Math Newsletter 2018 - 2019 by The University of Idaho

A publication of the Mathematics Department at the University of Idaho

Letter from the chair Greetings! Welcome to this year’s edition of the Mathematics Department newsletter! There are many exciting things going on in the department, described inside. In faculty news, Stefan Tohaneanu was tenured and promoted – congratulations Stefan! The department now has an international visiting scholar and several postdoctoral scholars. Our students continue to do great things. These include the Math Modeling Team, two undergraduates with Hill undergraduate research fellowships, the Putnam team, and a winner of a national AMS award. The Wellner lecture had its second invited speaker and the Math Club and the Pi Mu Epsilon honorary society are now joined by the Integration League! Our many yearly awards for graduating students and university awards for faculty are covered inside. In these challenging financial times for the university, your support and donations are highly valued, all contributions help us keep our many activities going! One way to keep in touch with developments in the department and with contacts is to join the department LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/grp/ home?gid=6936949. - Chris Williams

www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

Math Donors Each year the Mathematics Department receives gifts from its alumni and friends. We are grateful to all who have contributed amounts, both large and small, to the department this year. Donations support and enhance our programs, including such things as: student relations, Math Club events, student travel, scholarships and student awards. Your support makes a significant difference to our students. Interested in supporting the students and faculty of the Mathematics Department? You may choose whether to direct your gift toward a specific goal of your choice or to have your donation used for our most pressing needs at the department’s discretion. You can find a list of our current scholarship funds on page 7 of the Newsletter. Donations can be received online or through the mail. To donate online, visit: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofIdaho To mail a donation, send a check made payable to University of Idaho Foundation. Include a note with the following information: My gift of $______is enclosed. Please direct my gift to: Department of Mathematics OR specify a Mathematics Department Scholarship by name. Mail your check and note to: University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143.

Spring 2020

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Jon A. Wellner Lecture

We would like to hear from you! If you have some news/ information about yourself that you would like printed in the next Math News, please send your information to math@uidaho.edu or to: Department of Mathematics, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1103, Moscow, ID 83844-1103 Please include as much of the following as possible: • • • • • •

Name Year you graduated from UI Degree and Major at UI Current Occupation News about yourself Comments, corrections, additions for the newsletter

The Jon A. Wellner Lecture was established by Jon and Vera Wellner to provide educational experiences outside the classroom for students and faculty and to help raise the profile of the University of Idaho by bringing well-known experts in the fields of Statistics and Probability to Moscow. The 2019 Jon A. Wellner Lecture was held on Thursday, September 24th. Professor Richard J. Samworth gave a talk titled “Nonparametric Inference Under Shape Constraints: Past, Present and Future.” A video recording of the lecture, as well as additional information about the Jon A. Wellner Lecture, can be found at: https://www.uidaho.edu/sci/math/news/ wellner-lecture

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One Mathematics faculty member was promoted this year: Stefan Tohaneanu was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor. Stefan’s research is in Algebra, Algebraic Geometry, and Number Theory. He has taught courses at the undergraduate level such as Linear Algebra (Math 310), Discrete Math (Math 176), and Cryptography (Math 415), and graduate courses such as Ring Theory (Math 557), Algebraic Geometry (Math 558), and Groups and Fields (Math 555).

Congratulations, Stefan!

We look forward to the 2020 Jon A. Wellner Lecture. Watch for more information on this lecture!

Putnam Competition Article prepared by Frank Gao

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical competition began in 1938 and is designed to stimulate a healthy rivalry in mathematical studies at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. It is administered by the Mathematical Association of America.

The examination is designed to test creativity in problem solving as well as technical competence. It is expected that the contestants are familiar with the formal theories taught in undergraduate mathematics courses. Questions may cut across the bounds of various disciplines. Self-contained questions involving elementary concepts from group theory, set theory, graph theory, lattice theory, number theory, and cardinal arithmetic may also appear.

Faculty Promotion: Stefan Tohaneanu

Spring 2020

The competition is organized in two sections (morning and afternoon) on the first Saturday of December. Each section has 6 problems and the total score for both sections is 120. Each problem is graded on a basis of 0 to 10 points, with partial credit given when a contestant has shown progress toward a solution. The questions are so hard that about half of all contestants fail to earn any points. The 79th Putnam contest was held December 1, 2018 with 4,623 contestants from 568 institutions. The University of Idaho had 6 participants score points: Robert Goes, Brenna Peever, Kirk Bonney, Jaiden Medina, Samuel Johnson, and Eduardo Ramos-Arteaga. Congratulations to our 2018 Putnam participants! www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

Congratulations to the UI team of undergraduate students (Annika Esau, Teja Sunku, and Tony Clay) for taking second place in a mathematical modeling competition for undergraduates at Carroll College, Montana! The 2019 Montana Mathematical Modeling Challenge (MMMC) took place October 26-27, 2019 in Helena, Montana. The UI team finished 2nd for the written paper portion. The MMMC presents teams with two open -ended real world problems, and gives them 24 hours to choose and solve one of them using a mathematical model. At the end of the 24 hours, teams submit papers and give ten minute presentations describing their solutions. This year’s MMMC featured 13 teams from 4 institutions (University of Idaho, Washington State University, Montana State University, and Carroll College).

