I received my Masters and PhD degrees in Mathematics
from Stanford University.
I have worked on applications using differential
equations, queueing theory, generalized functions,
optimal control, differential geometry, group theory and
signal analysis. Areas of application have included
earthquake modeling, chip manufacturing, mobile telephone
network modeling, biological structures (tendrils), and
computer-assisted language instruction.
I have been employed at research laboratories at Stanford
University, US Geological Survey and Hewlett-Packard.
I have served as acting director of the Research
Institute for Advanced Computer Science where previously
I had been chief scientist and associate director.
At HP Labs, I patented the first rigorous method for
calibrating interferometer stages, used in manufacturing
computer chips and nano-technology. See (caution, sixty-six page pdf)
Self-calibration of Interferometer Stages.
I cofounded a Silicon Valley startup, focusing on
organizing and indexing resources on the Internet, using
digital library and metadata principles.
I co-developed the "mnemonic keyword method" for vocabulary
acquisition (see "Mnemotechnics in second-language learning", by R. C.
Atkinson in American Psychologist, 1975).
Prior to retirement in 2006, I was professor of mathematics and
director of the Math Clinic at Harvey Mudd College.
Since its inception in 2001, I have been directing the summer
Research in Industrial Projects for Students
(RIPS) Program at UCLA's
Institue for Pure and Applied Mathematics, an institute of
the National Science Foundation.
