School of Mathematics

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients

dgivens8 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:23:29 +0000

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients dgivens8 Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:23

This year's Provost's Academic Excellence Award recipients include Alexander Divoux from the College of Sciences, Isabella Baker from the College of Design, Camryn Bryant from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Aubrey Charron from the Scheller College of Business, and Andrew DiBiasio from the College of Computing.

Established in 2021, the Provost’s Academic Excellence Award was created to recognize the remaining finalists of the Love Family Foundation Award. Each recipient is a graduating senior and represents the most outstanding scholastic record from their college. Finalists receive a $2,000 award, generously sponsored by the Love Family Foundation, and recognition at the annual Student Honors Celebration.

Alexander Divoux is a mathematics and computer science student in the College of Sciences. Alexander has conducted research in combinatorics and wishes to continue math research in external probabilistic combinatorics and structural graph theory. He is also fluent in Chinese and actively studying Japanese as a part of the Japan Student Association. Alexander plans to pursue a PhD in mathematics at Princeton University after he graduates. “I am deeply honored to have received this award, and am incredibly grateful to my family, friends, and mentors for their continuous support. Throughout my time at Georgia Tech, I have been shaped by the outstanding guidance generously offered by this amazing community. A special thanks to Dr. Tom Kelly and Dr. Xingxing Yu for nurturing my curiosity and growth in mathematics. Georgia Tech has been a place of constant discovery and inspiration, and I am both excited and proud to carry that spirit forward in all that comes next.”

Isabella Baker is an architecture major in the College of Design and is minoring in Environmental Science. Isabella was awarded “Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher” for her work on photogrammetry in Italian ornamentation. She aspires to contribute to environmentally conscious urban development through interdisciplinary collaboration and research. Isabella notes, “The future of sustainable architectural design is promising, and I am committed to contributing to climate change mitigation through innovative and responsible design solutions.” Isabella will be returning to Georgia Tech to obtain her Master’s in Architecture. “Receiving this award is a deeply meaningful way to conclude my undergraduate experience at Georgia Tech. I’m especially thankful to the School of Architecture for creating space for me to explore the areas of the field I am most passionate about while learning alongside inspiring peers and faculty. I’ve found the collaborative environment at Georgia Tech extremely supportive and exciting, and through my minor, research, and student-led initiatives, I have grown as both a designer and individual. Special thanks to Dr. Danielle Willkens and Julie Kim for their invaluable support and guidance. I’m looking forward to carrying forward everything I have learned at Georgia Tech as I take the next steps in my studies and career.”

Camryn Bryant is currently a literature, media, and communication student in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Camryn was a recipient of the Gold OMED Tower Award which celebrates the academic achievements of Georgia Tech students. She is the founder of an online fashion magazine and has been involved in several organizations on campus including filmmaking, investing clubs, Society of Women in Business, and Girls into Venture Capital. One day, Camryn hopes to build her dream career that blends her love for film, fashion, and finance – combining creativity, style, and strategy. After graduation, Camryn will be working as a Financial Analyst for the Wealth Management Division at Goldman Sachs. “As a student in Ivan Allen College, I have learned a variety of tangible skills — from analyzing films to writing white papers. But ultimately, the most important thing I’ve learned is the value of community. I am blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and educators during this chapter of my life. My communities, both at home and on campus, have shown me that anything is possible with hard work, commitment, and faith. I am extremely honored to represent Ivan Allen College in this way and can’t wait to give back to Georgia Tech as an alumna. Go Yellow Jackets!”

Aubrey Charron is a business administration major in the Scheller College of Business. Aubrey interned at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on the Arthur M. Blank Transition Team as they worked to open the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital. She also was a campus tour guide and won Tour Captain of the Semester in 2024. Aubrey hopes to pursue a career in hospital administration and would like to get her Master of Healthcare Administration in the future. “I am honored to represent the Scheller College of Business and grateful to the Love family for making this award possible. As I found my footing both at Georgia Tech and as a young adult, there have been countless reasons to laugh, celebrate, and even cry. In every moment, I have been able to turn to the Undergraduate Program Office, Professors Bill Todd and Tim Martin, my incredible friends and family, and countless others for support and guidance. Scheller has become my home over the past four years. Thank you, Scheller– I’ll forever be your biggest fan!”

Andrew DiBiasio is a computer science major in the College of Computing. Andrew is a teaching assistant for CS 1332 where he strives to provide mentorship and guidance to students. Andrew is interested in facing real-world problems, one example of this is a tool he made that track room utilization on campus, addressing enrollment issues. Andrew will be returning to Georgia Tech to pursue a Master’s of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Machine Learning. “I’m deeply honored to receive this award and want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their support, and the faculty and staff of Georgia Tech’s College of Computing for their guidance throughout this incredible four-year journey. I want to issue a special thank you to Dr. Mary Hudachek-Buswell for her exceptional support, as this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without her. Lastly, I'd like to thank Dr. Offerson, who has served as a role model throughout my time at Tech, for motivating me to always put my best foot forward.”

The Office of Undergraduate Education is proud to celebrate these exceptional students and looks forward to their continued success in their academic and professional pursuits.

