Program Lays Groundwork for Students To Explore Math Research

When it comes to research, everyone has a starting point. "For most students studying mathematical sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, the Summer Experiences in Mathematical Sciences is the first math research experience," said Irina Gheorghiciuc , the director of SEMS and an associate teaching professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. "This is where they decide whether they want to pursue it further." That was the case for Brenda Chen, who studied convex codes this summer with Amzi Jeffs, a postdoctoral researcher in mathematical sciences. "This field is kind of new, so even though there is a lot to learn and we're in the beginning, it's interesting to explore where you can find things other people haven't yet," said Chen, a junior in mathematical sciences. "We were able to find something that works particularly well with one subset of the convex set." Students are selected for SEMS during a formal application process in the spring that includes interviews. The program culminated with a series of research talks on Sept. CMU senior Tarun Krishna presents his team's research from the Summer Experiences in Mathematical Sciences in the Mellon College of Science.