Joel Hass

A photo of a smiling middle-aged couple in warm coats by a lake and pine trees.

Letter from the Chair, Spring 2026

  • by Bruno Nachtergaele, Department Chair

In just a few days I will hand the reins of the Department of Mathematics to the experienced hands of my colleague Joel Hass. Joel has served as department chair for 4 years (2010-2014). Through a number of leadership functions on campus he also acquired deep knowledge of all aspects of the university organization. I am very grateful he agreed to step back into the department chair role for 2026-27. 

Students walk on a tree-lined sidewalk, with one pushing a bicycle.

Undergraduate Program, 2026

  • by Elena Fuchs, Vice Chair for Undergraduate Affairs

It has been another busy year for our undergraduate mathematics programs, with many exciting changes on the horizon. This year, our Undergraduate Program Committee is leading teams of faculty members in a review of all four of our majors – Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Analytics and Operations Research, and Scientific Computation – with a view towards modernizing and improving what our current programs offer. The intent is to both add breadth to our current course offering, and to add support to mathematics students in the form of discussions across all of our classes.

Maria Trnkova smiles in front of a bush with tiny flowers.

Joining Us: Maria Trnkova

Maria received her Ph.D. in 2012 from Palacky University in the Czech Republic, but most of her study time she spent at Princeton University, where she worked under the supervision of David Gabai. Afterwards, she was an instructor at Caltech and in 2016 she joined UC Davis, first as a KAP and then continued as a lecturer. She is primarily interested in Geometry and Topology. She had collaborated with Joel Hass on imaging problems. After a break for sabbatical and maternal leaves, she is excited to be back in the department and teaching again.

Subscribe to Joel Hass Content