Lavinia Ciungu
Dr. Ciungu’s research is in Algebra, with a focus on its connections to real-world problems. In Cryptography, she studies how to keep information secure by transforming it into secret codes that only authorized parties can read. This is the mathematics behind online banking, private messaging, and protecting digital identities.
She also works in Logic, which emphasizes clear reasoning and problem solving, as well as Universal Algebra, which explores the common rules and patterns that connect algebraic systems such as groups, rings, and lattices.
Beyond research, Dr. Ciungu enjoys teaching a wide range of mathematics courses and collaborating with students on projects that bring mathematics to life outside the classroom.
Ph.D: Cryptography, SUNY at Buffalo
Ph.D: Logic and Universal Algebra, University of Bucharest
MS: French and Francophone literature, University of Iowa
Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
Lavinia Corina Ciungu
Address: St. Francis College, 179 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11202
Email: [email protected]
Research Interests
Cryptography, Mathematical Logic, Universal Algebra
Education
Ph.D., Mathematics (Cryptography), SUNY at Buffalo, 2012
Ph.D., Mathematics (Logic and Universal Algebra), University of Bucharest, 2007
M.S., French and Francophone Studies, University of Iowa, 2018
Professional and Academic Positions
2025 – Present: Chair Math Department, St. Francis College
2024 – Present: Associate Professor, St. Francis College
2020 – 2024: Assistant Professor, St. Francis College
2019 – 2020: Associate Professor of Instruction, Mathematics, University of Iowa
2014 – 2019: Assistant Professor of Instruction, Mathematics, University of Iowa
2013 – 2014: Visiting Assistant Professor, Mathematics, University of Iowa
2010 – 2013: Assistant Professor & Beresford Endowed Chair, University of Central Oklahoma
2008: Research Professor, Mathematical Institute of Slovakia
2003 – 2007: University Assistant, Polytechnical University, Bucharest
Honors and Awards
Best Algebra Researcher Award, MathScientists, 2024–2025
Research Grant, St. Francis College, Summer 2025 (collaboration at University of Craiova)
STEM Grant, SFC Undergraduate Summer Research, 2025
Travel Grant, International Conference on Representations of Algebras, Nantong, China, 2024
AMS–NSF Award, International Congress of Mathematics, Rio de Janeiro, 2018
T. Beresford Chair Endowment, University of Central Oklahoma, 2011–2013
SUNY Buffalo Outstanding Teaching Award, 2008
Teaching at St. Francis College
Courses Taught
College Algebra (MAT 1105)
Math for Liberal Arts (MAT 1104)
Calculus I & II (MAT 2201, MAT 2202)
Statistics (MAT 2301)
Linear Algebra (MAT 3312)
Differential Equations (MAT 4405)
Modern Algebra (MAT 4409)
Senior Seminar (MAT 4418)
Business Analytics (BAN 6001)
Data Mining (BAN 6003)
Curriculum Contributions
Created: Introduction to Cryptography (MAT 2306)
Course Coordinator: Business Analytics (BAN 6001)
Co-revised syllabi for MAT 1104C and MAT 1105C
Co-revised final exams for MAT 1104/MAT 1105
Revised Course Catalog for Math Department
Co-revised math major/minor requirements
Co-created four syllabi for MS program in Cybersecurity
Co-created four syllabi for BS program in Cybersecurity
Course Redesign: Statistics (MAT 2301) for the seven-week model
Publications (since tenure-track at SFC)
2025
L.C. Ciungu, Classification of states on certain orthomodular structures, Journal of Algebraic Hyperstructures and Logical Algebras 6(1)(2025), 1–11
L.C. Ciungu, Generalizations of quantum-Wajsberg algebras, Journal of Multiple-Valued Logic Algebras & Soft Computing, in press
L.C. Ciungu, Quotient quantum-Wajsberg algebras, Journal of Multiple-Valued Logic Algebras & Soft Computing, in press
2024
L.C. Ciungu, Centers of quantum-Wajsberg algebras, Journal of Applied Logics 11(2024), 679–699
2023
L.C. Ciungu, Valued quantum B-algebras, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 455(2023), 1–18
L.C. Ciungu, Implicative-orthomodular algebras, Bulletin of the Belgian Mathematical Society 30(2023), 510—531
2022
L.C. Ciungu, Deductive systems in unital quantum B-algebras, Bulletin of the Belgian Mathematical Society 29(2022), 173–191
L.C. Ciungu, Quantifiers on L-algebras, Mathematica Slovaca 72(2022), 1403–1428
S. Zahiri, A. Borumand Saeid, L.C. Ciungu, Characterization of monadic BL-algebras by state operators, Mathematica Slovaca 72(2022), 555–574
L.C. Ciungu, The category of L-algebras, Transactions on Fuzzy Sets and Systems 1(2)(2022), 142–159
L.C. Ciungu, A. Rezaei, A. Radfar, Smarandache pseudo-CI algebras, Italian Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics 48(2022), 451–468
2021
L.C. Ciungu, Monadic classes of quantum B-algebras, Soft Computing 25(2021), 1–14
L.C. Ciungu, Derivation operators on generalized algebras of BCK logic, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 407(2021), 175–191
L.C. Ciungu, Results in L-algebras, Algebra Universalis 82(2021), No. 1, Paper No. 7
