I completed my PhD in Mathematics at the University of Iowa in May 2026, where I worked with Zahra Aminzare on mathematical models of pump-leak mechanisms for cell volume regulation.
Previously, I worked as a research assistant and lab manager in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa in the LaLumiere Lab and in the Blumberg Lab.
I study the steady states and stability of a generalized pump-leak model to understand how electrochemical and osmotic dynamics enable robust cell volume homeostasis.
Tarrant, K. D., Kay, A., & Aminzare, Z. (2026). Stability and robustness of a generalized pump-leak model for epithelial vesicles. Accepted for publication in Bulletin of Mathematical Biology (June 1, 2026). Preprint: arXiv:2601.08975.
Garnett, C. M., Tarrant, K. D., & Winter, J. (2021). Edge Turncoat Graphs in the Game of Cops and Robbers: The good, the bad and the ugly. Journal of Combinatorial Mathematics and Combinatorial Computing, 116, 143–168. PDF
Freelance AI data annotation work.
Freelance AI data annotation work.
From 2023 to 2024, I was trained by an NSF-funded program to transition math PhDs from academia to industry. I interned at Hero Journey Club (a company that connects therapists and patients through online video games). At Hero Journey Club, I applied NLP to analyze session transcripts and developed LLM-based tools for market research.
Learning and Memory lab in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. As lab manager, I worked directly with institutional review boards and compliance committees. My day-to-day resposibilities included managing undergraduate research personnel, run self-administration experiments, inventory and equipment management.
Sleep lab in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. As a research assistant, I worked in EEG and EMG data collection of postnatal (P5-P12) rats.
Mentored undergraduate students. Courses include College Algebra, Calculus I-III. Proctored exams for College Algebra.
Cognition lab. I worked in data collection and organization of data. Utilized E-Prime software in experiment design.
Web Development in Marketing and Communication. Maintained website content, collected and managed web forms, developed informative content, and advertised events on the website and public web calendar.
Advisor: Dr. Zahra Aminzare
Dissertation: Exploring Mathematical Models of Pump-Leak Mechanisms
Discussion Times: TTh 9:30 AM to 10:20 AM (0002), TTH 10:30 AM to 11:20 AM (0003)
Location: 205 MLH (0002, 0003)
Office Location: B20F MLH
Office Hour: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday.
Syllabus: PDF
Books: Stroyan, K.D. (2016). Advanced Calculus using Mathematica: Notebook Edition. Wolfram.
Discussion Times: TTh 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM (0A20)
Location: 213 MLH (0A20)
Office Location: B20F MLH
Office Hour: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Thursdays
Syllabus: PDF
Books: Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, and Daniels. (2020). yLab Math with PreCalculus, 7th edition.. Pearson.
Discussion Times: TTh 9:30 AM to 10:20 AM (0002), TTH 10:30 AM to 11:20 AM (0003)
Location: 205 MLH (0002, 0003)
Office Location: B20F MLH
Office Hour: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday.
Syllabus: PDF
Books: Stroyan, K.D. (2016). Advanced Calculus using Mathematica: Notebook Edition. Wolfram.
Discussion Times: TTh 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM (0A11), TTH 5:00 PM to 5:50 PM (0A08)
Location: 205 MLH (0A08, 0A11)
Office Location: B20F MLH
Office Hour: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Tuesday.
Syllabus: PDF
Exam Review Sheets:
Books: PreCalculus, 6th edition and Finite Mathematics, 11th edition.
Note:
Time: MTWTh 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM (0083)
Location: 27 MH (0083)
Office Location: B20F MLH
Office Hour: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Tuesday.
Syllabus: PDF
Exam Review Sheets:
Book: Bianconi, R., Farthing, C., Oswald, A., & Poudel, A. (2022). College Algebra Workbook MATH:1005 (Version 5). Department of Mathematics at University of Iowa.
Note:
Discussion Time: TTh 10:30 AM to 11:20 AM (0003)
Discussion Location: 117 MLH (0003)
Office Location: 261 MacBride Hall (MH)
Office Hour: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Tuesday. Other times also available by appointment.
Syllabus: PDF
Exam Review Sheets: Practice final (S16) | Practice final (S17)
Book: Stroyan, K.D. (2016). Advanced Calculus using Mathematica: Notebook Edition. Wolfram.
Note: Dr. Nicholas Camacho has compiled his own helpful notes and examples available on his site.
Discussion Times: TTh 9:30 AM to 10:20 AM (0091), TTh 3:30 PM to 4:20 PM (0332), TTH 5:00 PM to 5:50 PM (0431)
Discussion Locations: 218 MLH (0091), 210 MLH (0332), 221 MLH (0431)
Office Location: 261 MacBride Hall (MH)
Office Hour: 10:30 AM Tuesday. Other times also available by appointment.
Syllabus: PDF
Exam Review Sheets: Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Final
Book: Greenwell, R., Ritchey, N., & Lial, M. (2014). Calculus for the Life Sciences (2nd Ed.). Pearson.
Coordinated departmental seminar.
Notes: Trigonometry Review Notes | Trigonometry Review Worksheet
Notes: Factoring Notes | Factoring Worksheet | Special factorization
Developed a biweekly meeting for graduate students to review and discuss work in Mathematical Biology.
Drafted the organization's constitution and registered Iowa City BrainHack as student organization with the University of Iowa. Invited speakers and developed workshops that bridge research and analyzing data.