Hometown: Burrillville, Rhode Island

Where are you from, and what made you choose URI?
I chose URI because it was a reputable school within commuting distance.

How did you decide on your major?
I liked that interaction with mathematics is achieved through deduction and logic within a rigorous framework. Even though it can take a great deal of work to understand certain theorems/lemmas/ideas to begin with, I felt a very complete and intuitive understanding once something finally did make sense. It is interesting to poke and prod problems to figure out why their statements are true, and it is then satisfying to formalize and argue that understanding in the form of proofs. This is usually a very “clean” operation, whereas I found other subjects to be “hands on” in a way that felt tedious and less general. 

In your time here at URI, what are some opportunities and experiences that have been the most meaningful for you?
The tutoring and TA experiences I was given were very useful to solidify my understanding of subjects and to gain new perspectives on mathematical concepts. Trying to pinpoint where students’ understanding failed and searching for new explanations or approaches was beneficial not only to the students but also to me.

Can you share a project or experience you have done at URI that you’re especially proud of?
Working at the AI Lab was a good interdisciplinary experience, as I was able to collaborate with many individuals from data science or computer science backgrounds while getting hands-on with application-based projects. Overall, I think my coursework has been the most constructive for me at URI. Working through ideas from lectures or books, thinking about problems, and talking to faculty or other students has mathematically developed me in a substantial way.

Was there a faculty member who made a measurable difference in your time at URI?
Most of the faculty I have met have been very supportive. Dr. Bonifant is a fantastic professor, whom I had for real analysis and complex analysis. She is always very helpful and energetic. Her encouragement of class discussion promotes absorbing information and thinking mathematically. Dr. Kinnersley is also widely regarded as a fantastic teacher. Taking calculus II with him gave me a great model of how to teach effectively, which I tried to emulate in my tutoring and TA positions. Dr. Perovic has been a tremendous help both as an instructor and an advisor throughout my time at URI, as well. Dr. Wu of the math department and Dr. Kahn of physics are two more professors who have supported me very much.

What does receiving the University Academic Excellence Award mean to you?
I am humbled that my professors thought I should be nominated at all. Receiving the award was unexpected, but I suppose it indicates I should keep working hard.

What are your goals after graduation? 
Immediately after graduation, I plan to work in an area related to mathematical modeling.

What will you miss most about URI?
The campus environment was generally very peaceful. It was a nice place to learn, study, and think.