Welcome!

My name is David James Pittman Jr., and I am currently working on a Ph.D. in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at Clemson University. My advisor is Dr. Brian Fralix.

My research area is stochastic processes. My current focus is on Polya urns, Polya urn processes, and generalized Polya processes. I have also done some work with matrix-analytic methods on Markov chains, particularly the random product technique developed by Patrick Buckingham and Brian Fralix.

To contact me, please email me at djpittm@clemson.edu.

Educational Background

• B.S., Mathematics, Bob Jones University 2021
• M.S., Mathematical Sciences, Clemson University 2023

My expected graduation date for the Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University is Spring 2027.

Teaching Experience

• STAT 2301 (Statistical Methods I Laboratory) - Spring 2022
• MATH 1030 (Elementary Functions) - Fall 2023, Fall 2024
• MATH 1060 (Calculus of One Variable I) - Fall 2025
• MATH 1080 (Calculus of One Variable II) - Spring 2026

Research Papers

Submitted or Undergoing Revisions

• “A Fresh Look at Calculating the Stationary Distribution of a Markov Chain, with Applications,” joint work with Brian Fralix. Undergoing revisions.

Currently Working On

• “Multivariate Generalized Polya Processes and Related Models,” joint work with Brian Fralix.
• “On the time-dependent behavior of various types of continuous-time Polya-like random walks,” joint work with Brian Fralix.

Presentations

Invited Talks

• “Calculating the Stationary Distribution of a Markov Chain by Decomposing its Set of Global Balance Equations,” joint work with Brian Fralix

  Joint Mathematics Meetings 2025, Seattle, January 8-11

Contributed Talks

• “A Fresh Look at Calculating the Stationary Distribution of a Markov Chain, with Applications,” joint work with Brian Fralix

  22nd INFORMS Applied Probability Society Conference 2025, Atlanta, June 30 - July 3