Sarah Hews, assistant professor of mathematics, received a B.S. in Mathematics at the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Arizona State University. Her postdoc at Swarthmore College, funded by HHMI, focused on developing new courses at the interface of mathematics and biology and introducing quantitative tools in a range of biological courses.
Professor Hews’ teaching primarily focuses on applying mathematical techniques to biological and physical systems. This involves building an intuitive understanding of the concepts and computational tools necessary to tackle complex, real world problems. In addition, all courses emphasize communicating mathematics to a broader audience.
Hews’ research focuses on the dynamical implications and underlying assumptions of mathematical models. She is the co-director and co-founder of the Collaborative Modeling Center, co-PI on an NSF-UBM grant, member of the 4 College Biomathematics Consortium, and representative to the newly founded Five College Biomathematical Sciences Certificate.
She has recently developed a First-Year Integrated Sciences Program with colleague Christina Cianfrani and is currently working in a research group studying a new building on campus built to the Living Building Challenge, the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard. She recently spoke at the dedication for the Kern Center, a new building built to the Living Building standard at Hampshire College. Her most popular class at Hampshire, Calculus in Context is an innovative approach to Calculus that has been well received by science and non-science students alike.
Contact Information
E-mail: shews@hampshire.edu