Robert Talbert, Ph.D.

•  May 2010 
  Nominee, Franklin College Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship
•  May 1996 
  Vanderbilt University, B.F. Bryant Prize for Excellence in Teaching

I'm a professor in the Mathematics Department at Grand Valley State University in Allendale/Grand Rapids, Michigan. I teach courses for mathematics majors, preservice mathematics instructors, engineers, and computer scientists. I also coordinate the department's seminar series and manage educational technology purchases for the department. I joined the department in Fall 2011. Prior to that, I was at Franklin College in Indiana from 2001--2011 and at Bethel College in Indiana from 1997--2001.

I received my PhD in mathematics from Vanderbilt University in 1997 in the area of algebraic topology and homological algebra. My advisor was Efstratios Prassidis. My dissertation dealt with algebraic equivalences between two different kinds of homology theories. These days, my interests lie in algebra, cryptography, mathematics education, and engineering education. I'm especially interested in educational technology and how technology can support active learning environments in the university classroom.

I live in Hudsonville, Michigan with my wife, three kids (ages 2, 5, and 7) and our cat. We're Christians of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod persuasion. I've been a bass guitar player for 20 years and enjoy choral music too. I also enjoy the outdoors, running, and reading.