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Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium

The 20th annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium (MUMS) will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Simpson College. The conference will feature contributed talks and poster presentations by undergraduates.  Our plenary speakers will be Alicia Prieto Langarica from Youngstown State University and Michael Stobb 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

9:30AM Registration and Poster Session set-up (Atrium, Kent Campus Center)
10:00AM Morning Plenary Address: Alicia Prieto Langarica (Black Box, Kent Campus Center)
11:00AM Break
11:15AM Student Posters (Atrium, Kent Campus Center)

  • Benjamin Roark (Coe): Properties of the Berezin Range of Composition Operators with Polynomial Symbols
  • Esther Chen (Coe): Epidemic Simulations
  • Jenna Woodward, Anthony Potratz, Sydney McCarron(Simpson): Analyzing Open Data from Studies about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

12:00PM Lunch (On your own)
1:30PM Career panel: Aaron Santos, Alicia Prieto Langarica, and Michael Stobb (Black Box)
2:15PM Student Talks (Black Box)

  • 2:15pm  Isaak Mouring (Drake): A Mathematical Journey of the Immune System’s Effect on COVID-19 Replication
  • 2:35pm  Morgan Kerkman (Simpson): Effects of Light Wavelengths on Melatonin Production
  • 2:55pm Jace Howard, Kayla Jensen, Paul Llamas(Simpson): Is Access Improved? Geospatial Analyses of Virtual and In-Person DS Specialty Programs

3:15PM Break
3:30PM Afternoon Plenary Address: Michael Stobb (Black Box)
4:30PM Closing remarks (Black Box)

 

 

Plenary Talks

Morning Plenary Address – Undergraduate Research in Mathematics: a world of infinite possibilities.

Headshot of Alicia Prieto Langarica
Alicia Prieto Langarica

 

Alicia Prieto Langarica received her Ph.D. from University of Texas at Arlington and is currently a professor of mathematics at Youngstown State University. Her primary research area is in mathematical biology, but has also done research in data science, mathematics education, and public policy. She currently serves as the associate director of Project NExT, a program organized by the Mathematical Association of America that mentors recent PhD graduates. In 2019, Alicia received the  Henry L. Alder Award, which is presented by the Mathematical Association of America recognizing extraordinary teaching that impacts students beyond the classroom.

Abstract: In the classroom most of the time we learn mathematics as something abstract and many times we do not see how the concepts we learn can relate to our own lives or other disciplines. In this talk we will discuss several different projects undergraduate students have done. What went well, what we struggled with, and what came out of these projects. The aim is to motivate students to explore many different topics and how we can address them/study them with mathematics. Students attending the talk should become curious about all the possible things they can explore with math and faculty members should leave the talk empower to think outside the box when it comes to doing research with students.

Afternoon Plenary adDress – Fractals: When Math Makes Art

Michael Stobb
Michael Stobb

 

Michael Stobb is an Assistant Professor of Data Science at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  His research areas include Uncertainty Quantification, Data Visualization, and the application of Machine Learning techniques to problems in the natural sciences.

Abstract: Fractals are a fascinating blend of mathematics and art, where simple rules blossom into infinitely complex visuals. This talk will dive into the mathematical concepts behind fractals and explore the algorithms that transform equations into breathtaking images. We will go beyond the theory with a live coding demonstration, allowing us to witness the beauty of fractals unfold in real-time.

Registration

Please fill out the Registration Form.

There is no registration fee, but we do request that you register in advance by April 5th.

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, 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

Abstracts are due by Friday, April 5, 2024.  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 our registration form.  To see abstracts from previous years, click on “MUMS 2022 Abstracts” or “MUMS 2019 Abstracts” below. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Marilyn Vazquez (marilyn.vazquez@simpson.edu) or Dr. Heidi Berger (heidi.berger@simpson.edu).