L.C. Ciungu, Quantum B-algebras with involutions, Journal of Algebra and its Applications 20(12)(2021), Article ID 2150233
2020
L.C. Ciungu, Monadic pseudo BE-algebras, Mathematica Slovaca 70(5)(2020), 1013–1040
L.C. Ciungu, A. Rezaei, A. Borumand Saeid, Modal operators on pseudo-BE algebras, Iranian Journal of Fuzzy Systems 17(6)(2020), 175–191
Talks and Presentations (since tenure-track at SFC)
2025
“Orthomodular lattices and other structures”, University of Craiova, Romania
“Introducing Quantum-Wajsberg Algebras by Redefining Quantum-MV Algebras: Characterization, Properties, and Other Important Results”, International Conference on Mathematics and Information Technology, Singapore (online talk)
“Implicative-Orthomodular Lattices”, International Conference on Mathematics, Honolulu, HI (online talk)
“RSA and other cryptosystems”, Hudson River Undergraduate Math Conference (with SFC students)
2024
Chair of session, International Conference on Representations of Algebras, Nantong, China
“Cryptosystem based on the Jacobi mathematical conjecture”, Hudson River Undergraduate Math Conference (with SFC students)
2023
“The Jacobian conjecture applied in Cryptography”, Hudson River Undergraduate Math Conference (with SFC students)
“Quantum B-algebras with valuations”, American Mathematical Society Joint Meeting, Boston, MA
“I speak with an accent”, Forum on Migration, St. Francis College
2022
“On the deductive systems in quantum B-algebras”, International Conference on Mathematical Applications, Washington DC
“Romania and the war in Ukraine”, Human Rights Series, St. Francis College
“Introduction to Cryptography”, Math Club, St. Francis College
2021
“A general talk in Cryptography”, Women in Science Workshop, St. Francis College (online talk)
“Valued quantum B-algebras”, American Mathematical Joint Society Meeting, Seattle, WA (online talk)
Student Research
2025
Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematical Conference, Union College, Schenectady, NY – two students, oral presentations
STEM Research Day, St. Francis College – two students, posters
2024
Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematical Conference, Keene State College, NH – one student, oral presentation
STEM Research Day, St. Francis College – one student, poster
2023
American Mathematical Society Joint Meeting, Boston, MA – one student, oral presentation
Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematical Conference, Mt. Holyoke College, MA – one student, oral presentation
2022
“Diversity in Mathematics” Workshop, Black History Month, St. Francis College – five students, oral presentations
Women in Mathematics, St. Francis College – three students, oral presentations
2021
Women in Science – started Workshop, now annual STEM event
Workshops and Events Organized
2025
Invited speaker: Dr. Craig Bauer, talk in Cryptography for Math, CS, and IT students
“Examples of ciphers and cryptosystems”, talk for Math Club
Invited speaker: Prof. Monica Hernandez (Association for Women in Mathematics) – event for STEM students
Tutorial session open to all students, Math club event
Review sessions, out-of-class, MAT 1104/1105
STEM Tea Party
2024
Invited speaker: Dr. Thomas Cusick, talk in Cryptography for Math, CS, and IT students
“Pi Day”, talk for Math Club
“Alumni Day”, Math Club event – SFC alumni invited
STEM Tea Party
2023
Math Museum trip, Math Club event
“Diversity in Mathematics”, talk for Black History Month, St. Francis College
2022
“Women in Science” talk for STEM Center, St. Francis College
Invited speaker: Dr. Cristian Lumezanu, META: Career Opportunities
2021
“Research directions in Math”, talk for Research Day, St. Francis College
“Women in STEM”, talk for STEM center, St. Francis College
Committees and Service
General Education Council
Curriculum Committee
Athletic Committee
Faculty Interest Committee
Academic Standards and Integrity Committee
Franciscan Value Committee
STEM Faculty Ambassador
Promotion and Tenure Committee
CAFÉ Advisory Board
Middle States group work
Chair, Math Department
Professional Groups
Reviewer for journals: Journal of Algebra and its Applications, Mathematica Slovaca, Journal of Applied Logics, Logic Journal of the IGPL, Soft Computing, Mathematical Reviews, Zentralblatt MATH
Organizing committee member for Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematical Conference
American Mathematical Society member
Girls Who Code member
Professional Service
20 publications cited 22 times in 17 documents by 26 authors (source: zbmath.org).
Professional Development
Online Teaching Certification
Turnitin AI Detection Tool Workshop
Teaching Tomorrow's Writers: AI and Digital Pedagogy
Other Professional Activities
Partnered with NYC Last Mile Education Fund for funding opportunity for math majors and minors at SFC
Installed Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematical Society at SFC
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