Kyle Pula

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2009 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media profile

“Mathematics and the scientific and technological enterprises that it enables are essential components not only to the advancement of human civilization, but more urgently, to its very continuation.”

Kyle Pula, currently a PhD candidate in mathematics at the University of Denver has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission to undertake 12 months research in Australia.

Kyle will carry out his primary research in a field of mathematics known as Latin squares at Monash University, working with Dr. Ian Wanless, who is a world leader in the field.

“Latin squares are part of a larger area of mathematics that attempts to understand when and why certain types of configurations are possible. As a special type of such configurations, Latin squares have been studied since the late 1700s and have been implemented in numerous real world applications ranging from the design of experiments, to optimal crop rotations and secure and efficient digital communication,” Kyle said.

Kyle and Dr Wanless will examine specific unsolved issues in regard to Latin squares and they aim to advance this historically significant field.

Kyle will also carry out secondary research into Latin squares with projects that are connected to computer algorithms with Drs Darryn Bryant and Brendan McKay of the University of Queensland and the Australian National University. This research could lead eventually to more effective and efficient computational tools.

Kyle’s time in Australia will also include a valuable community engagement component, spent fostering maths education.

“Maths education in America and Australia struggles with many of the same issues, including cultures that fail to value mathematical accomplishment and thereby discourage even the most talented students from reaching their full potential.”

Kyle has previously taught mathematics at the University of Denver’s Ricks Center for Gifted Children and Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth. He will work with several Australian educational organisations to further his commitment to gifted education. Kyle has a Masters in Mathematics from the University of Denver and a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Greenville College, U.S. He has won awards for outstanding teaching and for his academic work and has published papers in several journals.

Kyle is one of 19 American Fulbright Scholars travelling to Australia in 2009/2010.