Assistant Professor of Mathematics Chad Awtrey has been chosen to receive the 2014 Early Career Mentoring Award from the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science within the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).
The CUR mentoring award aims to honor an early career mathematician or computer scientist (0-6 years past their doctoral degree) for their success in mentoring undergraduate students in research.
Since joining Elon University in 2010, Awtrey has mentored 14 undergraduates on 19 research projects. His students have published seven papers in quality research journals and have given 21 presentations at various national and regional venues. His students’ post-graduation careers include graduate studies, Fulbright study/travel in Sri Lanka, and employment at various business/industry/government institutions.
In 2013 Awtrey was awarded an external grant from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics and the National Science Foundation (#DMS-1148695). The grant, which has recently been extended through May 2015, has provided more than $20,000 of support to six Elon undergraduates in the form of stipends and travel funds. His students have also been supported internally as Honors Fellows, Rawls Scholars and SURE participants.
Awtrey currently provides professional service in the area of undergraduate research as a councilor for CUR, scientific committee member for the UNC Greensboro Regional Mathematics and Statistics Conference and councilor for the national mathematics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon.