Contact
Sima Ahsani
Mathematics Department
304 Chavis Hall
204 W. Washington St.
Lexington, VA 24450
Email: sahsani@wlu.edu
I am currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Washington and Lee University. I earned my Ph.D. in Mathematics from Auburn University, with a specialization in Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory under the supervision of Professor Tin Yau Tam and Professor Ming Liao. Before joining Washington and Lee University, I served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, from 2021 to 2023 and at Auburn University from 2019 to 2021.
My research is on matrix theory and its application. Currently, I am working on matrices derived from data that are positive definite. This area offers vast potential for interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications. From a differential geometry perspective, positive definite matrices inhabit a non-Euclidean space and can be visualized as topological points on an open cone. This geometric interpretation enables the use of specialized distance metrics, such as the Riemannian distance, which significantly enhance classic algorithms in various domains.
I have more than ten years of experience in teaching mathematics as an independent instructor and researcher at the best and most diverse universities. I have taught a wide spectrum of developmental to upper-level and special topics math courses. Throughout my career, I have instructed a diverse student population in introductory and intermediate math courses, including all levels of pre-calculus, calculus, the art of mathematical thinking, linear algebra, linear differential equations, probability, and statistics. I have also taught higher-level mathematics courses such as linear optimization, mathematical fundamentals of machine learning, numerical analysis with Python, real analysis, and abstract algebra. A comprehensive list of the courses I’ve taught and developed can be found in my teaching statement and CV.