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Mathematics

Classroom puzzles to cosmic insights: Students and professor demystify mathematical theorem

More than 150 years ago, Joseph Bertrand stated a mathematical theorem. Proving why this theorem is true hasn’t been a simple endeavor. Two College of Science alumni, along with professor Patrick De Leenheer, recently published a paper in the SIAM Review pulling back the curtain on Bertrand’s Theorem. Together, they wrote a proof that is accessible to undergraduate mathematics or physics students.

Sullivan Bailey-Darland in front of an urban backdrop.
Students

A ‘limitless degree’: Physics senior pushes the boundaries of his field

How does DNA move? How do cells communicate with each other? When it comes to these questions, it’s easy to think of molecular biologists behind the words. But as physics and mathematics senior Sullivan “Sully” Bailey-Darland knows, there are many more voices asking.

Madison Collins stands in front of a grey background.
Students

Mathematics senior finds effective teaching strategies on her path to a graduate degree

Even though 1+2 will always be equal to 3, Madison Collins strives to teach math differently so that students can learn better and discover something new along the way.

Kimberly Truong
Mathematics

College of Science student selected as Goldwater Scholar

A third-year mathematics student has been named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

A group of individuals stand on a staircase for a photo during a mathematics conference.
Mathematics

Making math inclusive: 2023 Math For All satellite conference

Three years ago, current Oregon State University Assistant Professor Swati Patel and two colleagues wanted to do something to counter systemic racism and inequities in mathematics. In response, they founded the Math For All conference at Tulane University in New Orleans. Math For All is now a national conference that hosts annual local programs throughout the country. In late February, about 40 people attended the Math For All satellite conference in Corvallis for free.

Saki Nakai sitting outside in a forest.
Students

Mathematics graduate to research cross-cultural psychology for Fulbright

Pre-med Honors student Saki Nakai double majored in psychology and mathematics, completing a French minor abroad. Next year, a Fulbright award will support her research in Luxembourg.

Kendra Jackson working in lab.
Students

How undergraduate research drives student success at OSU

Oregon State funds more high-impact undergraduate research experiences than any other university in the state.

Holly Swisher standing in a backyard.
Faculty and Staff

New NSF award to support 'rich and intricate discoveries' in mathematics

Professor of mathematics Holly Swisher was awarded a NSF grant to investigate a number of problems that relate to modular and automorphic forms, which have played a central role in many major problems in number theory over the last century.

OSU Graduation cap
Students

The Class of 2021 succeeds against all odds

The College of Science will graduate 670 undergraduate students with baccalaureate degrees in 2020-21, including 68 Honors graduates.

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Students

Oregon native – and role model to young girls – carves her own path in mathematics

Jennifer Smucker, mathematics senior, heads to Virginia Tech in the fall to pursue a Ph.D. in math. She hopes to be a role model for other women in STEM.

The text "Pi Mu Epsilon" and an insignia over a purple background.
Students

Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony

The OSU Pi Mu Epsilon chapter honored and inducted 33 undergraduates, who have shown exceptional scholarly activity in mathematics, into the national mathematics honor society.

Goldwater Scholarship
Eight members of math club meeting through Zoom.
Students

OSU Math Club Online

The OSU Math Club has been instrumental in keeping the undergraduate student community connected.

A collage of 14 undergraduate students that were apart of the 2020 OSU Research Experience for Undergraduates.
Students

2020 Research Experience for Undergraduates

The 2020 OSU Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, directed by Prof. Holly Swisher, was a great success!

Elisar Barbar
Women in Science

Women scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19

In recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, held on February 11, we acknowledge the women faculty, students and alumnae of the OSU College of Science.

Students use a variety of tools to conduct their summer research.
Students

Summer fellowships awarded to exceptional science students

The College of Science is proud to announce that 41 science students have received summer undergraduate research awards.

Megan Tucker standing in park
Students

Mathematics and writing senior awarded Department of Energy fellowship

Megan Tucker will graduate next month with a substantial amount of research experience under her belt: She was awarded the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship, which gave her the opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary team at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Albany, Oregon, during the summer of 2019. The new knowledge gained from her internship helped her land a job as a technical writer with Amazon Web Services — a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals, companies and governments.