Some photos of the UI team:

Recent Graduates In May 2019, three students earned M.S. graduate degrees in mathematics:

Congratulations!

Lucas Everham, M.S.

Visiting Scholar

New PhD: Daniel Reiss

The Mathematics Department is happy to have Dr. Ricardo Burity Croccia Macedo as a Visiting Scholar for 2020. Ricardo is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Federal de Paraiba, Brazil. He will be working with Dr. Stefan Tohaneanu during his time in Moscow.

Daniel Reiss graduated in August 2019 with a Ph.D. degree in mathematics. The title of his doctoral dissertation was “Arithmetic Relations Between Fourier Coefficients of Siegel Paramodular Forms” and was completed under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer JohnsonLeung. Congratulations, Dr. Reiss!

Irene Ogidan, M.S.

Deanna Vining, M.S.

Congratulations, graduates!

Welcome to the department, Dr. Burity!

Annelise Nielsen, Daniel Reiss

www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

Spring 2020

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Integration Bee 2019 University Awards for Excellence The Mathematics Department had two recipients of 2019 University Awards for Excellence. These awards “recognize and encourage excellence in all forms at the academic level.” Associate Professor Rob Ely received the UI Teaching Excellence Award.

The 17th Annual Integration Bee took place during the 2019 Pi Day Celebration in March. An integration bee is like a spelling bee, but you solve integrals instead of spelling words. The winners of this year’s bee were: 1st place: Samuel Johnson 2nd place: Atuallah Mohammed Zawad (Khatib) 3rd place: Gauri Gaur The deciding integral was:

Can you solve it?

(left to right) Tristie Stucker (Math Club President), Gauri Gaur (3rd place), Ataullah Mohammed Zawad (Khatib) (2nd place), Samuel Johnson (1st place), Lyudmyla Barannyk (judge), Manuel Welhan (judge) Not pictured: Jennifer Johnson-Leung (judge)

Graduate Student Daniel Reiss received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. Congratulations, Rob and Daniel!

Hill Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Waldemar J. Trjitzinsky Memorial Award

Thanks to the generosity of Brian and Gayle Hill, the College of Science awarded 8 Hill Undergraduate Research Fellowships for 2019. Two of these recipients were mathematics students:

Undergraduate mathematics major Eli Smith received a 2019 Waldemar J. Trjitzinsky Memorial Award from the American Mathematical Society (AMS). These awards are given annually to beginning mathematics students as they pursue careers in mathematics.

Kirk Bonney, for the project “Computation of Fourier coefficients for twists of Siegel paramodular forms” (working with Professor Jennifer Johnson-Leung). Trevor Griffin, for the project “Finding Euler factors for L-functions of paramodular forms” (working with Professor Jennifer Johnson-Leung). Congratulations, Kirk and Trevor!

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Information about this award is available on the AMS webpage: www.ams.org/ prizes-awards/paview.cgi?parent_id=37

Congratulations, Eli!

www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

Idaho Alpha Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon The Idaho Alpha Chapter of the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematical Honor Society inducted six new members on April 24, 2019: Jacob Alderink Michael Alberda Kellie Rich Margot Dillon Danika Moore Courtney Schreiner The current officers are: Eli Smith, President Eduardo Ramos-Arteaga, Vice President Tristie Stucker, Secretary/ Treasurer Alex Woo, Chapter Advisor Mark Nielsen, Faculty Correspondent

Integration League In September 2019, Mathematics graduate student Daniel Furman created a new weekly activity for students: Integration League! Daniel expanded the idea of the annual department Integration Bee, held during the Mathematics Department Pi Day celebration, into a weekly competition. Each week participants are presented with around 10 integrals. The integrals range in complexity, from more simple Calculus I problems up to difficult graduate-level problems. A public leaderboard is available on Facebook (Vandals Integration League) and is updated after each competition. The League also posts on Instagram (@integration_league). The Integration League currently meets every Monday from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm in TLC 241. All students that have completed Calculus I are invited and encouraged to participate!

Students must meet certain minimum requirements to qualify for membership. Qualifying students are contacted in the spring.

