Brian D. Jones began teaching at Kenyon in 1995. His research interests are applied probability, random graphs, mathematical modeling, combinatorial probability and generating functions. In 2007, he designed the course Random Structures, a class focused on problem solving that draws from all of these topics. His current research includes using probability to characterize the coefficients of special large degree polynomials and applying probabilistic methods to bracket distances on the continuum using discrete metrics. He often contributes statistical analyses to the research of Kenyon colleagues in biology, with recent works including acidic effects on cell division of E. coli, transcriptomic response and recovery of E. coli after acid shock and transcriptomic response in Bacillus subtilis under pH stress.

Brian has a particular passion for writing creative, challenging and fun problems in mathematics and statistics. He has worked in industry as a process development engineer, mathematical modeler and statistical analyst and these experiences often find their way into his exercises and projects.

Outside the classroom, Jones enjoys music of all genres, baseball, running, hiking, canoeing and juggling. He has served as advisor to the Kenyon College chess and juggling clubs.

Education

1995 — Doctor of Philosophy from The Ohio State University

1989 — Master of Science from The Ohio State University

1985 — Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University

Courses Recently Taught