Dr. John A. Quintanilla
University of North Texas
Mathematics
(940) 565-4043
Email:

Education

PhD, Princeton University, 1997.
Major: Civil Engineering and Operations Research
Dissertation Title: Microstructure and Properties of Random Materials
MA, Princeton University, 1994.
Major: Civil Engineering and Operations Research
BS, Stanford University, 1992.
Major: Mathematics
MS, Stanford University, 1992.
Major: Mathematics

Professional Positions

Academic - Post-Secondary
Dean, University of North Texas. (June 2022 – Present).
Professor, University of North Texas. (2011 – Present).
College of Science Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, University of North Texas. (March 2017May 2022).
Associate Professor, University of North Texas. (20032011).
Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. (19972003).
Lecturer, University of North Texas. (19961997).

Professional Memberships

Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences. (1996 – Present).

Mathematical Association of America. (1988 – Present).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

University of North Texas
BIOL 4700, Research Methods for Secondary Science Instruction, 2 courses.
CHEM 4700, Research Methods for Secondary Science Instruction, 2 courses.
MATH 1650, Pre Calculus, 4 courses.
MATH 1680, Elementary Probability and Statistics, 1 course.
MATH 1710, Calculus I, 4 courses.
MATH 2000, Discrete Mathematics, 14 courses.
MATH 2100, Functions and Modeling for Secondary Mathematics Instruction, 1 course.
MATH 2900, Special Problems, 4 courses.
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I, 7 courses.
MATH 3680, Applied Statistics, 20 courses.
MATH 4050, Advanced Study of the Secondary Mathematics Curriculum, 14 courses.
MATH 4610, Probability, 5 courses.
MATH 4900, Special Problems, 13 courses.
MATH 4951, Honors College Capstone Thesis, 1 course.
MATH 4980, Experimental Course, 1 course.
MATH 5000, Instructional Issues for the Professional Mathematician, 3 courses.
MATH 5810, Probability and Statistics, 1 course.
MATH 5900, Special Problems, 15 courses.
MATH 6900, Special Problems, 2 courses.
PHYS 4700, Research Methods for Secondary Science Instruction, 2 courses.

Directed Student Learning

Dissertation Defense Committee Member,"Optimal Look Ahead Stopping Rules for Simple Random Walks," Mathematics. (June 11, 2021).

Dissertation Defense Committee Member,"A Global Spatial Model for Loop Pattern Fingernails and its Spectral Analysis," Mathematics. (June 28, 2019).

Dissertation Defense Committee Member,"Prophet Inequalities for Multivariate Random Variables with Cost for Observations," Mathematics. (April 24, 2019).

Dissertation Defense Committee Member,"A Random Walk Version of Robbins' Problem," Mathematics. (October 2018).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"Do State School Rankings and Test Results Have Predictive Value in First Year College Success?," Mathematics. (September 18, 2017).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"Statistical Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Math Lab," Mathematics. (June 30, 2016).

Dissertation Committee Member,"Sharp Lower Bounds for Stopping At or Near the Top of a Sequence," Mathematics. (2015).

Dissertation Committee Member,"Transfer from a UTeach Replication Site to the Classroom: A Study of First and Second Year Instructional Practices," Teacher Education and Administration. (2015).

Master's Thesis Committee Member,"Simulating the House Selling Problem with k Identical Objects," Mathematics. (2015).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"Does Having Taken Discrete Mathematics Benefit Students When They Later Take An Introductory Proofs Course?," Mathematics. (2014).

Dissertation Committee Member,"The Validation of a Short-Cycle Formative Assessment Observation Protocol for Science and Mathematics Instruction," Teacher Education and Administration. (2013).

Dissertation Committee Member,"The Development of Algebraic Reasoning in Undergraduate Elementary Preservice Teachers," Teacher Education and Administration. (2012).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"Continuum Percolation with Steps on the Square or Disc," Mathematics. (2009).

Other. (20082008).

Other. (20082008).

Other. (20062008).

Other. (20062008).

Other. (20072007).

Other. (20062006).

Other. (20062006).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"CornerPositive Matrices and the Class of Unit Covariances," Mathematics. (20052006).

Other. (20042006).

Other. (20052005).

Other. (20052005).

Other. (20052005).

Master's Thesis Committee Chair,"Survival Probability and Dynamic Programming," Mathematics. (20052005).

Other. (20052005).

Other. (20042005).

Other. (20032005).

