Evan Curcio
 |
|
What they do:
- Evan is currently a graduate student at CUNY - Hunter College studying for an M.A. in applied mathematics and statistics. The program is a mix of analysis, algebra, probability, and programming. It is designed to give a holistic approach to confronting problems involving partial differential equations. When Evan is not studying, he tutors at the Mary P. Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center, and he will be teaching a joint graduate/undergraduate course on Numerical Methods, i.e. solving roots via Newton/Secant Methods, and using polynomial interpolation, Bezier Curves, splines, etc. to approximate solutions to differential equations via programming in Mathematica.
Math on the job:
- As full-time math student, Evan uses math constantly. He will soon start a research project analyzing cell movement via chemotaxis by utilizing finite element method. To better understand cell growth, movement, and dispersion will directly apply to research in biofilms and cancer research.
Student's background:
- Received Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics Spring 2012.
Advice for students:
- Evan's advice to current students is not to specialize too quickly. There are many problems in mathematics and the sciences that can be approached using many different areas of mathematics - maybe some problems are topological, some involve analysis or algebra, others may involve graph theory or just some rigorous multivariable calculus. There is a temptation to join a camp - to become a geometer, or a topologist for example. It is better to take classes from as many different subfields as possible so that you have the flexibility to approach a problem from different perspectives. You never know exactly what you are going to be working on once you graduate.