Mathletes Staff

Tanya Huffman, M.A.

Mrs. Huffman has taught undergraduate level mathematics since 2005. She has developed inquiry-based curriculum materials for introductory statistics and calculus courses and facilitated workshops on developing Process-Oriented Guided-Inquiry Learning (POGIL) activities. She coordinates business calculus courses and mentors new faculty. Her classes utilize active learning and technology enhancement - clickers, mobile devices and team-based learning with game play (Math Jeopardy). She is a member of the organizing committee for the undergraduate mathematics conference. She writes High School tests for the FGCU annual mathematics competition and FGCU STEM competition. She is a member of the judging panel for the middle school science fair. She is a faculty member of the FGCU Honors Program, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Initiative and Whitaker Center for STEM Education. She is a senior faculty personnel for the STEM Professional Academy for Reinvigorating the Culture of Teaching (SPARCT) program.

Menaka Navaratna, PhD.

Menaka Navaratna is a Professor of Mathematics at Florida Gulf Coast University. His terminal degree is in the area of applied mathematics where real life applications are modelled using mathematical equations. Besides regular teaching duties, his interests include, but are not limited to modeling biological systems using differential equations, mathematics education, computer programming and building circuits. During his leisure time, he loves to disassemble and learn the new technologies used in electrical equipment.

Rachel Campbell, M.S.
Instructor at Department of Chemistry & Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University
Chemistry Activity Leader

 

Jeff Hutchinson PhD.
Assistant Professor at Department of Chemistry & Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University
Physics Activity Leader 

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson was born and raised in Edmonds, Washington, in the suburbs of Seattle where the verdant mountainous beauty is provided by nearly continuous rain, sometimes literally for months at a time. He graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington where he received his B.A. in Physics and he spent his free time studying classical fencing. In 2007 he moved down to Davis, California where he received his Ph.D in Physics from the University of California, Davis, under the mentorship of Dr. Markus Luty. There he found his love for board games and, more importantly, his wife, Emily. In 2014, he moved to Fort Myers, Florida to join the faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University and start a family. Now he spends his free time playing dinosaurs with his 3 year old daughter, Penny, watching his favorite shows with Emily, and playing board games with his friends. He also loves to teach physics and mentor undergraduate researchers simulating dark matter signals at particle colliders.

Ian Campbell, M.S.
Instructor at Department of Chemistry & Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University
Chemistry Activity Leader

Ian S. Campbell is an analytical chemist with emphasis in mass spectrometry. His graduate work focused on method development for detecting low level pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in freshwater systems. His early work at FGCU included work with SW Florida water systems including nutrients in river and estuary waters and residual oil levels from the Deepwater Horizon event in 2010. Since 2013, he has worked as chemistry professor at FGCU.

 

Puspa Adhikari PhD.
Assistant Professor at Department of Marine & Earth Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University
Marine Science Activity Leader 

Puspa L. Adhikari is an Assistant Professor of Marine Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). He received his PhD from Louisiana State University (LSU) studying transport and fates of nutrients and organic pollutants in marine environments. In 2018, Puspa moved to Fort Myers, Florida to join the faculty at The Water School, FGCU. His area of research and teaching interests are in Marine and Environmental Chemistry. During his leisure time, Puspa loves being on water or watching sports, and playing volleyball and basketball. He is a big fan of college football, NBA and NFL.  

Cleo Rupp
Student at Florida Gulf Coast University. Department of Mathematics. Teaching Assistant.

Cleo Rupp is an undergraduate student at Florida Gulf Coast University seeking a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Education and Statistics. She has always helped her fellow classmates in her classes with understanding the curriculum and then was a tutor for the Center for Academic Achievement in pre-calculus at FGCU. While working in a restaurant throughout her duration at FGCU she is also an officer for the Actuarial Science Club, a recipient of the Ruth and Burtt Holmes Endowed Scholarship, and apart of the National Society of Leadership and Success Florida Gulf Coast University chapter. In her free time she enjoys traveling, soaking up the sun, and relaxing with friends.

Robert Smith
Graduate Student at Florida Gulf Coast University. Teaching Assistant. Department of Marine & Earth Sciences,

Robert “Marlin” Smith is an environmental science master’s student at FGCU. He is currently conducting research for the EPA surveying the chemical aspects of the benthos In the Gulf of Mexico in relation to the flow and discharges from the Caloosahatchee River. He is also a scientific diver for FGCU and have worked on red tide and ciguatera research during his time as an undergraduate student. He is currently finishing up his technical diver and instructor certifications. Upon graduation he likes to become a dive safety officer/marine operations manager. If he is not in the lab or in the field you can find him on a boat, in the pool, reading a book, or doing some fun dives!

 

Advaith Menon
Student at Dunbar High School. Junior Counselor

Advaith is a sophomore at Dunbar High School. He is passionate about computer science, mathematical problem solving, robotics and other computer integrated mechanics. He’s currently the precalculus captain for the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society Math Team at Dunbar, and a team member of a world-championship winning local robotics team. He has been actively involved in reaching out to his local community and building interest in STEM, including spreading awareness and teaching useful skills in robotics and math. In addition, he is part of the varsity tennis team and also loves to swim.

 

Kirill Milov 
Student at FSW Collegiate High School. Junior Counselor

Kirill Milov is a soon-to-be freshman at FSW Collegiate High School. He enjoys higher-level math, reading and challenging himself, and wants to pursue a technology-related job in the future. Currently, he is the secretary of the NHS club at Florida Lee Virtual School. In his free time, he goes out for runs, plays games and spends time with his family.

 

Talha Nasri

Student at FSW Collegiate High School. Junior Counselor

Talha is an incoming freshman at FSW Collegiate High School. He enjoys math and computer science as he loves problem solving and challenging himself. Aside from taking pride in his studies, Talha enjoys spending his free time coding, playing video games, swimming, and participating in community based volunteering. He is looking forward to being apart of the team this summer and sharing his love for STEM along the way! 

Lanka Navaratna
Student at Fort Myers High School. Junior Counselor

Lanka Navaratna is an incoming sophomore at Fort Myers High school. She is enthusiastic about biology and technology-related subjects. She attends club meetings regularly and volunteers at the school. Her commitment to community collaboration has led to numerous volunteer opportunities and leadership positions. Lanka has been a part of the mathletes program since the summer of 2018 and is thrilled to be able to assist. She spends her free time with her friends playing video games and listening to music.

 

Nishini Fernando
Student at Dunbar High School. Junior Counselor

Nishini will be an incoming freshman at Dunbar High School. She has been competing in math competitions such as Mathcounts, AMC 8 and the AMC 10. She qualified for the AIME this year from her AMC 10 scores. Some of her other interests are in writing and science research. She hopes to share her passion for math through this summer program.