Colton W. Sawyer, Ph.D

I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Fort Lewis College (FLC) in Durango, CO.  I took a bit of a path across the country for my academics, starting at University of Colorado-Denver (B.S., Mathematics Education), a post-baccalaureate year at Smith College, and then graduate work (M.S., Mathematics 2010 and Ph.D., Applied Mathematics 2013) at North Carolina State University (NCSU) under the guidance of Dr. Hien Tran (NCSU) and Dr. Marina Evans (US EPA).  I spent ten years as an Assistant/Associate Professor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) before deciding to move back to my home state of Colorado.

My primary focus is teaching and developing new courses, particularly in the realms of general education and applied mathematics courses at SNHU.  I enjoy the student population and working with students on research in and outside of the classroom through individual- or course-based projects.  I am also interested in new ways of capturing student engagement through varied projects based on inclusivity of experiences and new pedagogical ideas.  

My mathematical research is based on compartmental modeling with differential equations, namely modeling biological systems using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling techniques.  My current focus is on using PBPK modeling to explore the impacts of dosing regimens of vitamin D (particularly in healthy populations versus patients with chronic kidney disease) but I have also explored PBPK modeling of semi-volatile and volatile compounds and skin models in the past. 

My research into the scholarship of teaching and learning is in the retention of general education students throughout lower-level mathematics courses and their time at institutions.  This could be through projects such as the Automathography or through other interventions - that's what I'm discovering!

Outside of the classroom and research, I am passionate about making a difference for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty on my campus.  I have been involved in various task groups and positions to help make my institutions a better place to work and attend for this population.