2007 Virginia OFA Recipient

Dr. John A. Adam has been a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Old Dominion University since 1984. He is known as an inspiring teacher, one who brings mathematics and its applications to life. Dr. Adam has received many honors for his teaching, among them his designation as a University Professor (1999), which is the highest honor that the University bestows on a faculty member for teaching excellence. His recent book, Mathematics in Nature:Modeling Patterns in the Natural World , was developed out of a course of the same name. It stresses that mathematics is a powerful language that can both describe and elucidate the beauty of nature.

Dr. Adam is internationally recognized for his work in mathematical biology in particular and mathematical modeling in general. His extensive publications (90) and presentations (100), encompassing these and other research topics, give testimony to his continuing efforts to contribute to the work of various scientific communities and fields. Although originally trained in astrophysical fluid dynamics, his research focus has evolved over the years to mathematical modeling in cancer biology, wound healing, and, lately, atmospheric optics.

Dr. Adam’s recently published book, Mathematics in Nature: Modeling Patterns in the Natural World, is the pinnacle of his recent accomplishments and exemplifies the integration of his scholarship and research. The book won the Association of American Publishers Mathematics and Statistics Professional/Scholarly Award in 2004 and was one of Choice’s Outstanding Academic Titles for 2004. The Choice award is given annually by the American Library Association to recognize its top publications.

In addition to supervising seven mathematics Ph.D. students, Dr. Adam has also served on many Ph.D. committees in the departments of Physics, Oceanography and Mathematics. Another of his other responsibilities is reviewing papers for scientific and applied mathematical journals; he also makes presentations to the elementary school, middle school, high school, and college teaching communities, as well as to churches and other community organizations. An unusual example of his service is his continued contribution to the Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) web site (http://epod.usra.edu/). Nearly two dozen of his nature photographs, illustrating the underlying structure of naturally occurring patterns have been published here.

According to Dr. J. Mark Dorrepaal, chair of the department of Mathematics and Statistics, “Dr. Adam’s work is that of an exemplary faculty member. He has developed an innovative first-class research program that regularly brings external recognition. He has provided his profession, his university, and his community with valuable services and has earned the reputation of being an inspirational teacher where the pursuit of mathematical insight is concerned. His new book has added to his prestige as one of the University’s leading contributors. As his chairman, it is an absolute delight to have him in my Department.”