Dr. Richard Sommer

Biography

Rick Sommer received Bachelor's and PhD degrees in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and began research in mathematical logic. He held a research position at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) from 1989 to 1990 and became the Gabor Szego Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Stanford in 1990. In 1995, Rick co-founded the Stanford University Mathematics Camp, where he served as Director for 25 years and continues to contribute as a Consultant Instructor. In the mid-90s, he took a leadership role in developing online courses and residential summer programs in Stanford's Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY). In 2012, EPGY transitioned to become part of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS), offering a variety of pre-collegiate programs. Rick played a key role in the design, development, and leadership of these initiatives, eventually serving as Executive Director from 2015 to 2020. Currently, Rick is a Lecturer in Mathematics, teaching various courses, including Math 101, 110, 113, 115, and 161, as well as logic courses in the Philosophy Department. He has a strong interest in mathematics education and creating programs that inspire curiosity in young people.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses