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Department of Natural and Behavioral Sciences |
Dr. Michael Luis Ortiz
Dr. Michael Luis Ortiz is an Assistant Professor of
Mathematics at Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in
Uvalde, Texas. Dr. Ortiz holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics
from the University of North Texas and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from
the University of Texas at Austin. He is originally from San Antonio,
Texas, and grew up in Castroville.
Dr. Ortiz matriculated to the University of North Texas in 1997 with the assistance of the Regents' Scholarship, the largest undergraduate scholarship granted by that institution, and also the Multicultural Scholarship. He received numerous academic recognitions as an undergraduate and, most notably, was named Outstanding Undergraduate Mathematics Student of the Year in 2002.
Dr. Ortiz was accepted into the mathematics doctoral program at the University of Texas in 2002. He was awarded the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship for Minorities by the National Academy of Sciences in 2002, and this provided financial support for his first three years of graduate work. He was also awarded the Dean's Excellence Fellowship by the College of Natural Sciences of the University of Texas upon his acceptance to the institution.
As he completed his degree, Dr. Ortiz worked in the Department of Mathematics as teaching assistant, graduate research assistant, and, finally, as assistant instructor; he was the instructor of record in a number of mathematics classes from 2006 through 2008. He also received financial support through several faculty research grants from the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Ortiz is most interested in the intersection between geometry, topology, and theoretical physics, and his research has included many forays into quantum theory. His current professional interests include geometry, theoretical physics, the history of mathematics, humanistic mathematical education, and philosophy.
Dr. Ortiz has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, and he is pleased to be able to represent this class of disabled persons at an institution of higher learning. He currently resides in Uvalde, Texas, with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Click here to see some of his artwork.