Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium
The 22nd annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium (MUMS) will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Simpson College. The conference will feature contributed talks and poster presentations by undergraduates. Our plenary speakers will be Nick Joslyn from the Boston Red Sox and Brittney Miller from Coe College.
Purpose
- Promote student engagement in the mathematical sciences, including projects and research (completed individually or in groups).
- Provide students the opportunity to share and celebrate the work they have completed in the mathematical sciences.
- Introduce students to topics and applications of mathematics that are new to them.
- Inform students about research programs and study abroad opportunities in the mathematical sciences.
- Inform students about career and graduate school opportunities in the mathematical sciences.
Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place in Kent Campus Center Hubbell Hall II.
9:30AM – Registration and Poster Session set-up
10:00AM – Morning Plenary Address: Nick Joslyn
11:00AM – Break
11:15AM – Student Posters (Hubbell Hall I)
12:00PM – Lunch (On your own)
1:30PM – Career panel
2:30PM – Student Talks
3:50PM – Break
4:00PM – Afternoon Plenary Address: Brittney Miller
5:00PM – Closing remarks
Registration
Please fill out the Registration Form.
There is no registration fee, but we do request that you register in advance by April 3, 2026.
Call for Presentations
Undergraduate students are invited and encouraged to make presentations in any mathematics-related field. Possible topics for talks and posters include, but are not limited to:
- results of class projects;
- solutions to contest problems (Putnam Exam, modeling or data analytics competitions, Iowa Collegiate Mathematics Competition, etc.);
- results from undergraduate research projects (summer programs, capstone courses, etc.);
- expository talks on interesting topics in mathematics;
- papers on the history of mathematics;
- mathematics education projects; and
- independent work in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or related disciplines.
Abstract Submission
Abstract submissions must include the following information:
- names of all presenters and their schools;
- title of the presentation;
- brief abstract (one paragraph);
- your preference for a talk or poster presentation; and
- faculty sponsor(s).
We have a limited number of time slots available for student talks, but a larger capacity for poster presentations. Please submit your title and abstract by filling out the registration form. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Katherine Vance (katherine.vance@simpson.edu) or Dr. Heidi Berger (heidi.berger@simpson.edu).
Speakers:
Nick Joslyn’s Information:
Title: Localizing an Interdisciplinary Career in Mathematics
Abstract:
Mathematics is the foundation for many scientific fields, and as a result, mathematicians are uniquely suited to contribute across traditional disciplinary lines. In this talk, the versatility of mathematics will be demonstrated through examples from the speaker’s own career journey in interdisciplinary projects. In an academia example, the utilization of applied mathematics techniques to develop an acoustic source localization theory motivated years-long investigation into numerical and experimental confirmation. The simulation frameworks and at-sea field tests required to validate theoretical results will be discussed as well as further interdisciplinary applications of this theory into electromagnetic signal processing. The context for this research will also be explained outside of the traditional academic lens and other non-academic examples of mathematical interdisciplinary collaboration will be included.
Brittney Miller’s Information:
Title: The Schur Way to Multiply Matrices
Abstract:
In linear algebra, we’re taught that matrix multiplication is not simply the product of the entries of two matrices, even though we may desperately hope that it is. Well, let’s stop hoping and start doing! It turns out that this type of multiplication, called Schur multiplication, is useful and has yielded many fascinating results. In this talk, I will shed light on why Schur multiplication is practical and give examples of its applications in mathematics and related fields.
