With Good Reason, a Virginia Public Radio program. Streaming MP3 of the interview
Bright Lights: Love of math adds up to honors	2006
Featured in this article from the Winter 2006 issue of Madison, the magazine of James Madison University. Article in pdf format
Do you Sudoku?	2006
Quoted in this March 19, 2006 article from the Daily News Leader, the newspaper of Staunton, Virginia and the Central Shenandoah Valley. Article in html format
It All Adds Up: Love of Math Brings National Teaching Honors To Professor	2005
Featured in this article from the August 2005 issue of Madison Scholar, a journal of scholarly activity at James Madison University. Article in html format

MAA Contributed Paper Session at the New Orleans Joint Math Meetings	Spring 2007
Organizer of the contributed paper session The Mathematics of Sudoku and Other Puzzles, which featured 16 contributed talks about Sudoku, Kakuro, Knight's Tours, and the game of SET, over two three-hour sessions.
MAA Fall MD/DC/VA Sectional Meetings	Fall 2006
Program Chair of the fall sectional meeting, which was hosted jointly by Hampden-Sydney College and Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. The two-day meeting consisted of 19 contributed faculty talks, Project NExT activities, and four invited speakers (Eve Torrence of Randolph-Macon College delivered the Workshop, Thomas Hull of Merrimack College gave the Banquet Address, and the Saturday invited addresses were given by Betty Mayfield of Hood College and John Osoinach of Millsaps College). Fall MAA meeting website
Shenandoah Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Conference (SUMS II)	Fall 2006
Co-Director of the second annual JMU SUMS Conference, which consisted of 22 undergraduate contributed talks, 27 student poster presentations, three panel sessions, and two invited addresses (Ed Burger of Williams College and Tim Chartier of Davidson College). SUMS 2006 website
Shenandoah Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Conference (SUMS I)	Fall 2005
Co-Director of the first annual JMU SUMS Conference, which consisted of 16 undergraduate contributed talks, 11 student poster presentations, a panel session, and two invited addresses (Art Benjamin of Harvey-Mudd College and Greg Warrington of Wake Forest University). SUMS 2005 website
MAA Panel Session at the Baltimore Joint Math Meetings	Spring 2003
Organizer for the panel session Integrating Calculus, Precalculus, and Algebra, which featured authors of combined calculus/precalculus textbooks and materials (Nancy Baxter-Hastings of Dickinson College, Jack Bookman of Duke University, Dennis Ebersole of Northampton Community College, Robin Gottleib of Harvard University, and Robert Hostetler of Penn State Erie).
Project NExT Session at the New Orleans Joint Math Meetings	Spring 2001
Co-organizer of the Pedagogy Swap Session at the Project NExT portion of the AMS/MAA Joint Meetings in New Orleans.

NSF/MAA Grant supporting a Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conference (RUMC)	2005, 2006
NSF Grant DMS-0241090 to partially support the Shenandoah Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (SUMS) Conference at James Madison University. (Funding for the SUMS Conference is also provided by the Association for Women in Science, and by the College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, and Mathematics and Statistics Club at James Madison University.)
Texty Award	2006
Recipient of the 2006 Texty Award in the category of Mathematics and Statistics, for the textbook Integrated Calculus. Texty Awards are given annually by the Text and Academic Authors Association (TAA) to recognize current textbooks and learning materials.
Be the Change	2006
One of many James Madison University people whose profiles are featured as part of the Be the Change campaign. Be the Change profile
Departmental Distinguished Teacher Award	2006
This award is given annually by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at James Madison University.
Nominee for the College of Science and Mathematics Distinguished Teacher Award	2006
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics nominates one faculty member each year for the college-wide Distinguished Teacher Award.
Alder Award	2005
One of three recipients of this national award from the MAA that recognizes talented young teachers in mathematics whose teaching has had influence beyond their own classrooms.
Trevor Evans Award	2003
An article I wrote with Eugenie Hunsicker was one of two articles chosen by the MAA for this award, which honors authors of exceptional articles that are accessible to undergraduates and published in Math Horizons.
James Madison University Summer Teaching Grant	2001
Awarded a grant for Summer 2001 to develop a new course sequence that integrates calculus, precalculus, and algebra.
AWM Travel Fellowship	2000
Fellowship for research conference travel expenses awarded by the Association for Women in Mathematics.
Project NExT Fellow	2000-2001
Fellowship for new mathematicians and teachers of mathematics, to attend a series of conferences and professional development workshops.
L.P. and Barbara Smith Award for Excellence in Teaching	1998, 1999
Sole recipient for two years running of the highest graduate teaching award given by the Duke University Mathematics Department. I was the first person to win this award twice.
Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching	1997, 1999
On two occasions, one of two recipients of this university-wide annual award from the Duke University Graduate School. Teachers must be nominated by their students (who write essays justifying the nomination) to be eligible for this award.
Duke Mathematics Teaching Award	1997
Annual award given by the Duke University Mathematics Department to graduate student teachers.