Other. (20032004).

Other. (20032004).

Other. (20032004).

Other. (20032004).

Other. (20022002).

Other. (20022002).

Other. (20012002).

Other. (20012001).

Other. (20012001).

Other. (20002000).

Other. (20002000).

Other. (19982000).

Other. (19981998).

Awards and Honors

University Distinguished Teaching Professor, UNT Provost's Office. (2010 – Present).

Nominated for: Minnie Stevens Piper Award, Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. (20162016).

Faculty Teaching Award, UNT Department of Mathematics. (20152015).

Nominated for: U.S. Professor of the Year, Carnegie Foundation. (20142015).

Nominated for: UNT Teacher Scholar Award, UNT Research Office. (20092009).

Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics Award, Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America. (20052005).

Honorary Alumnus, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. (20052005).

UNT President's Council University Teaching Award, UNT President's Council. (20042004).

Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. (20032003).

Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Who's Who Among America's Teachers. (20022002).

Nominated for: 'Fessor Graham Award, UNT Student Government Association. (20012001).

Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. (20012001).

Honorary Member, UNT Golden Key National Honor Society. (19991999).

Nominated for: Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni Teaching Award, Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni. (19961996).

Excellence in Teaching Award, Princeton University Engineering Council. (19961996).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

Book
Quintanilla, J. A., Brand, N., Bittinger, M. (2006). Calculus for the Life Sciences. New York: Addison-Wesley.
Conference Proceeding
Quintanilla, J. A., Liu, J., D'Souza, N. A., Mirshams, R. A. (2007). Integration of Engineering Concepts in Freshman Calculus. AC 2007-1878.
Journal Article
Quintanilla, J. (2022). A New Derivation of Snell's Law Without Calculus. College Mathematics Journal. 53(2), 140-145.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2018). Developing Intuition for Logarithms. Mathematics Teacher. 112(1), 80.
Cobb, S. L., McPherson, M. A., Molina, D. J., Quintanilla, J. A., Rasmussen, E., Rous, J. J. (2018). Teaching Economics to the Masses: The Effects of Student Help Centers on Academic Outcomes. International Review of Economics Education. 27(January 2018), 16-23.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2017). Deriving the Regression Line with Algebra. Mathematics Teacher. 111(8), 594-598.
Brand, N., Quintanilla, J. A. (2013). Modeling Terminal Velocity. College Mathematics Journal. 44(1), 57-61.
Scherer, G., Zhang, J., Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (2012). Hydration and Percolation at the Setting Point. Cement and Concrete Research. 42, 665-672.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2008). Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for the Two-Point Phase Probability Function of Two-Phase Random Media. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Science. 464, 1761-1779.
Quintanilla, J. A., Ziff, R. M. (2007). Asymmetry of Percolation Thresholds of Fully Penetrable Disks with Two Different Radii. Physical Review E. 76, 051115.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2007). Fallacies, Flaws, and Flimflam. College Mathematics Journal. 38(5), 375-376.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2007). The Taylor Polynomials of cos x. College Mathematics Journal. 38(1), 58-59.
Quintanilla, J. A., Jones, W. (2007). Using Convex Quadratic Programming to Model Random Media with Gaussian Random Fields. Physical Review E. 75, 046709.
Quintanilla, J. A., Chen, J., Reidy, R. F., Allen, A. J. (2007). Versatility and Robustness of Gaussian Random Fields for Modeling Random Media. Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering. 15, S337-S352.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2006). Measures of Clustering in Systems of Overlapping Particles. Mechanics of Materials. 38, 848-857.
Zuyev, S., Quintanilla, J. A. (2003). Estimation of Percolation Thresholds via Percolation in Inhomogeneous Media. Journal of Mathematical Physics. 44, 6040-6046.
Quintanilla, J. A., Reidy, R. F., Gorman, B. P., Mueller, D. W. (2003). Gaussian Random Field Models of Aerogels. Journal of Applied Physics. 93, 4584-4589.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2002). Ascending and Descending Fractions. Mathematics Teacher. 95, 539-542.
Brostow, W. K., Cunha, A. M., Quintanilla, J. A., Simoes, R. (2002). Crack Formation and Propagation in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Polymer Liquid Crystals. Macromolecular Theory and Simulations. 11, 308-314.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2001). Measurement of the Percolation Threshold for Fully Penetrable Disks of Different Radii. Physical Review E. 63, 061108.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S., Ziff, R. (2000). Efficient Measurement of the Percolation Threshold for Fully Penetrable Disks. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General. 33, L399-L407.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1999). Local Volume Fraction Fluctuations in Periodic Heterogeneous Media. Journal of Chemical Physics. 110, 3215-3219.
Quintanilla, J. A. (1999). Microstructure and Properties of Random Heterogeneous Materials: A Review of Theoretical Results. Polymer Engineering & Science. 39, 559-585.
Quintanilla, J. A. (1999). Microstructure Functions for Random Media with Impenetrable Particles. 60, 5788-5794.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1999). Percolation in a Model of Statistically Inhomogeneous Random Media. Journal of Chemical Physics. 111, 5947-5955.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1997). Clustering in a Continuum Percolation Model. Advances in Applied Probability. 29, 327-336.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1997). Local Volume Fraction Fluctuations in Random Media. Journal of Chemical Physics. 106, 2741-2751.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1997). Microstructure Functions for a Model of Statistically Inhomogeneous Random Media. Physical Review E. 55, 1558-1565.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1996). Clustering Properties of d-Dimensional Overlapping Spheres. Physical Review E. 53, 5331-5339.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1996). Lineal Measures of Clustering in Overlapping Particle Systems. Physical Review E. 54, 4027-4036.
Quintanilla, J. A., T, S. (1996). Microstructure and Conductivity of Hierarchical Laminate Composites. Physical Review E. 53, 4368-4378.
Quintanilla, J. A., Torquato, S. (1995). New Bounds on the Elastic Moduli of Suspensions of Spheres. Journal of Applied Physics. 77, 4361-4372.
Magazine/Trade Publication
Quintanilla, J. (2022). Parabolic Properties from Pieces of String. Math Horizons. 29(3), 20-23.
Quintanilla, J. (2021). HyFlex Teaching During the Pandemic (and Beyond?). Focus. 41(4), 22-24.
Quintanilla, J. A. (2016). Name That Tune: Teaching Predicate Logic with Popular Culture. Focus. 36(4), 27-28.
Harris, M. M., Quintanilla, J. A., McDonald, J., Watson, C. G. (2012). Preparing Science and Math Teachers at the University of North Texas. 11-13.
Quintanilla, J. A. (1998). Beyond the Chalkboard: The Job of a Math Professor. 5(4), 10.
Research Report
Eddy, C. M., Quintanilla, J. A., Pratt, S., Friday, S. M., Bush, B. (2017). UNT Secondary NCTM CAEP SPA Report.

