The Mind Behind The Math!
Francis J. Conlan was born in Bristol, Connecticut. He has a strong academic and professional background, including 11 years of undergraduate study. During this time, he earned several degrees, including a BA in Mathematics, Physics, and Microbiology, as well as BS degrees in Chemistry and Business Finance. He then spent 20 years in graduate studies, earning a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry, an MA in Mathematics, and two MS degrees in Statistics and Applied Mathematics.
From 1988 to 1995, Conlan was an Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics at Santa Clara University, where he developed and taught courses such as Ordinary Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics for Engineering students, and Numerical Methods. He also published 27 volumes of problem-solving manuals, benefiting around 700 engineering graduate students. His work in computer algorithms and applied mathematics made a lasting impact on both industry and academia.
Before this, from 1980 to 1988, he taught undergraduate students at California State University (CSU), using cooperative learning methods to help struggling students succeed in remedial mathematics. His expertise also extended to environmental science. From 1978 to 1981, he worked at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), where he developed theoretical models to analyze air quality and helped implement the Federal Clean Air Act in California. He also served as a Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where his work on the Sub Master Equation in Chemical Kinetics gained recognition in scientific journals.
With his vast teaching and research experience, Conlan began writing in 1978. He has published 41 works, aiming to make complex mathematical and scientific ideas simple and engaging. His writing covers topics like arithmetic, mathematics, probability, complex modeling, and statistical mechanics. He is inspired by authors such as John Stillwell, Paul J. Nahin, Euclid, and C. F. Gauss, as well as philosophical thinkers like Johnjoe McFadden, Erik Hoel, and Bulent Atalay.
His writing process includes short breaks of 20-30 minutes, and he prefers using a Texas Instrument TI-89 Titanium calculator. When conducting research, he follows a detailed and hands-on approach. One of his biggest challenges was getting published, and he sees each publication as a major accomplishment. His writing style is simple and clear, with many examples to help readers understand difficult concepts easily.
Conlan lives by the motto, “Work hard and never give in or give up.” He continues to explore new ideas in science and mathematics, striving to share meaningful knowledge. His future projects aim to bring fresh perspectives to traditional subjects, ensuring his contributions as a scholar and writer will last for years to come.