College of Sciences Newsletter Edition 12 May 1, 2002 
The "Spotlight's on Who?" Contest Winner for April Dr. Gary Copeland, Physics, is the winner of the April "Spotlight's on Who?" contest! He is the recipient of a $25 gift certificate good from any Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
AND THE WINNER IS.....
Phyllis Brown awards Gary Copeland his gift certificate
John Adam then...
This is a 1980 (not 1975) photo of Dr. Adam with his second daughter, Lindsay. (Mrs. Adam verified the date and daughter - seems Dr. Adam was a wee bit confused)John Adam now...
Adam earned his B.Sc. degree (first class honors) in physics, and a Ph.D. in theoretical astrophysics, both from the University of London. He was a post-doctoral research fellow in theoretical astronomy at the University of Sussex, then a post-doctoral research fellow in applied mathematics at the University of St. Andrews (Scotland), followed by five years as a professor of mathematics at the New University of Ulster (North Ireland). Adam was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Rochester (NY) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (of all things!) prior to coming to Old Dominion University. He joined the department of Mathematics and Statistics as a full professor of mathematics in 1984. Adam holds the unique distinction of being a University Professor, an honor awarded by former President James V. Koch to faculty who are deemed to be excellent.
Adam's research has covered a variety of areas including astrophysical fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and singular differential equations. During the last 15 years, he has been involved in mathematical biology, specifically developing mathematical models of tumor growth and metastasis, with most recently, mathematical models for wound healing in bone.
Adam has published 85 papers in scientific and mathematical journals, made 65 professional presentations (both invited and contributed) at universities and research institutions, as well as guest lectures at middle-school, high-school and community colleges. He is co-editor of a book on mathematical aspects of tumor/immune system interactions. He has been advisor to 7 Ph.D. students while at Old Dominion, who are now successfully pursuing their own mathematics careers.
While Adam teaches courses at all levels (graduate and undergraduate), his favorite classes are mathematical biology, mathematical fluid dynamics and "Mathematics in Nature," which is a class he recently developed and one he is planning to publish a book on.