Presentations Given

Oral Presentation

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Seminar in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, How Precalculus Students Can Find the Decimal Expansions of Logarithms, UNT Department of Mathematics, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2017).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Seminar in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, Techniques for Teaching Students How to Write Proofs, UNT Department of Mathematics, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2017).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Seminar in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, Teaching Predicate Logic with Popular Culture, UNT Department of Mathematics, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2016).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Seminar in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, Lecturing and Time Management, UNT Department of Mathematics, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2016).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Seminar in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, A Mathematics Course for Future Secondary Teachers, UNT Department of Mathematics, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2014).

Professional Meeting Contribution

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), Kringen, T. (Presenter), Mendez, A. (Presenter), 2014 UTeach Institute-NMSI Conference, A Capstone Course for Future Secondary Teachers, UTeach Institute/NMSI, Austin, Texas, United States of America. (2014).

Scholarly Meeting Contribution

Quintanilla, J. (Author & Presenter), 101st Annual Meeting of the Texas Section of the MAA, Concavity and Orthogonality at Saddle Points, Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Online, United States of America. (20212021).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), 97th Annual Meeting of the Texas Section of the MAA, How Precalculus Students Can Find the Decimal Expansions of Logarithms, Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Commerce, Texas, United States of America. (2017).

Quintanilla, J. A. (Presenter), 96th Annual Meeting of the Texas Section of the MAA, Teaching Predicate Logic with Popular Culture, Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Nacogdoshes, Texas, United States of America. (2016).

