Kianoosh's Site

About Me

My name is Kianoosh Shokri. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics at the University of Ottawa, specializing in combinatorial designs, finite geometry, and finite fields. Beyond research, I bring nearly ten years of teaching experience and have explored innovative approaches to mathematics education. I am currently teaching Calculus I as a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa.

About my research

In my Ph.D. work, I use the rich structures of finite geometry and finite fields to develop new constructions of covering arrays. These arrays play a central role in t-way interaction testing in software engineering, cryptography, and experimental design, where they significantly reduce test size while maintaining full coverage.

Key motivation in my research

Throughout my master’s and Ph.D. studies, I have worked on open problems that required connecting different areas of mathematics. My Ph.D. research involves applying ideas from finite fields, finite geometry, and combinatorial designs to create novel constructions that meet specific goals. In my master’s research, I explored properties of finite groups to design systematic colorings that achieve the chromatic number of Latin squares derived from those groups. The excitement of exploring deep connections between different mathematical areas centered around open problems is what first sparked, and continues to drive, my passion for research.

Key motivation in my teaching

Teaching mathematics is a journey through both my own thinking and my students’ minds. The way we approach and solve problems reveals the hidden structures of mathematics and inspires the creation of new ideas and areas within it.

Education

Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada (Expected 2025).
Ph.D. Thesis: Constructing new families of covering arrays using finite geometry and finite fields
Supervisor: Prof. Lucia Moura
M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran (2013–2015).
Master’s Thesis: On the Latin squares of groups and their coloring
Supervisor: Prof. E. S. Mahmoodian
B.Sc. in Pure Mathematics, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran (2009–2013).

My CV

My CV is available here.

Teaching

I believe that the primary role of a mathematics teacher is to guide students in discovering mathematical concepts and then developing and extending these ideas to build further knowledge. My goal is not only to teach mathematical concepts and their applications in students' respective fields of study or in daily life, but also to teach them how to think critically and strategically when solving problems. I want students to understand how they can use their foundational knowledge to approach more advanced topics, how to identify the right questions that will lead them to solutions, and how to leverage available tools—whether mathematical formulas, computational software, or even self-created methods—to solve problems. The journey of learning mathematics begins in the classroom, and this adventure requires a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where students can trust in themselves, their peers, and their teachers. I believe it is the teacher's responsibility to create such an atmosphere where students can flourish and reach their full potential. My hope is to inspire students to harness the power of their minds and to see that this power can be reflected in the beauty and utility of mathematics.

Mathematics Teaching Experiences

2025–Present: Part-time Professor, University of Ottawa

Course: Calculus 1 (Fall 2025)
Course: Calculus 2 (Winter 2025)

2011–Present: Teaching Assistant

I maintain direct contact with students for at least 10 hours a week, in addition to grading and proctoring exams.

(2021–Present) University of Ottawa

Calculus 1 (Fall 2021, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Fall 2024)
Calculus 2 (Winter 2022)
Introduction to Linear Algebra (Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Winter 2023)
Discrete Math for Computing (Summer 2022, Winter 2023, Winter 2024)
Calculus for Life Science 1 (Fall 2022, Fall 2023)
Mathematical Reasoning and Proof (Summer 2023, Summer 2024)

(2011–2013) Shahid Beheshti University

Calculus 1 (Fall 2011)
Calculus 2 (Winter 2012)
Number Theory (Fall 2013)

2009–2021: Mathematics and Geometry Teacher

The mathematics and geometry topics taught include:

Mathematics: Calculus, Algebra, Number Theory, Probability, and Statistics
Euclidean Geometry: Axioms, lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles

(2015–2021) Allame Helli 1 of Tehran (NODET)

Grades 7, 8, 9 – Math and Geometry
Extracurricular: Set Theory, Proof Without Words, Number Theory, Graph Theory

(2019–2021) Negaresh High School

Grades 7, 8 – Math and Geometry

(2017, 2019–2021) Allame Helli 2 of Tehran (NODET)

Grades 7, 8 – Math and Geometry

(2009, 2013–2015) Various Institutions

Ghalamchi Institute of Pardis – Grade 10
AmirAlmomenin High School – Grade 10

2019: Origami Theme Workshops

Held at Allame Helli 1 and 2 (Grade 8)

Teaching geometry concepts through origami
Enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Developing teamwork and social skills

2019: Probability Theme Workshops

Held at Allame Helli 2 (Grade 7)

Teaching probability using interactive games and software
Exploring real-life problems and statistical patterns
Encouraging critical thinking and teamwork

2016–2018: Geometry Question Designer

First level of 4^th and 5^th Iranian Geometry Olympiad

Seminars

On the intersection of circles from three truncated Möbius planes and a construction of strength-4 covering arrays
Invited presentation, CanaDAM 2025
Minisymposium session: Combinatorial Designs and Graph Decompositions
Canada, Ottawa, May 20–23, 2025
What theorems may come: From clues in finite geometry to a construction of a CA(3q⁴ – 2; 4, (q² + 1)/2, q)
Contributed presentation, Ontario Combinatorics Workshop
Canada, Ottawa, May 2025
Improving upper bounds on the size of some covering arrays of strength 3
Invited presentation, Ottawa Mathematics and Statistics Conference (student paper prize talk)
Canada, Ottawa, May 2025
A construction of strength-4 covering arrays using three k-caps in PG(3, q)
Invited presentation, CMS Winter Meeting
Combinatorial Design Theory session
Canada, Vancouver, December 2024
Improving upper bounds on the size of some covering arrays of strength 3
Invited presentation, CMS Winter Meeting
Combinatorial Design Theory session
Canada, Montreal, December 2023
Improving upper bounds on the size of some covering arrays of strength 3
Invited presentation, Carleton Finite Fields Seminar
Canada, Ottawa, May 2023
Improving upper bounds on the size of some covering arrays of strength 3
Contributed presentation, Ontario Combinatorics Workshop
Canada, Ottawa, May 2023

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