James Powell

2026 Cazier Professor Lifetime Achievement Award Nominee

College of Arts & Sciences | Department of Mathematics & Statistics

James (Jim) Powell is a professor of Applied Mathematics, specializing in mathematical models and analysis techniques applied to ecology, biology and engineering. Jim was an undergraduate researcher in Atmospheric Sciences at Colorado State University, where he encountered the joy and challenges of cross-disciplinary mathematical research. This led to University of Arizona, an early interdisciplinary applied math program, where he earned a PhD in math applied to fluid dynamics and nonlinear optics. Jim was hired at USU in 1991 (from 800 applicants). Consulting with the Logan Forest Science Lab kicked off a 33-year long trajectory in mathematical biology. Along the way he collaborated with researchers across multiple disciplines, imbedded himself (and students) in field and lab projects, developed contextual approaches to math education, and was invited to be the rotating Program Director in Mathematical Biology at the National Science Foundation. USU (and the West) pulled him back to serve as interim department head; seven months later he managed the COVID transition to online education (involving 3,000+ students enrolled in more than 150 classes across Utah). Jim has grown beyond hair and graduated from back-country skiing to long country walks and camping. Finishing his book (IGAMBi – the “Idiots Guide to Applied Math in Biology”), weapons-grade pasta, and searching for the perfect burrito are his continuing passions.