Ph.D. Applied Mathematics and Curriculum & Instruction; University of Missouri-Kansas City
College Teaching and Career Preparing CT; University of Missouri-Kansas City
M.S. Applied Mathematics; University of Missouri-Kansas City
M.S. Functional Analysis in Mathematics; Gaziantep University (Turkey)
B.S. Mathematics; Abant Izzet Baysal University (Turkey)
Courses Taught
Math Modelling
Calculus
Differential Equations
Transition to Proofs
Academic Interests
Differential and partial equations
Disease Modelling
STEM Education
Mathematics Education
Scholarly Activity
Baimukhanov, A., Sony, S. D., Коchshanova, G., Smagulov, Y., Balta, N., & Cézar, R. F. (2026). Tracing teachers’ engagement in counterintuitive mathematics from intuition to reasoning, calculation, and peer discussion. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 14(2), 251-269. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/18146.
Sony, S. D. (2025). Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives on Connections within Mathematical Concepts: A Qualitative Study. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, 27(2), 2. Web site: https://mted.merga.net.au/index.php/mted/index
Orazali, G., Mekebayev, N., Issayeva, G., Sony, S. D., & Güvercin, S. (2025). Technology Integration in Geometry Instruction: SEM Analysis of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Perspectives and Experiences. Journal Of Curriculum Studies Research, 7(2), 272-295. https://doi.org/10.46303/jcsr.2025.21
Sony, D. S. (2024). An Exploration of Active and Engaging Classrooms. In Candace Schlein & Sarah Crump (Eds.), Active an Engaging Classrooms: A practical Exploration of Higher Education (pp. 1-18). Information Age Publishing.
Soysal, D., Bani-Yaghoub, M., & Riggers-Piehl, T. A. (2022). Analysis of Anxiety, Motivation, and Confidence of STEM Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 17(2), em0684. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/11836
Soysal, D., Bani-Yaghoub, M., & Riggers-Piehl, T. A. (2022). A Machine Learning Approachto Evaluate Variables of Math Anxiety in STEM Students. Pedagogical Research, 7(2), https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/11978
Araci, S., & Erdal, D. (2011). Higher order Genocchi, Euler polynomials associated with q-Bernstein type polynomials. Honam Mathematical Journal, 33(2), 173 179. https://doi.org/10.5831/hmj.2011.33.2.173
Araci, S., Erdal, D., & Kang, D.-J. (2011). Some new properties on the q-Genocchi numbers and polynomials associated with q-Bernstein polynomials. Honam Mathematical Journal, 33(2), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.5831/hmj.2011.33.2.261
Araci, S., Seo, J., & Erdal, D. (2011). New construction weighted(h,q)-Genocchi numbers and polynomials related to zeta type functions. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2011, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/487490
Araci, S., Erdal, D., & Seo, J. (2011). A study on the fermionic -Adic -integral representation on associated with weighted -Bernstein and -Genocchi polynomials. Abstract and Applied Analysis, 2011, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/649248
Açikgöz, M., Erdal, D., & Araci, S. (2010). A new approach to Bernoulli numbers and Bernoulli polynomials related to Bernstein polynomials. Advances in Difference Equations, 2010(1), 951764. https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-1847-2010-951764
Presentations:
Sony, D. S.,July 5-7, 2025. Controlling Periodic Limit Cycles of Math Anxiety. 3rd International Conference: Constructive Mathematical Analysis (ICCMA) in Konya, Turkey.
Sony, D. S.,March 6-7, 2025. Quantifying and Modeling the Dynamics of Math Anxiety. Conference of Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE) at Missouri Western State University campus in Saint Joseph, MO.
Sony, D. S., Meiners, A.J.& White, P. Feb 5-7, 2025. What Happened? Impacts of a Virtual Book Club Centered Around Effective Teaching Practices. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Kansas City, MO.
Sony, D. S., April 2024, Mathematical Model of Math Anxiety in College Students. RAMMINS Series at NWMSU, Maryville/MO.
Sony, D. S., November 2023, A Modeling Framework for Minimizing Spread of Mathematics Anxiety in College Students. 16thAnnual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research. Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia.
Sony, D. S., October 2023, Understanding the Factors Associated with Math Anxiety Among College Students Through the Utilization of Descriptive Analysis. Colloquium Series #1 at NWMSU, Maryville/MO.
Soysal, D., April 2022, Using Classification and Regression Method to Understand the Factors Linked with Math Anxiety in College Students. MAA-MO Conference, Kansas City/MO.
Soysal, D., October 2021, Epidemic waves of Math Anxiety Modeled by A system of Ordinary Differential Equations. 6th Annual Meeting of SIAM Central States Section at University of Kansas, Lawrence/Kansas.
Soysal, D., September 2021, A Disease Modeling Approach to Simulate the Spread of Math Anxiety Between Students. International Conference on Mathematics and Mathematics Education in Turkey.
Soysal, D., April 2021, Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Increase Math Anxiety in College Students? Seventh Math & Stat Research Day at UMKC, Kansas City/MO.
Soysal, D., April 2021, Modeling and Statistical Analysis of Math Anxiety during COVID-19 Pandemic. Interdisciplinary Symposium at UMKC, Kansas City/MO.
Soysal, D., March 2021, Descriptive analysis of anxiety, motivation, and confidence of calculus students during COVID-19. MAA-MO Conference, Kansas City/MO.
Soysal, D., Arjmand, A. & Sireeshan, D. April 2020, A Mathematical Model to Investigate Epidemic Waves of Math Anxiety. 6th Math & Stat Research Day at UMKC, Kansas City/MO.
Erdal, D., June 2010, Bernstein Polinomlari ile Genel Serilerin Toplaminin Hesaplanmasi Uzerine. 5th Ankara Matematik Gunleri, TOBB University in Turkey.
Journal Reviewer:
Journal: Mathematics Teacher Education and Development Title: SI: Mathematics Teacher Educators Insights and Learnings at the Boundary Between Classroom Practice and Educational Research. Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: October 2025
Journal: Mathematics Teacher Education and Development Title: Teachers’ Perceptions on the Primary to Secondary Transition in Mathematics Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: September 2025
Journal: Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE). Title: Review of “On PAR Assessment: Using Participation, Attendance, and Reflection in the Flipped Classroom” Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: August 2025
Journal: EURASIA JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION Title: Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching Science: Science Teacher’s Perspective Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: March 2023
Journal: INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION Title: Reflections on mathematics ability, anxiety, and Interventions Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: January 2023
Journal: Universal Wiser Publisher - Social Education Research Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: December 2023
Journal: Springer Nature - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications Title: A cross-national retrospective study of the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on practical activities in STEM Role: Reviewer Date Appointed: December 2023
Project Title: Connecting Advanced Mathematics to Pre-Service Teachers for STEM Success (CAMP) Target Program: National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (New to IUSE: EDU DCL) Role: Sole Principal Investigator Total Amount: $159,935.00 Time: 2025-2027 Status: Submitted; Not Founded
Project Title: Advancing Teacher Preparation through Mathematics Capstone Courses Target Program: Undergraduate Research Program at Northwest Missouri State University Role: Sole Principal Investigator Total Amount: $1,486.00 Time: Nov 17, 2025- Jun 30, 2026 Status: Founded and Active
Other Professional Experience
Service:
Internal grant project supervisor for 2 undergraduate research assistants (Spring 2026–Present)
Graduate Council Committee (Spring 2026–Summer 2026)
Undergraduate Students’ Advisory (2025–Present)
Curriculum and Degree Requirements Committee (2025–Present)
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