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Grant - Research
Siller Carrillo, H. R. (Co-Principal), D'Souza, N. A. (Principal), Quintanilla, J. (Co-Principal), Ro, H. (Co-Principal), Huffman, D. (Co-Principal), Keathly, D. (Supporting), "Establishing a Journey of Inclusion, Identity and Intersectionality through Guided Pathways to Enhance Latinx Success in Engineering and Computer Science," Sponsored by NSF, Federal, $799904 Funded. (October 15, 2021September 30, 2024).
Eddy, C. M. (Principal), Harrell, P. E. (Co-Principal), Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), Hughes, L. E. (Co-Principal), Pratt, S. (Co-Principal), "UNT Science and Mathematics Robert Noyce Scholarships," Sponsored by National Science Foundation, Federal, $749965 Funded. (September 01, 2010August 31, 2016).
Uncategorized
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Teach North Texas Math and Science Teacher Scholarship Program," Sponsored by National Mathematics and Science Initiative and Greater Texas Foundation, $150000. (20082008).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Teach North Texas: Functions and Modeling," Sponsored by Educational Advancement Foundation, $21150. (20082008).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Teach North Texas," Sponsored by National Mathematics and Science Initiative and Greater Texas Foundation, $2400000. (20072007).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Planning for an Innovative Interdisciplinary Mechanical and Energy Engineering Curriculum," Sponsored by National Science Foundation, $99954. (20052005).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Research Ex¬periences for Teachers supplement to Planning for an Innovative Interdisciplinary Mechan¬ical and Energy Engineering Curriculum," Sponsored by National Science Foundation, $20000. (20052005).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Percolation Phenomena for Fully Penetrable Disks and Spheres," Sponsored by University of North Texas, Junior Faculty Summer Research Fellowship, $5000. (20002000).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Distributed Learning Statistics Course and Virtual Statistics Center," Sponsored by University of North Texas, $5200. (19991999).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Co-Principal), "Virtual Statistics Center," Sponsored by University of North Texas, $7700. (19991999).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Other), "Junior Faculty Summer Research Fellowship. Project Title: Characterizing the Microstructure of Random Heterogeneous Materials," Sponsored by University of North Texas, $3500. (19971997).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Other), "RIP Category (Summer 1997); Project Title: Characterizing the Microstructure of Random Heterogeneous Materials," Sponsored by University of North Texas, $2500. (19971997).
Quintanilla, J. A. (Other), "Junior Faculty Summer Research Fellowship; Project Title: Microstructure and Effective Properties for a New Model of Random Hetero¬geneous Materials," Sponsored by University of North Texas, $3500. (19881988).

Awards and Honors

Best Paper, 2018, International Review of Economics Education. (April 10, 2019 – Present).

Teacher of Merit, Intel Science Talent Search. (20082008).

Texas Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) Fellow, Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America. (19971998).

National Science Foundation Minority Graduate Fellowship, National Science Foundation. (19921992).

Predoctoral Fellowship for Minorities, Ford Foundation. (19921992).

Service

University Service

Member, Community College Connections Committee. (November 2020 – Present).

Member, EAB Analytics Team. (July 2019 – Present).

Member, Digital Strategy Innovation Advisory Committee. (January 2019 – Present).

Chairperson, Learning Spaces Strategy Committee. (January 2019 – Present).

Member, Study Abroad Task Force. (October 2018 – Present).

Co-Chair, College of Science Curriculum Committee. (August 2017 – Present).

Co-Chair, Council of Advisors. (August 2017 – Present).

Member, Academic Associate Deans Committee. (March 2017 – Present).

Member, University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. (March 2017 – Present).

Member, UNT 2050 Visioning Group. (November 2019March 2020).

Member, Field of Study Work Group. (October 2019January 2020).

Member, Wait List Task Force. (August 2018August 2019).

Member, Department of Mathematics Outreach Committee. (August 2018July 2019).

Member, Space Analysis Committee. (August 2018July 2019).

Member, Dean Reappointment Committee. (December 2018May 2019).

Member, Automated Scheduling Committee. (August 2018April 2019).

Committee Chair, Higher Achieving Student Retention Subcommittee. (November 2018March 2019).

Committee Member, Applied Mathematics Qualifying Exam Committee. (20162018).

Committee Member, UNT Distinguished Teaching Professor Committee. (20152018).

Member, Classroom Building Committee. (August 2017December 2017).

Faculty Advisor, Undergraduate Advisor. (20072017).

Committee Member, Statistics Hiring Committee. (20152016).

Committee Member, SETE Task Force. (20142016).

Committee Member, Probability/Statistics Qualifying Exam Committee. (20102016).

Committee Member, TAMS Selection Committee. (February 2015April 2016).

Member, Faculty Senate Budget Committee. (20122015).