Summary sentence

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Summary

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Dateline

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 12:00

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Sciences

School of Mathematics

academic excellence

cos-community

Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows

dgivens8 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:04:41 +0000

Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows dgivens8 Wed, 04/16/2025 - 13:04

Five Ph.D. scholars from the College of Sciences are the newest members of the Georgia Tech University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM) Ph.D. Fellowship program, which now includes the College’s Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences (C-PIES).

“This is the first year the College of Sciences has been involved with UCEM, and it will be very impactful for the professional development for these students,” says Lewis Wheaton, C-PIES director and professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “The process for selection was highly competitive and these students really demonstrate strong scientific ability, have compelling research, and are having a powerful impact in the college community and beyond.”

The new UCEM/C-PIES Fellows:

The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship program has the goal of increasing the number of outstanding engineering, science, and computing Ph.D. students from underserved populations. The program seeks to support students from backgrounds that include African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander. The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship provides three years of support for students who have recently completed the Ph.D. Qualifying/Preliminary exam.

C-PIES at the College of Sciences works in collaboration with the College of Engineering and the College of Computing — through the Georgia Tech Underrepresented Minority (URM) Graduate Leadership Initiative — to support the Expand Access focus area of the Institute’s strategic plan for graduate student enrollment and retention.

Meet the College of Sciences UCEM Fellows

Sarah E. Gonzalez

“I was excited and relieved to find out I was a UCEM Fellow. As everyone knows, being a grad student isn’t the most financially stable position, so anything extra is a big help,” Gonzales says.

Gonzalez researches in the lab of Associate Professor Elisabetta Matsumoto, studying knitted fabrics and their mechanical behavior. “She is my biggest supporter at Georgia Tech. We have a very tight-knit and supportive research group.”

Danielle Grau

“I was shocked and elated when I received the email with the news, and excited about the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious fellowship,” Grau says. “I am excited to see what opportunities and relationships it will forge in the future.”

Assistant Professor Alexander Robel is Grau’s thesis adviser. “I am extremely grateful and appreciative for all the support, guidance, and encouragement he has given me throughout my time at Georgia Tech. He's a phenomenal mentor and advisor, and I wouldn’t have had any success without him.”

Sierra A. Knavel

“I was enthusiastic to hear about receiving the award,” Knavel says, “and eager to join a community that wants to help each other succeed while at Georgia Tech.”

Knavel, whose research interests include low-dimensional topology, has Professor John Etnyre as an adviser. “He is the reason I can say I'm in the math Ph.D. program, and that I know I belong here.”

Tony Lemos

“When I applied to the UCEM fellowship, I had doubts that I was accomplished enough to be chosen for this fellowship,” Lemos says. “When I received the email announcing that I had been selected for this award, it was a great surprise, and I was immediately filled with immense gratitude. I am very thankful to be one of the students to receive this gift that will help me become the first in my family to obtain a doctoral degree.”

Lemos is a research assistant in the biophysics lab of Professor Harold Kim, who is his adviser. “He has been a great mentor who helped me get this far at Georgia Tech. He is a great role model that showed me what it means to be an effective scientist. He also challenged me to grow in areas I was uncomfortable with in the lab. I am thankful for his mentorship and unending support.”

Autumn Peterson

“I was super excited to hear that I was named a UCEM Ph.D. Fellow,” Peterson says. “Mentorship has always been important to me. I would not be in the position I am in now without mentors who have supported me throughout my academic career. I am looking forward to strengthening my mentorship skills and serving as a role model for aspiring scientists coming from underrepresented backgrounds like I do.”

Peterson’s adviser is Associate Professor William Ratcliff, who is also Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences. ‘I want to thank him for his immense support throughout my academic journey. I would also like to thank Anthony Burnetti, a senior research scientist in the Ratcliff lab. Both Ratcliff and Burnetti are both extremely supportive, kind, and knowledgeable, and I am grateful to have them as mentors.”

Earlier this year, Peterson and Ratcliff were co-awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study.

“We are so proud of our UCEM/C-PIES Fellows," says Lea Marzo, C-PIES Program Operations Director. "The students selected for this fellowship are brilliant researchers and we are delighted that Georgia Tech’s Office of the President is making an investment in their success. We cannot wait to see what the future has in store for these fellows."

Subtitle

With goals to boost science, engineering, and computing Ph.D. researchers from underserved populations, UCEM grows in 2023 to include students from Schools of Biological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics

Summary sentence

Summary

Dateline

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 12:00

renay.san@cos.gatech.edu

Contact

Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

Keywords

College of Sciences

School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

School of Biological Sciences

School of Mathematics

School of Physics

UCEM (University Center of Exemplary Mentoring) Ph.D. Fellowship

C-PIES

Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences

Lewis Wheaton

Danielle Grau

Sierra Knavel

Tony Lemos

Autumn Peterson

Mathematics, Physics Use Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research

bwaye3 — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 16:30:03 +0000

Mathematics, Physics Use Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research bwaye3 Mon, 04/25/2022 - 12:30

Georgia Tech has received two Department of Defense (DoD) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards totaling almost $14 million. The highly competitive government program supports interdisciplinary teams of investigators developing innovative solutions in DoD interest areas. This year, the DoD awarded $195 million to 28 research teams across the country.

