Dr. Frank Sottile, professor of mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University, solves complex mathematical equations that address real-world problems, drives technological innovation and expands our understanding of the man-made and natural worlds.
Sottile’s research interests include combinatorics, convexity/optimization, numerical analysis, algebraic geometry, Hopf algebras, computational mathematics, discrete geometry and mathematical physics. The quality, depth and breadth of his research led to his selection as a 2025 Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), a prestigious honor within the applied mathematics, computational science and data science community, and his election as a 2024 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most distinguished honors within the scientific community.
“Dr. Sottile is a leader in our department’s internationally prominent research group in algebraic geometry and his work is highly influential in the mathematics community and broader research community,” said Dr. Peter Howard, professor and head of the Department of Mathematics. “Individual faculty recognitions such as these highlight the quality of work being done in our department, elevating our college and university nationally and internationally."
A Mind Made For Science
As the son of two schoolteachers, Sottile was a precocious child, learning to read at age three and explaining the concept of mass defect, the difference between the predicted mass and the actual mass of an atom’s nucleus as a kindergartener. By first grade, he had decided to become a scientist. After winning a math competition in middle school and placing fourth in a math contest for high schoolers in Michigan, the trajectory for his academic journey was set.
He earned an undergraduate degree in physics, graduating summa cum laude at Michigan State University, a master’s in mathematical tripos, part lll (with distinction) from Cambridge University (which he attended as a Churchill Scholar) and a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Chicago.
Sottile’s research can be thought of as the engine that drives his teaching, outreach activities and professional service forward.
Currently teaching Real Algebraic Geometry for Applications and serving as director of the department’s Honors and Undergraduate Research, Sottile has advised or served on committees for manys tudents. Many of these students have forged connections with Sottile that go beyond their time at Texas A&M.
Next-Generation Inspiration
Jonah Robinson ’22 met Sottile late in his senior year after deciding to change his major from biomedical sciences to applied mathematics with a concentration in biology. The change would only add one extra semester if Robinson was able to take Math 300. With all other classes full, Sottile’s honors class was his only option.
“I learned so much in Dr. Sottile’s class,” said Robinson. “He is brilliant, and he cares about the academic, professional and personal interests of his students. The course was interesting and challenging, but beyond that, he inspired me to think differently about how I approach and solve problems."
Robinson will graduate with a master’s in mathematics from Texas A&M in May. After earning a doctorate in mathematics, he plans to become a university professor and researcher. "Dr. Sottile has made a huge impact on my life and career," said Robinson. "Initially he was my teacher, but he quickly became my mentor, friend and colleague."
Stottile's desire to share his knowledge and passion for mathematics beyond the classroom began when he was a postdoctoral student.
He is co-founder of Texas A&M’s Mathematics Circle for local middle and high school students, is a frequent presenter at math clubs and circles in the U.S. and around the world and he is a perennial favorite at Texas A&M’'s annual Mathematics and Statistics Fair, known for blending creativity and education in an exploration of math and statistics. Using 3D models of cubes, pyramids, prisms and other shapes, Sottile shows students some of the amazing and interesting aspects of math hoping to inspire the next generation.
A Leader In The Mathematical Community
His professional service includes teaming up with fellow researchers to organize an upcoming program at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics, set for March 8 to June 11, 2027. Additionally, he serves on several scientific committees, as an editor for various journals, is the founding chair of the SIAM Activity Group on Algebraic Geometry and is a frequent speaker at professional meetings and conferences.
The extensive range of Sottile’s mathematical expertise is the catalyst for creating and disseminating new knowledge, mentoring aspiring undergraduate and graduate mathematicians, fostering mathematical curiosity across varied audiences through outreach, organizing scientific meetings and serving in professional societies.
“Teaching, research and service in multiple mathematical disciplines concurrently is a complex endeavor,” said Sottile. “But I am thankful that it is, because it keeps me firing on all cylinders.”
Selected as a 2025 Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Sottile will receive a certificate and be recognized on the SIAM Fellows website, in SIAM News and in a press release. The 2025 Class of SIAM Fellows will be honored at The Third Joint SIAM/CAIMS Annual Meetings (AN25) in Montréal, Québec, Canada on July 28-August 1.
Sottile was also elected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society, by the mathematics section “for distinguished contributions to the field of algebraic geometry and for exemplary service to the mathematics community.”
I learned so much in Dr. Sottile’s class. He is brilliant, and he cares about the academic, professional and personal interests of his students. The course was interesting and challenging, but beyond that, he inspired me to think differently about how I approach and solve problems.
New Fellows will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin (representing science and engineering, respectively) to commemorate their election and will be celebrated at a forum in Washington, D.C. on June 7. The 2024 Fellows class will also be featured in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science in March 2025.
“This year’s class of Fellows are the embodiment of scientific excellence and service to our communities,” said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “At a time when the future of the scientific enterprise in the U.S. and around the world is uncertain, their work demonstrates the value of sustained investment in science and engineering.”
Four additional faculty from the Texas A&M campus have been named members of the 2024 AAAS Fellows class: Dr. Rodolfo M. Nayga, Jr. (Department of Agricultural Economics), Dr. Xiuren Zhang (Department of Biological Sciences), Dr. So-Min Cheong (Department of Public Service and Administration) and Dr. Marcia G. Ory (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health).
To date, 35 current or former Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences faculty members have earned this prestigious honor, according to combined college and AAAS records, in addition to several who hold joint appointments in the College of Arts and Sciences.
In addition to Sottile’s recent recognitions, he was named the inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2012, received the Texas A&M Mathematics Department Award for service in 2009, a National Science Foundation Career Award for early-career faculty (2002-2007) as well as other awards and fellowships.