Sandra Merchant
1888 West 5th Ave. Ÿ Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1P3 Ÿ 604-630-8097
merchant@math.ubc.ca Ÿ www.math.ubc.ca/~merchant/
Summary of Qualifications:
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B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in mathematics.
Teaching evaluations and teaching awards demonstrate excellence in the delivery of a
range of mathematics courses, including calculus, linear algebra, and mathematical proof.
Experience in a range of teaching formats and participation in research on student learning
indicate a commitment to mathematics education and professional growth, as well as a keen
interest in teaching pedagogy and innovations in the classroom.
Work as the Assistant Director of our department’s Science Education Initiative
demonstrates teamwork and project management skills.
Mentoring of other Science Teaching and Learning Fellows (STLFs) as the Chief STLF
illustrates strong leadership potential.
Relevant Work Experience:
2010 - present
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Mathematics & Carl Wieman
Science Education Initiative (CWSEI), University of British Columbia
I have held the following positions during this time:
Science Teaching and Learning Fellow (STLF) (2010 – present)
• Assisted instructors with implementing evidence-based instructional
practices in their courses and assessing the effectiveness of current and
improved practices.
• Major projects of note include assessing and tracking proof skills in our
mathematics program, and introducing online homework (WeBWorK) in
our first year calculus courses.
• Conducted research in mathematics education, and presented results at
international conferences.
• Full instructor for the course Math 220: “Mathematical Proof.”
Chief Science Teaching and Learning Fellow (Sept 2013 – present)
• Supervised the other Math STLFs, including general oversight to ensure
projects are on track and advised as needed on resources for their projects.
• Mentored the other Math STLFs on management of their projects and
interaction with faculty.
Assistant Director of the MATH-CWSEI program (Sept 2014 – present)
• Reported to the MATH-CWSEI Director and central CWSEI office on
project statuses, staff issues and resource needs.
• Supported the MATH-CWSEI Director in allocating resources to projects
and other CWSEI-related activities.
Sandra Merchant Page 2 of 4 • Collected and maintained MATH-CWSEI materials and resources, and
advised STLFs and faculty on organizing events.
2010 (Jan-Apr)
Mathematics Instructor, Alexander College, Burnaby, B.C.
• Taught mathematics courses in the university transfer program.
• Full instructor for the courses Math 151: “Calculus I” and Math 232:
“Elementary Linear Algebra.”
2001 - 2009
Research Assistant, Department of Mathematics, UBC
• Created and analyzed mathematical models and wrote scientific papers and
proposals on spatiotemporal pattern formation by invasive species.
• Presented research results at international conferences and seminars.
2001 – 2007
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Mathematics, UBC
I held several GTA positions during this period, the most relevant are:
Instructor for Mathematics Courses: (Summers 2002, 2003, 2004)
• Instructor for Math 184: “Differential Calculus for Social Science and
Commerce” and Math 105: “Integral Calculus with Applications to
Commerce and Social Sciences.”
• Received a departmental graduate teaching award in 2003 and was a
departmental nominee for a UBC graduate teaching award in 2005.
Computer Lab Instructor: (Fall and Winter 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Instructed and marked Matlab-based computer labs for Math 152: “Linear
Systems,” Math 265: “Linear Differential Equations” and Math 267:
“Mathematical Methods for Electrical and Computer Engineering.”
Math 180 Workshop Coordinator: (Fall 2005)
• Prepared problem sets and solutions for 16 sections of semester-long
problem-solving workshops for first-year calculus students.
• Selected and led a team of 8 undergraduate teaching assistants.
2000 – 2001
Mathematics and Statistics Tutor, Learning Skills Centre, UNBC
• Assisted students in a variety of mathematics and statistics courses by
addressing specific difficulties, diagnosing problem areas, providing
encouragement and reviewing assignments and exams.
Education:
2003 - 2009 Ph.D., Mathematics, University of British Columbia
Dissertation: “Spatiotemporal Patterns in Mathematical Models for Predator
Invasions.”
2001 - 2003 M.Sc., Mathematics, University of British Columbia
Thesis: “Analysis of an Integrodifference Model for Biological Invasions with a
Quasi-Local Interaction.”