Georgia Tech’s MURIs are both primarily within the School of Physics. First, Simon Sponberg, a Dunn Family Associate Professor of Physics and Biological Sciences, leads a team discovering how animals strategically use sensing and cognition to make decisions in complex environments. The project, Fast, Lexicographic Agile Perception Integrates Decision and Control in a Spike-Resolved, Sensorimotor Program (FLAP), specifically addresses the core DoD topic area of understanding neural systems integration for competent autonomy in decision and control.

“We have all these great, sophisticated algorithms for processing big data, but an animal doesn't have time to process a million samples of its environment and then figure out what’s a predator,” said Sponberg.

Studying moths for their agile, sophisticated flying and complex sensing abilities, the team will record electrical activity in the brain to determine how the moths make decisions and use natural language processing techniques to see how a moth derives meaning from sensory cues and movements. The goal is to develop an information processing framework that enables quick, flexible decision-making that could facilitate the next generation of autonomous bio-inspired systems and better integrate living systems with engineered technologies

The interdisciplinary nature of the team makes complex research possible. Half the team is made of experimentalists: Sponberg specializes in sensors connected to motor systems with precisely timed signals; Jeff Riffell, a professor at the University of Washington, studies how the nervous system processes sensory signals to control behavior; and as a vision neuroscientist at Florida International University, Jamie Theobald, determines how animals parse complex environments. The other half of the team will build the framework: Duke Professor Vahid Tarokh models complex datasets, Georgia Tech School of Mathematics Assistant Professor Hannah Choi focuses on neural networks, and Cornell Professor Silvia Ferrari ties it all together as a control theorist embedding control in neural structures.

“MURIs were originally training grants for the DoD to develop the next generation of scientists who would make progress,” said Sponberg. “This funding will allow us to have postdocs and graduate students across all six labs and disciplines working together tightly and creating a community.”

For the second MURI, Programming Multistable Origami and Kirigami Structures via Topological Design, Georgia Tech Assistant Professor Zeb Rocklin is part of a team exploring a new class of origami- and kirigami-inspired flexible, lightweight structures capable of transitioning between many stable shapes to perform different tasks or adapt to changing environmental conditions. These structures could be used in a range of applications, from multifunctional robots and collapsible antennae to rapidly assembled bridges and temporary structures, and force protection elements like origami-inspired bulletproof shields.

The team combines experts in mathematics, physics, material science, mechanics, robotics, numerical modeling, and computation, including Harvard University Professors Katie Betoldi, Jennifer Lewis, L. Mahadevan, and Robert Wood, as well as University of Pennsylvania Associate Professor Eleni Katifori

The researchers will develop mathematical models to characterize and design the complex mechanical behavior of multi-stable origami and kirigami structures; new scale-spanning manufacturing processes that efficiently integrate actuation and sensing; and experimental test beds to serve as a platform for evaluation and optimization of design concepts.

"This project benefits from Georgia Tech's ability to develop tight, powerful connections between engineering advanced technologies and developing universal, mathematically rigorous physical theories,” Rocklin said. “We'll be starting from concepts that anyone can get a sense of by looking at or feeling a piece of origami and using robotics and multifunctional 3D printing to create complex, flexible and robust dynamical structures that can do things nobody has ever seen before."

Subtitle

Georgia Tech professors receive nearly $14 million in MURI Funding

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech has received two Department of Defense (DoD) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards totaling almost $14 million.

Summary

Georgia Tech has received two Department of Defense (DoD) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards totaling almost $14 million.

Dateline

Mon, 04/18/2022 - 12:00

tess.malone@gatech.edu

Contact

Tess Malone, Research writer/editor

Location

Atlanta, GA

Associated importer

Keywords

go-researchnews

go-bio

School of Biological Sciences

School of Mathematics

go-neuro

School of Physics

Biophysics

_for_math_site_

News room topics

Science and Technology

Mercury ID

657516

Source updated

Fri, 04/22/2022 - 13:15

School of Physics Uses Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research

bwaye3 — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:42:57 +0000

School of Physics Uses Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research bwaye3 Tue, 04/19/2022 - 12:42

Subtitle

Georgia Tech professors receive nearly $14 million in MURI Funding

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech has received two Department of Defense (DoD) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards totaling almost $14 million.

Summary

Georgia Tech has received two Department of Defense (DoD) 2022 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards totaling almost $14 million.

Dateline

Mon, 04/18/2022 - 12:00

tess.malone@gatech.edu

Contact

Tess Malone, Research writer/editor

Location

Atlanta, GA

Associated importer

Keywords

go-researchnews

go-bio

School of Biological Sciences

School of Mathematics

go-neuro

School of Physics

Biophysics

_for_math_site_

News room topics

Science and Technology

Mercury ID

657428

Source updated

Tue, 04/19/2022 - 10:49

School of Mathematics

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients

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Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows

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Mathematics, Physics Use Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research

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School of Physics Uses Moths and Origami Structures for Innovative Defense Research

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