Cornelia Van Cott
Professor
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
University of San Francisco
Contact information
Address: 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
E-mail: cvancott at usfca dot edu
Professional information
I am a geometric topologist, studying knots, surfaces, and the interplay between three and four dimensional topology.
Education
Ph.D. in Mathematics
Indiana University, 2008.
Thesis advisor: Chuck Livingston
B.S. in Mathematics
Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), 2002
Work experience
University of San Francisco
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Full Professor 2022 – present
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Department Chair 2017 – 2020 and 2024 – 2025
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Associate Professor 2014 – 2022
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Assistant Professor 2008 – 2014
Faculty member, 2025
Math in the Mountains is a mathematics camp for mathematically gifted youth ages 10 through 14.
Faculty member, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023 – 2026
MathPath is a mathematics camp for mathematically gifted youth ages 11 through 14.
Faculty member, 2026
Campersand (C&!) is a one week summer residential program youth ages 9 to 18 who love math, computer science, and deep thinking.
Faculty member, 2014, 2015
Epsilon Camp is a mathematics camp for mathematically gifted children ages 8 through 11.
2010 - present
2010 - present
Service to the profession
Mathematical Association of America
Chair of the Golden Section, 2019 – 2021
Organized the annual conference. Here is the link to the 2021 event.
San Francisco Math Teachers' Circle
Leadership team, 2016 – 2021
SFMTC is a professional community of K-12 teachers and mathematicians that meets monthly to explore accessible, exciting topics in mathematics.
Co-Director, 2011 – 2013
The San Francisco Math Circle is a weekly after-school program that provides a community for youth in San Francisco schools who want to work on interesting math problems.