John Samuel Sterling
Mathematics Graduate Student at Auburn University
Research Interests: Algebraic topology, Vietoris-Rips and Čech complexes, persistent homology, and combinatorial topology.
Academic Employment
2025–present
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University
Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistant
West Lafayette, IN
2023–2025
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Auburn University
Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistant
Auburn, AL
2022–2022
UAH RSESC
Huntsville, AL
UAH RSESC
Research Associate I, Step I
Huntsville, AL
Utilized python integration in large scale SysML models for financial optimization.
Education
2025–present
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University
PhD in Mathematics
West Lafayette, IN
2023–2025
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Auburn University
M.S. in Mathematics
Auburn, AL
Advised by Ziqin Feng.
Thesis: “Vietoris-Rips Complexes of Torus Grids”.
GPA: 4.0
2022
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
B.S. in Mathematics, Minor in Philosophy
Huntsville, AL
GPA: 4.0, summa cum laude
Papers [Interactive Version]
P1
Vietoris-Rips Complexes of Torus Grids
Henry Adams, Adenike Yeside Adetowubo, Hector Barriga-Acosta, Ziqin Feng, John Sterling.
Submitted, 2025.
Talks [Interactive Version]
Seminar
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Auburn GTA Teaching Seminar, Auburn, AL
Auburn Student Research Seminar, Auburn, AL
Outreach
UAH Putnam Club, Huntsville, AL
UAH Philosophy Club, Huntsville, AL
Teaching
Spring 2025
MATH 1610: Calculus I
Auburn University
MATH 1610: Calculus I
Recitation Leader
Auburn University
Hold recitation sessions and office hours twice weekly.
Fall 2024
MATH 1000: College Algebra
Auburn University
MATH 1000: College Algebra
Instructor
Auburn University
Prepared and taught lectures. Created and graded assignments.
Spring 2024
MATH 2660: Linear Algebra
Auburn University
MATH 2660: Linear Algebra
Teaching Assistant
Auburn University
Hold weekly problem solving sessions and office hours.
Fall 2023
MATH 1120: Precalculus Algebra
Auburn University
MATH 1120: Precalculus Algebra
Teaching Assistant
Auburn University
Hold weekly problem solving sessions and office hours.
Awards & Grants
2022
Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement in Mathematics, UAH
2018-2022
UAH President's List, UAH
Awarded every semester.
2018
Undergraduate Astronomy Award
Awarded to students with the highest grade average in Astronomy I & II across all sections.
2018
Undergraduate Physics Award
Awarded to students with the highest grade average in Physics I & II across all sections.
Service & Outreach
Spring 2024, Fall 2024
Mentor at Auburn Directed Reading Program
Auburn, AL
Spring 2025
Volunteer at Mathematical Puzzle Program 2025
Auburn, AL
Fall 2024
Presenter at Destination STEM 2024
Auburn, AL
Spring 2024
Judge at Alabama Science and Engineering Fair
Auburn, AL
2022
Co-organizer at UAH Putnam Club
Huntsville, AL
2018–2020