Some Idaho Alpha members of Pi Mu Epsilon during the 2019 induction ceremony.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Chris Remien on receiving the College of Science Early Career Faculty Award during the annual staff, faculty, and graduate student awards ceremony in March 2019. Congratulations, Chris!

UI Math Club

Article prepared by Rob Ely During the 2018-2019 academic year, the UI Math Club kept coordinating events for math students to socialize and broaden their mathematical experiences. In September we had a Mathematical Scavenger Hunt and at Halloween we had a Scary Math Illusions event. We also had two epic trivia challenges based on the famous Russian quiz show “What? Where? When?” Of course, in March was our famous Pi Day celebration, and in April we inducted new members into the Pi Mu Epsilon mathematical honors society.

We are looking forward to more of these exciting Math Club events this year, too. For more information about the UI Math Club, contact the Math Department, math@uidaho.edu or visit the Club’s webpage: https://webpages.uidaho.edu/tohaneanu/ MathClubUI.html.

The Mathematics Department has three Postdoctoral Fellows: Andrew Basinski Working with Dr. Remien, Dr. Nuismer, and Dr. Bull

Ellie Bayat Mokhtari Working with Dr. Ridenhour Tyler Meadows Working with Dr. Ridenhour Boyu Zhang Working with Dr. Gao.

These activities are possible because of the generous donations of alumni to the Math Gift Fund. If you would like to donate, please see page 1.

www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

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Undergraduate Award Winners

Several of our outstanding students received recognition for their achievements during the May 2019 commencement celebrations.

Outstanding Seniors

Congratulations to Mikayla Ferenz on receiving a College of Science Dean’s Award during the College of Science Graduation Reception in May.

This award is given to the outstanding graduating senior in each department. Congratulations, Mikayla!

Awarded to seniors who have shown exceptional mathematical talent.

Tara Hazeltine, Mikayla Firenz, Matthew Holman

Chair’s Award for Excellence

Awarded to graduating seniors in recognition of excellent academic performance.

Brenna Peever, Carly Scott, JaeCie Wilson, John Lyons

Some of the Mathematics graduates at the Spring 2019 commencement. Congratulations to Daniel Reiss on receiving the Dean’s Graduate Award during the annual staff, faculty, and graduate student awards ceremony in March.

Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Excellence in Teaching

Awarded to graduate students who demonstrate excellence in teaching. This award is given to the outstanding graduating graduate student in each department, based on academic achievement and service. Congratulations, Daniel!

At the Spring 2019 Mathematics Graduation Reception, five math graduate students received the Excellence in Teaching Award: Lucas Everham Jordan Hardy Joshua Parker Daniel Reiss Deanna Vining

Congratulations! 66

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Jordan Hardy, Deanna Vining www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

2018-2019 Scholarships Several scholarships are available to math majors. Scholarship amounts range from $500 up to $6500. All mathematics majors are automatically considered for a scholarship. Nonmathematics majors are eligible for scholarship consideration if they change their major to mathematics or add mathematics as a second major. Scholarship selection is made by the faculty of the department in March. The generosity of our donors makes it possible to award scholarships to some of our best students. J. Lawrence Botsford Scholarship Recipient: Beau Horenberger Awarded to mathematics majors entering their junior or senior year. Eugene and Osa Taylor Mathematics Scholarship Recipients: Matthew Young, Eli Smith, Matthew Mills, Trevor Griffin, Robert Goes, Tatiana Ford, Mason Footh, Rian Brumfield, Kirk Bonney Awarded to mathematics majors entering their junior or senior year. Ya Yen Wang Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Jessie Van Buren Intended for a junior or senior in Mathematics, preferably to be awarded to a woman. Pyrah Family Scholarship Recipient: Nathaniel Dillon For undergraduate mathematics majors, with preference to students from Idaho. Linn Hower Honor Scholarship Recipient: Niko Icardo For junior and senior applied mathematics majors, preferably from rural Idaho, with a high potential for success in a mathematics or scientific field. The Mathematics Department Scholarship Recipient: Genevieve Hurd Supported by annual contributions of friends of the department and is awarded primarily to freshman and sophomore mathematics majors.

www.uidaho.edu/sci/math

Malcolm and Carol Renfrew Scholarship Recipients: Nathan Palmiter, Cassandra Madrigal Open to all students in the Mathematics Department.

In the Fall of 2019 the Math Department welcomed two new graduate students:

Perry Math Scholarship Recipient: Benjamin Emehiser Awarded to mathematics graduate students. Newman and Neah Fisher Mathematics Scholarship Recipient: Amy Gossi Open to full-time students (undergraduate or graduate level) majoring in mathematics. Preference is given to students preparing for a career teaching math at the secondary or community college level. Clancy and Barbara Potratz Math Education Scholarship Recipient: Bailey Scott Available to full time sophomore, junior, or senior students majoring in mathematics. Preference is given to students preparing for a career teaching mathematics at the middle through high school levels. Boisen Mathematics Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Benjamin Emehiser Awarded to full-time mathematics graduate students. Arnold Misterek Family Scholarship Recipients: Jake Sapozhnikov, Daniel Furman Awarded to graduate students majoring in mathematics, with preference to United States citizens.