Co-Director, Teach North Texas. (20082015).

Committee Member, Lecturer Executive Committee. (20092009).

Committee Member, Executive Committee. (20082009).

Committee Member, Undergraduate Affairs Committee. (20052009).

Committee Member, Complex Analysis Qualifying Exam Committee. (20002009).

Committee Member, Grade Appeal Committee. (20082008).

Other, TAMS Fall Convocation. (20002008).

Other. (19982008).

Other, "What do Award-Winning Teachers Do?". (20072007).

Other, 10th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20072007).

Other, 9th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20072007).

Committee Member, Math 1010 Textbook Committee. (20072007).

Committee Member, Math 1680 Textbook Committee. (20072007).

Committee Member, Applied Probability/Statistics Hiring Committee. (20062007).

Committee Member, Industry Relations Committee. (20062007).

Committee Member, UNT Foundations of Excellence Learning Dimension Committee. (20062007).

Other, 8th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20062006).

Committee Member, Lecturer Hiring Committee. (20062006).

Committee Member, CAS Undergraduate Affairs Committee. (20052006).

Committee Member, University Review Committee. (20032006).

Other, 7th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20052005).

Commencement Speaker. (20052005).

Committee Member, Grade Appeal Committee. (20052005).

Committee Member, Math 1710/1720/2730 Textbook Committee. (20052005).

URC Investigative Subcommittee. (20052005).

Committee Member, Scholarship/Selection Committee. (20032005).

Committee Member, Space Committee. (20012005).

Other, 6th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20042004).

Committee Chair, Applied Statistics Subcommittee. (20042004).

Other, 5th Annual Texas McNair Research Conference. (20032003).

Committee Member, Math 1680 Textbook Committee. (20032003).

Other, TAMS Moving-In Day. (19992003).

Committee Chair, Grade Appeal Committee. (20022002).

Other, TAMS Interview Day. (20012001).

Other, UNT College of Arts & Sciences Ambassadors. (20012001).

Committee Member, Computer Committee. (20002001).

Faculty Advisor, UNT Mathematical Contest in Modeling teams. (20002001).

Other, 11th Annual Meeting of the Hispanic Friends of the University of North Texas. (20002000).

Committee Member, Grade Appeal Committee. (20002000).

Committee Member, Math 1710/1720/2730 Textbook Committee. (20002000).

Committee Member, Real Analysis Qualifying Exam Committee. (19992000).

Committee Member, Space Committee. (19992000).

Committee Member, TAMS Disciplinary Appeal Committee. (19991999).

Committee Member, Computer Committee. (19981999).

Committee Member, Undergraduate Affairs Committee. (19981999).

Program Coordinator, Mathematics Awareness Week. (19971999).

Committee Member, Math 1680 Textbook Committee. (19981998).

Other, 1997 TAMS Summer Orientation. (19971998).

Other, Letters of recommendation. (19971998).

Other, TAMS Family Weekend. (19971997).

Library Faculty Focus Group. (19961996).

Professional Service

Member, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, Austin, Texas. (September 2017May 2021).

Reviewer, Journal Article, Several Journals, Denton, Texas. (2019).

Reviewer, Journal Article, Several Journals, Denton, Texas. (2018).

Reviewer, Journal Article, Several Journals, Denton, Texas. (2017).

Other, Annual Meeting of the North Texas Commission, Dallas, Texas. (20002000).

Other, UIL SuperConference. (19991999).

Other, Nortel College Fair, Richardson, Texas. (19981998).

Public Service

Program Organizer, Denton Calvary Academy Mathcounts Team, Denton, Texas. (20152018).

Other, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Denton, USA. (February 2017).

Program Organizer, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Science Fair, Denton, Texas. (20132015).

Guest Speaker, Denton Public Library Pi Day Activities, Denton, Texas. (March 14, 2015).

Consulting

Academic, Graduate Record Examination Quantitative Exam, United States of America. (20002015).

Academic, M. Marder, Research Methods, United States of America. (20092009).

For Profit Organization, Tour Andover Controls, United States of America. (20052005).

Academic, M. L. Bittinger, Calculus and Its Applications, United States of America. (20002002).

Academic, Random Heterogeneous Materials: Microstructure and Macroscopic Properties, United States of America. (19992000).

Awards and Honors

Faculty Service Award, UNT Department of Mathematics. (20122012).

UNT President's Council University Service Award, UNT President's Council. (20102010).