Kim Levere

Education and Employment Background

Prof. Kim Levere received her PhD from the University of Guelph in 2012. After working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph in 2012, Levere became an Assistant Professor the School of Engineering in 2013. She became an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics in 2021.

Research Themes

Dynamical systems allow us to formulate mathematical models that can help us to describe real-world phenomena. From chemical reactions to structural components of your home, through to even the mathematics of emotion, Prof. Levere enjoys learning how to understand these things mathematically. Implicit in these sorts of studies, Prof. Levere also uses numerical methods, analysis, computing, statistics, and optimization skills. She loves to see the Mathematics and Statistics that she has learned (and now teaches to students) come alive in the real world. Prof. Levere divides her time between teaching and research. Key themes include:

1. Modelling for predictive purposes. Prof. Levere has come to discover that some models can be used for predictive purposes when done inversely. That is, starting with an answer and working toward some other part of a mathematical model. For instance, she has explored the use of such inverse problems in ecological modelling for the preservation of fish colonies when faced with the possibility of drought or detecting the contraction of a disease in the body based purely on current x-rays.
2. Teaching and Learning. In addition to discipline-based research, Prof. Levere is a passionate teacher. As the instructor of several entry-level mathematics and statistics courses, she constantly looks to bridge gaps between high school and University Calculus. She aims to make this transition as smooth as possible, while improving student learning and experience. As a backbone to so many different disciplines, she strives to motivate the study of Mathematics and Statistics beyond textbook problems and the classroom and open the eyes of students to their many real-world applications and uses. Prof. Levere has conducted research on Competency-Based Education as well as the student transition to university.

Highlights

• University of Guelph Faculty Association Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching, 2016 
• Favourite Fall Professor, University of Guelph Student Housing, 2017, 2019 and 2020
• Competency-based Education Funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education and D2L, 2018
• Recipient of Learning Enhancement Fund Grant for Enhancing Assessment in Foundational Mathematics Courses, 2016
• Recipient of a PSEER Grant for the development of a tool for detecting the consistency of grading amongst TA grading, 2018