Dr. Alyssa Ortiz is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and a faculty member of the Quantitative Reasoning Center at the United States Air Force Academy.  Dr. Ortiz earned her Ph.D. in Applied Science Mathematics from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2015 where her research focused on applying the Inverse Scattering Transform method on various forms of the Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation.  Her research has important applications in low temperature quantum physics, nonlinear optics, and soliton wave solutions.

Before pursuing a career in academics, Dr. Ortiz served as a Cyberspace Officer in the United States Air Force.  While active duty, she supported worldwide communication infrastructure as a member of the 3rd Combat Communications Group in Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City from 2007 to 2010.  She earned her Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, then served as a military faculty member in the Department of Mathematical Sciences from 2011 to 2015.  She then honorably separated from the Air Force in order to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in academics.

Ph.D. in Applied Science Mathematics – University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2015 – 2019)

M.S. in Applied Mathematics – University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2010 – 2011)

B.S. in Physics – United States Air Force Academy (2003 – 2007)

Academic Experience

Assistant Professor of Mathematics – Quantitative Reasoning Center and Department of Mathematical Sciences – United States Air Force Academy (2019 – present)

Instructor of Mathematics – Quantitative Reasoning Center and Department of Mathematical Sciences – United States Air Force Academy (2018 – 2019)

Lecturer – Department of Mathematics – University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2016 – 2018)

Instructor of Mathematics – Department of Mathematical Sciences – United States Air Force Academy (2011 – 2015)

Courses Taught:

• Math 141 – Calculus I
• Math 142 – Calculus II
• Math 245 – Differential Equations
• Math 344 – Matrices and Differential Equations

Non-Academic Experience

Combat Support Flight Commander – 32nd Combat Communications Squadron – Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City (2009 – 2010)

Communications Officer – 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron – Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar (2009)

Officer in Charge of Data Network Workcenter – 32nd Combat Communications Squadron – Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City (2007 – 2009)

Professional Affiliations

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

American Mathematical Society (AMS)

2017 – Received Mentored Doctoral Fellowship Scholarship from the Graduate School for outstanding contributions in mathematical research – University of Colorado Colorado Springs

2014 – Brigadier General Litwhiler Award for Mathematics Course Director of the Year – United States Air Force Academy

2013 – Colonel Tony M. Johnson Annual Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics – United States Air Force Academy

2007 – Distinguished Graduate – United States Air Force Academy

Inverse Scattering Transform

Soliton Wave Solutions

Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation