Prof. Stickles’ area of research is abstract algebra, more specifically Commutative Ring Theory. In particular, Prof. Stickles examines how ring elements factor into irreducible elements and how a newer graph-theoretic construction can help shed light on various factoring ‘problems’. Thus, this area also blends algebra with graph theory. Factoring has long been an active area of research in both number theory and abstract algebra, and now it appears that graph theory can also play a role in investigating the ways in which ring elements factor. For more info see his homepage.