Leo F. Boron Memorial Fellowship Recipient: Irene Ogidan Awarded to international students in their first year in the United States. Mathematics Graduate Student Scholarship Recipient: Benjamin Emehiser Supported by annual contributions of friends of the department and is awarded to mathematics graduate students at the discretion of the Mathematics Department. Spring 2020

Garrett Huff M.S. student

Michael Routsalainen Ph.D. student In the Spring of 2020 the Math Department welcomed two new graduate students:

Morteza Soltani M.S. student

Jiayu Yang M.S. student

Welcome to our department! Page 7

Faculty Updates 2018-2019 Cynthia Piez gave a presentation at the Idaho Statewide STEM conference in Coeur d’Alene on August 14 entitled “Reasoning about Units and Operations.” This presentation aimed for teachers of grades four through six. Chris Remien continued his active research in mathematical biology. He worked on an NIHfunded project focused on using mathematics to determine the extent to which vaccine transmission reduces aids in controlling infectious diseases, a related DARPA-funded project specifically focused on Lassa fever in West Africa, and a Center for Modeling Complex Interactions project focused on modeling microbial population dynamics. Linh Nguyen was on an exciting sabbatical leave, mostly in Vietnam. He worked on a variety of topics for his research: medical imaging, deep learning, and social data analytics. He helped a data analytics startup in Vietnam receive funding, lead an AI engineering team to work on Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, and helped found a Data Innovation Lab at a university. He participated in a “European study group with industry” as an advisor of a voice recognition project. He presented numerous invited talks in Vietnam and the US, at universities, companies, and tech events. Notably, he was a plenary speaker at the conference “Modern Challenges in Imaging: In the Footsteps of Allan MacLeod Cormack”, Tufts University, August 5-9, 2019. Hirotachi Abo spent most of his summer in Europe. He visited the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany, to work with Dr. Wolfram Decker for two months. He also attended the SIAM Conference on Applied Algebraic Geometry at the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, from July 9-13, where he gave a presentation about his recent work on the discriminant of vector bundles. Dr. David Yopp continued his research on teaching and learning with and through viable argumentation and proofs in middle school mathematics. This effort was funded by NSF as the Longitudinal Learning of Argument Methods for Adolescents (LLAMA) project, an NSF Discovery Research K-12 Program Grant, No. DRL 1621438. During this past year, he, along with Dr. Ely and Dr. Adams, continued professional development for teachers and analyzed data that showed that implementation of the project’s lessons can increase student achievement.

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Ben Ridenhour spent most of his summer in Moscow, Idaho working on projects related to either modeling the dynamics of microbial communities or modeling diseases in human populations. Both projects are collaborations established through the Center for Modeling Complex Interactions (now the Institute for Modeling Complex Interactions) at UI. From work on these projects and others, Ben had four publications in 2019, with others submitted for peer review and available in archival format. Additionally, two new post-doctoral fellows (Dr. Ellie Bayat-Mokhtari and Dr. Tyler Meadows) recently joined his research group. Steve Krone and Chris Remien, with Jim Bull (UI Biology) and Dick Gomulkiewicz (WSU Biology), submitted an NSF grant proposal on modeling resistance evolution in gene drives. They recently published two papers on gene drives--a proposed genetic intervention based on CRISPR technology that holds promise for eradicating deadly diseases like malaria. Theresa Allen began teaching international students with the University of Idaho Global Student Success Program (G.S.S.P.) in 2017, and won the Outstanding G.S.S.P. Teacher Award in the Spring of 2018. In 2018-2019, Stefan Tohaneanu had two papers accepted for publication (in Journal of Commutative Algebra, and in Advances in Applied Mathematics), and submitted two other papers for publication. He gave a talk in the Colloquium at UI - Department of Mathematics, and he refereed three manuscripts for mathematical journals. Stefan also got tenure and promotion to associate professor. One project Rob Ely worked on last year was the LLAMA project with Dr. David Yopp and doctoral student Annelise Nielsen. They worked intensively with 8th-grade math teachers in Idaho, Washington, and Montana to develop viable argumentation in their classrooms, including a two-week summer workshop. He also researched student learning in calculus using infinitesimals, presenting in August at the MatRIC conference on calculus education in Kristiansand, Norway and in February at the RUME conference in Oklahoma. Mark Nielsen continues to serve as Associate Dean in the College of Science.