About
I teach mathematics at California State University, Los Angeles. My teaching emphasizes mathematical reasoning, real-world applications, and helping students interpret and use quantitative information meaningfully.
I am especially interested in how students learn to reason mathematically, communicate mathematical ideas, and use technology thoughtfully to support learning.
Teaching
My teaching focuses on helping students develop mathematical reasoning, interpret quantitative information, and connect mathematical ideas to real-world decisions.
I emphasize understanding over memorization. Students are encouraged to explain their reasoning, question assumptions, evaluate whether results are reasonable, and use technology thoughtfully as a tool for learning rather than as a substitute for thinking.
Research
My research focuses on mathematics education, especially how students understand, interpret, and construct mathematical proofs. I am particularly interested in proof comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and the ways undergraduate students and mathematicians engage with advanced mathematical ideas.
My work also includes research on calculus learning, mathematics readiness, developmental mathematics, and secondary mathematics teacher preparation. I use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches to study these questions.
Ongoing Research Project. I am currently Principal Investigator on a study Investigator on a study examining the use of large language models in the assessment of student-generated mathematical proofs. The project investigates how closely LLM-generated scores align with instructor judgments and how mathematics faculty evaluate the correctness, specificity, actionability, calibration, and overall usefulness of LLM-generated feedback. The study uses authentic student proofs and a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative score comparisons with faculty evaluations and qualitative feedback.
Education
Ph.D. in Mathematics Education
University of New Hampshire, 2016
M.S. in Mathematics
University of New Hampshire, 2013
B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy, summa cum laude
Westminster College, 2010
Selected Publications
Demeke, E. (2025). Investigating Strategies Undergraduates and Mathematicians Use for Enriched Proof-Reading Experience. In M. Savić & K. Weber (Eds.), New Directions for Mathematics Education Research on Proving (pp. 217–237). Springer Nature Switzerland.
Hendrata, M., Demeke, E., & McEvoy, S. (2019). Just-in-time Interventions in a Quantitative Reasoning Course. MAA Focus, June/July, 38–40.
Demeke, E. (2018). A Fine-grained Analysis of Proof Summaries: A Case Study of Abstract Algebra Students. In T. E. Hodges, G. Y. Roy, & A. M. Tyminski (Eds.), Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (pp. 540–548).
Academic Positions
Associate Professor of Mathematics
California State University, Los Angeles
Fall 2022–present
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
California State University, Los Angeles
2016–2022
Director of Developmental Mathematics
California State University, Los Angeles
2016–2018