Sandra Merchant Page 3 of 4 1996 - 2001 B.Sc., University of Northern British Columbia
Double major in Mathematics and Natural Resources Management - Wildlife
Management
Awards and Fellowships:
2007 – 2008
2003
2002 – 2003
1999 – 2000
1997
1996
Fellowship in the International Graduate Training Centre (IGTC) in
Mathematical Biology (PIMS)
Mathematics Department Graduate Teaching Award (UBC)
NSERC PGS A
Weldwood Scholarship (UNBC)
Northwood Pulp and Timber Scholarship (UNBC)
President's Scholarship (UNBC)
Selected Presentations and Posters:
1. K. Garaschuk & S. Merchant, Two-stage or not two-stage: experiences with group
assessments in math at UBC (talk), Changing the Culture 2015, Vancouver, BC, May 8,
2015.
2. S. Merchant & W. Maciejewski, Assessing the cognitive levels of mathematics problems
(poster), Annual Science Education Open House, University of British Columbia, April 13,
2015.
3. S. Merchant & A. Rechnitzer, Development and analysis of a basic proof skills test (talk),
Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Denver, Co., Feb 22,
2013.
4. W. Code, J. Lo & S. Merchant, How people learn: Implications for teaching mathematics
(talk), 8th PIMS Young Researchers Conference, University of British Columbia, May 3,
2011.
5. S. Merchant, Assessing and improving learning in an introductory proof course (talk),
Canadian Mathematical Society Winter Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Dec 5, 2010.
6. S. Merchant, Spatiotemporal patterns behind predator invasions in a model with non-local
prey competition (talk), Third Graducate Research Summit of the International Graduate
Training Centre in Mathematical Biology, University of British Columbia, July 24, 2009.
7. S. Merchant & W. Nagata, Stability of wavetrains generated by invasion (poster – first
prize), Second Graduate Research Summit of the International Graduate Training Centre in
Mathematical Biology, BIRS, September 21, 2008.
8. S. Merchant, Wavetrain selection following predator invasions in oscillatory reactiondiffusion systems (talk), Society for Mathematical Biology Annual Meeting, University of
Toronto, July 31, 2008.
Publications:
1. S. Merchant and A. Rechnitzer, Assessing basic proof skills in a transition-to-proof course,
in preparation.
2. W. J. Code, J. Lo, W. Maciejewski, S. Merchant and M. Thomas, The Math Attitudes and
Perceptions Survey, in preparation.
3. W. Maciejewski & S. Merchant, Mathematical Tasks, Study Approaches, and Course
Sandra Merchant Page 4 of 4 Grades in Undergraduate Mathematics: A Year-by-year Analysis, submitted.
4. S. M. Merchant and W. Nagata, Selection and stability of wave trains behind predator
invasions in a model with non-local prey competition, IMA Journal of Applied
Mathematics, 2014. doi: 10.1093/imamat/hxu048.
5. S. Merchant & A. Rechnitzer, Development and analysis of a basic proof skills test,
Proceedings of the 16th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics
Education, vol. 2, 585-589, 2013.
6. S. M. Merchant and W. Nagata, Instabilities and spatiotemporal patterns behind predator
invasions with nonlocal prey competition, Theoretical Population Biology, 80, 289-297,
2011.
7. S. M. Merchant and W. Nagata, Wave train selection behind invasion fronts in reaction–
diffusion predator–prey models, Physica D, 239, 1670-1680, 2010.
8. S. M. Merchant, Spatiotemporal patterns in mathematical models for predator invasions,
PhD Thesis, 2009.
9. S. M. Merchant, Analysis of an integrodifference model for biological invasions with a
quasi-local interaction, MSc Thesis, 2003.
Professional Development Courses and Workshops:
1. Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW): An internationally recognized 3.5-day workshop
designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and experienced educators.
Participants design and conduct three “mini-lessons” and receive verbal, written and video
feedback from the other participants who have been learners in the mini-lessons.
Completed Apr 2015.
2. An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching, MOOC through
Coursera, grade achieved: 97%, completed Dec 2014.
3. Intro to Project Management, Postdoctoral Fellows Office, UBC, Oct 3, 2013.
4. Mathematical Proof and Proving: a workshop for instructors of transition-to-proof courses.
New York University, May 29-30, 2013.
Organizational Work:
1. Organizer of UBC Math’s monthly departmental “Lunch Series on Teaching and
Learning,” September 2014-present.
2. Co-organized the First Graduate Research Summit of the International Graduate Training
Centre in Mathematical Biology, University of British Columbia, September 28-30, 2007.
Technical Skills:
• Have expertise with the mathematical software Maple and Matlab and the numerical
continuation software AUTO.
• Experienced programmer in C++, Matlab and FORTRAN.
• Experienced with the online homework system WeBWorK, including coding problems.