CURRICULUM VITAE
David Benko
Experience:
• 2004- Western Kentucky University, Assistant Professor
• 2001-04 Texas A&M University, Postdoctoral Fellow
• 1997-01 University of South Florida, Teaching Assistant
• 1995-97 University of Szeged (JATE), Hungary, Teaching Assistant
Education:
• 1997-01 University of South Florida, Ph.D. Student in Mathematics
• 1995-97 University of Szeged, Hungary, Ph.D. Student in Mathematics
• 1993-95 University of Szeged, Hungary, Master Student in Mathematics and in Mathematics Education
• 1992-93 University of Warwick, Coventry, England, Attended Mathematics and Computer Science courses
• 1991-92 University of Szeged, Hungary, Undergraduate Student in Mathematics
• 1989-91 University of Loránd Eötvös, Hungary, Undergraduate Student in Mathematics
Degrees:
• 2006 Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Szeged, Hungary, advisor: V. Totik
• 2001 Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of South Florida, advisor: V. Totik
• 1996 M.S. in Mathematics Education, University of Szeged
• 1995 M.S. in Mathematics, University of Szeged
• 1993 B.S. in Mathematics, University of Szeged
Research interests: Approximation theory, numerical analysis, potential theory, polynomial inequalities
Erdõs number: 2 (in 3 different ways)
Publications:
• (with D. Biles, M. Robinson and J. Spraker) Nystrom methods and singular second order differential equations (submitted)
• (with C. Ernst and D. Lanphier) Aymptotic bounds on the integrity of graphs and separator theorems for graphs (submitted)
• (with A. Kroó) A Weierstrass-type theorem for homogeneous polynomials, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. (to appear)
• A new approach to Hilbert's third problem, Amer. Math. Monthly 114 (2007), no. 8, 665-676
• (with S. B. Damelin and P. D. Dragnev) On the
support of the equilibrium measure for arcs of the unit circle and
for real intervals, Electron. Trans. Numer.
Anal. 25 (2006), 27-40
• The support of the equilibrium measure, Acta Sci. Math. (Szeged) 70 (2004), no. 1-2, 35--55. 31A15
• (with T. Erdélyi, and J. Szabados)
The full Markov-Newman inequality for Müntz polynomials on
positive intervals,
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 131 (2003),
no. 8, 2385-2391
• (with T. Erdélyi) Markov inequality
for polynomials of degree n with m distinct zeros, J. Approx. Theory 122
(2003), no. 2, 241-248
• Approximation by weighted polynomials, J. Approx. Theory 120 (2003), no. 1, 153-182
• (with V. Totik) Sets with interior extremal
points for the Markoff inequality, J. Approx. Theory 110 (2001),
no. 2, 261-265
Referee report on my paper about the Hilbert's 3rd problem:
"David Benko gives an elementary new resolution of Hilbert's third problem by resolving the gap in Bricard's 1896 approach. To fill a 110 year old gap, and to do it with a short and elementary argument is an excellent contribution, worthy of a place in "Proofs from the Book" (which he cites), and certainly a paper that the Monthly will want to accept."
Other works (non-refereed):
• The equilibrium measure and the Saff conjecture, Ph.D. dissertation (2006), University of Szeged
• Approximation by weighted polynomials, Ph.D. dissertation (2001), University of South Florida
• On Slowly Diverging Series, Polygon (1995), V.2, 89-100
• On the Number of Legal Chess Positions, Alpha (1995), no.1, 10-11
• Fast decreasing polynomials, Master thesis (1995), University of Szeged
• On the generalization of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, University of Szeged, Research Competition (1995)
• On Slowly Converging Series, Polygon (1994), IV.2, 95-108
Conferences organized:
• 2006 26th Annual Mathematics Symposium at WKU (with P. Sepanski and the Math Dept.)
• 2005 25th Annual Mathematics Symposium at WKU (with P. Sepanski and the Math Dept.)
• 2005 Fourth Summer School on Potential Theory - International Conference, Debrecen, Hungary (with B. Farkas, N. Levenberg, Sz. Révész and S. Szabó)
• 2005 Special Session at the Spring Southeastern AMS Sectional Meeting at WKU (with S. Damelin)
Presentations:
• 20 conference talks. Chairing a session at 6 conferences.
• 18 invited talks
Teaching:
Nominated for Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching as a Graduate Student (1999)
Courses taught:
Calculus I, II, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II, Differential Equations, College Algebra, Trigonometry, Linear Algebra, Business Calculus, Engineering Calculus, Engineering Mathematics III, Number Theory, Finite Mathematics, Advanced Calculus I, Multivariable Calculus, Numerical Analysis, Stochastic Calculus
Committee work and service:
• Chair of a Search Committee
• Chair of the Colloquium/Symposium Committee
• Head Search Committee
• Teacher Education Committee
• Pi Mu Epsilon Honorary National Mathematics Society Committee
• Supervising the operation and maintenance of the computer laboratory
Journals refereed for:
• Asian Journal and Mathematics
• Constructive Approximation
• Demonstratio Mathematica
• Journal d'Analyse Mathematique
• Journal of Approximation Theory
• Journal of the London Mathematical Society
• Mathematics of Computation
• Rocky Mountain Journal of Mathematics
• two books containing survey and research papers
Scholarships and awards:
• 2000, 1999, 1998 Tharp Endowed Award ($2,000), University of South Florida, (awarded to the
best two-three graduate students in Mathematics)
• 1995 University of Szeged Scholarship given to outstanding students
• 1992 TEMPUS Scholarship to the University of Warwick, Coventry, England, (tuition waiver and paid lodging)
Competitions for university and high school students in Hungary:
• 1995 University of Szeged, Research Competition, Second Prize
"On the generalization of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra"
• 1995 Schweitzer National Competition in Mathematics, 4th Prize
• 1994 Schweitzer National Competition in Mathematics, 4th Prize
• 1990 Kürschák National Competition in Mathematics, 4th Prize
• Six prizes achieved at various national competitions for high school students in Mathematics and Computer Science (two first prizes, three second prizes and one honorable mention).
Interests: Expert level chess player, tennis, jogging.
URL: www.davidbenko.com