Tevian Dray
Encyclopedia
Tevian Dray is an American mathematician
who has worked in general relativity
, mathematical physics
,
Geometry
, science
and mathematical
education.
He has primarily worked in the area of classical general relativity. His
research results include confirmation of the existence of solutions of
Einstein's equation containing gravitational radiation, the use of
computer algebra to classify exact solutions of Einstein's equation, an
analysis of a class of gravitational shock waves (including one of the few
known exact 2-body solutions
in general relativity), and
the study of signature
change, a possible model for the
Big Bang
. More recently, his work has focused on applications of the
octonions to the theory of fundamental particles.
He was a graduate student under Rainer Sachs at
Berkeley
, where he received his Ph.D.
in 1981, although much of his dissertation research was done in collaboration with
Abhay Ashtekar
. The context of his dissertation, titled The Asymptotic Structure of a Family of Einstein-Maxwell Solutions was mostly focused on the families of space-time. Specifically, the ones which describe accelerating black holes contain gravitational radiation. This demonstrated the existence of exact radiating solutions to the Einstein field equations
. He is currently a professor of mathematics at
Oregon State University
. In addition to his ongoing work in mathematical physics,
he has made significant contributions in science education, where he directs
the Vector Calculus Bridge Project
, an attempt to teach vector
calculus the way it is used by scientists and engineers, and is part of the
development team of the Paradigms Project
, a complete
restructuring of the undergraduate physics major around several core
"paradigms".
who has worked in general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
, mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
,
Geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
, science
Science education
Science education is the field concerned with sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the scientific community. The target individuals may be children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education comprises...
and mathematical
Mathematics education
In contemporary education, mathematics education is the practice of teaching and learning mathematics, along with the associated scholarly research....
education.
He has primarily worked in the area of classical general relativity. His
research results include confirmation of the existence of solutions of
Einstein's equation containing gravitational radiation, the use of
computer algebra to classify exact solutions of Einstein's equation, an
analysis of a class of gravitational shock waves (including one of the few
known exact 2-body solutions
Two-body problem
In classical mechanics, the two-body problem is to determine the motion of two point particles that interact only with each other. Common examples include a satellite orbiting a planet, a planet orbiting a star, two stars orbiting each other , and a classical electron orbiting an atomic nucleus In...
in general relativity), and
the study of signature
Metric signature
The signature of a metric tensor is the number of positive and negative eigenvalues of the metric. That is, the corresponding real symmetric matrix is diagonalised, and the diagonal entries of each sign counted...
change, a possible model for the
Big Bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
. More recently, his work has focused on applications of the
octonions to the theory of fundamental particles.
He was a graduate student under Rainer Sachs at
Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, where he received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1981, although much of his dissertation research was done in collaboration with
Abhay Ashtekar
Abhay Ashtekar
Abhay Vasant Ashtekar is an Indian theoretical physicist. He is the Eberly Professor of Physics and the Director of the Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Pennsylvania State University. As the creator of Ashtekar variables, he is one of the founders of loop quantum gravity and its...
. The context of his dissertation, titled The Asymptotic Structure of a Family of Einstein-Maxwell Solutions was mostly focused on the families of space-time. Specifically, the ones which describe accelerating black holes contain gravitational radiation. This demonstrated the existence of exact radiating solutions to the Einstein field equations
. He is currently a professor of mathematics at
Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
. In addition to his ongoing work in mathematical physics,
he has made significant contributions in science education, where he directs
the Vector Calculus Bridge Project
, an attempt to teach vector
calculus the way it is used by scientists and engineers, and is part of the
development team of the Paradigms Project
, a complete
restructuring of the undergraduate physics major around several core
"paradigms".