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Robert S. Doran (born) is a mathematician and professor of Mathematics at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, TX.

Education and personal life

Doran is a native of __________. His parents are _____________________. Following graduation from high school Doran served in the United States Military with the U.S. Army Special Forces, 82nd Airborne Division as a Green Beret, Ranger, and jungle survival instructor in Panama. When he completed his term in the military Doran to apply the discipline he learned from the military to his education. Doran enrolled as a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the summer of 1958. Then he transferred and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. Doran is married to Shirley and they have been married for over 50 years. They have ___ children, ____ and _____.

Career

Doran has been on the faculty of TCU since the fall of 1969. In addition to being the Mathematics Department Chairman at TCU, he has been a visiting scholar at the University of Oxford in England, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Texas at Austin.

Achievements

Doran is highly recognized within his respective field. In 1971 Doran solved a famous—and previously unsolved—mathematical problem questioning whether an algebra remains symmetric when an identity is put in. The problem was proposed in 1949 in mathematical literature by legendary mathematician Irving Kaplansky of the University of Chicago. The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. invited Doran to serve on their board. From 1990-1999 Doran served as the president of the board. Previous members of this board include scholars like Albert Einsten and Robert Oppenheimer. Also, Doran received the National CASE-Carnegie Gold Medal in 1988. The Mathematical Association of America named him “Texas Professor of the Year”.

Publications

In accordance with many textbooks, Doran has published more than 300 reviews for academic mathematical journals.

Solving Mathematical Problems

Doran outlines three techniques for solving mathematical problems. 1) Attempt to characterize complicated mathematical objects by showing they look like familiar objects. Doran said, “When objects are structurally the same, we say the objects are ‘isomorphic’ or homeomorphic’ to each other.” 2) Break up the very complicated mathematical objects into much simpler pieces. 3) Use representation theory to help place the abstract mathematical system into a familiar system.

Teaching Techniques

Dorran has 8 principles that he believes every teacher should strive to accomplish in their teaching.
 * 1) Learn the students by name
 * 2) Thank students for coming to class and send notes of appreciation
 * 3) Realize that the course you teach is only part of a rigorous academic load
 * 4) Keep your subject matter interesting
 * 5) Announce exams well in advance and quickly return graded test and quizzes
 * 6) Keep the classroom environment lively with personal stories and anecdotes
 * 7) Utilize puzzles, optical illusions and unusual example to keep the students engaged
 * 8) All students are infinitely precious and special

Religious Affiliation

Doran is a man of faith. He is a member of a local Southern Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX. He faithfully attends and supports the ministries of the church.