Banner for the Northwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium.
Events

NUMS 2.0

The NUMS steering committee, along with the PiMUC organizers, were determined to hold the line during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Michael Kupperman in front of his research poster
Students

Prestigious research internship opens new possibilities for double-major science student

Michael Kupperman was among the 20 percent of applicants accepted for a Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The paid 10-week internship program is designed to encourage undergraduates and recent graduates to pursue STEM careers through research experiences at one of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories.

Rachel Sousa next to research poster
Students

Using mathematical biology to explore everything from ecological phenomenon to cancer cells

Mathematics senior Rachel Sousa found her passion in mathematical biology, motivated to work harder and break barriers in the notoriously male-dominated field.

Students that participated in the 2019 OSU Research Experience for Undergraduates program standing in front of Kidder Hall.
Students

2019 Research Experience for Undergraduates

Ten students are participating in the 2019 OSU Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Ryan Tollefsen in front of Kidder Hall
Students

Goldwater scholar is “a physicist to his fingertips”

Honors physics and mathematics student Ryan Tollefsen received a 2019 Goldwater award. He was one of four OSU students selected for the prestigious award.

Rachel Legard in front of Kidder Hall
Students

Math senior will use data to increase efficiency of governments and the private sector

For Rachel Legard ('19), a mathematics and business double major, participation and involvement in student and campus organizations has always been a priority.

Sara Tro wearing graduation gown in front of the Learning Innovation Center
Students

Math senior finds inspiration from women mathematicians at OSU

Inspired by her mathematics professors, Sara Tro is headed to the University of Colorado, Boulder, to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics.

Isabella Karabinas in front of shrubbery
Students

Physics, mathematics and biochemistry students named Goldwater Scholars

College of Science launches three of four OSU winners of the prestigious 2019 Goldwater Scholarship.

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Events

Mathematics Department Hosts Annual Ceremony

The Department of Mathematics held its annual Lonseth Lecture and departmental award ceremony on April 19.

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Students

The impact of Presidential Scholars after one year

Meet 2018 Presidential Scholars and science students Eli Nicholas and Jordyn Hamilton.

students analyzing beakers in lab
Students

Nearly 40 students win 2018 SURE Science awards

The College of Science awarded 38 SURE Science awards of $5,500 to each student to conduct summer research in 2018.

Roy Haggerty talking with female science students in his office
Student Success

New faculty-student mentor program to raise retention and graduation rates

OSU has launched a new mentoring program to strengthen faculty and students relationships, with the goal of improving student retention and graduation rates.

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Mathematics

Making mathematics cool at Da Vinci Days

Greek astronomy and pi at the 2018 Da Vinci Days Festival.

Lori Kayes talking with a student
Student Success

Science faculty receive $1 million to increase inclusivity and success of diverse students

Science faculty awarded prestigious HHMI grant to develop culturally inclusive pedagogies in STEM programs.

Sarah Hagen, Branwen Purdy and Emerald Stacy standing in front of bush on OSU campus
Graduate students

Mathematics graduate students devote time to community outreach activities

Sarah Hagen, Branwen Purdy and Emerald Stacy share their enthusiasm for mathematics with the broader public.

Will Mayfield, Andrew Jensen and Sebastián Naranjo Álvarez hanging out on OSU campus
Mathematics

Mathematics graduate students tackle risk and uncertainty in marine science

The NSF Research Traineeship project on “Risk and Uncertainty Quantification in Marine Science” at OSU is preparing a new generation of natural resource scientists.

Jesse Rodriguez in front of Kidder Hall
Students

The triple crown of science: Graduating with degrees in math, physics and nuclear engineering

Math, physics and nuclear engineering senior Jesse Rodriguez isn’t your average student by most measures. A transfer student, Rodriguez enjoyed an incredible and wide-ranging learning experience where his classes in the different subjects led him to many wonderful insights about the deeper connections among his majors, and ultimately to a more solid understanding of science itself. He was one of just 26 students in 2018 to earn a prestigious Department of Energy fellowship that will pay for his Ph.D. at Stanford University to study plasma physics.