David McKinnon - 2022/2023

David McKinnon - Pure Mathematics

Dr. David McKinnon joined the department of Pure Mathematics in 2001 after completing his PhD from Berkeley and spending two years as an Assistant Professor at Tufts University. He is a fantastic teacher, as is evidenced by his being a recipient of the Faculty of Mathematics’ Award for Distinction in Teaching in 2008, and later the University’s Distinguished Teacher Award in 2017. Despite having taken on significant administrative tasks, including Associate Dean, Undergraduate in the Faculty of Mathematics and the Chair of Pure Mathematics, Dr. McKinnon seems to have an unlimited ability to find time for his many students. Traditionally, pure mathematicians have far fewer graduate students than in many other disciplines. With 10 PhD students and 25 master’s students to date, Dr. McKinnon is on his way to being one of the most prolific supervisors in the department’s history.

Former students were uniformly effusive in their praise of Dr. McKinnon. One student remarked; “Dr. McKinnon is one of the most organized, open-minded, dedicated, and empathetic professors I have ever had the privilege of working with”. Another student noted, “it is rare to find someone possessing such a high aptitude for teaching combined with Dr. McKinnon's level of brilliance, mixed in with the strong passion he has for helping his students succeed”. It was clear from the many letters of support by colleagues and students that David McKinnon has had a profound impact on those who have worked with him and has contributed immensely to the success of his department and university.