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Natural Sciences: Stephanie Wang '25

Major(s) and minor(s)

Honors B.S. in Mathematics 

Minor in Computer Science

Pronouns

Any

Hometown

Barrington, IL

Areas of interest/focus in research

Global Optimization, Artificial Intelligence, Reliability Engineering, Automated Theorem Proving, Mathematical Logic, Mathematics Education, etc.

Labs / departments / offsite programs where research was conducted

About me...

Hello! My name is Stephanie and I am a senior studying Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. My research interests are wide and varied––as an applied mathematical we can occasionally get placed in unexpected areas––but can generally be summed up at the nexus of logic, mathematics, and computer science.

Within our mathematics department, I have been the president for our Society of Undergraduate Mathematics Students (SUMS) for three years in a row, as well as a co-coordinator for the annual StemForAll summer research workshop, where I am also the mentor for the "Logical Neural Networks for Automated Theorem Proving" and "Modeling First-Generation Interest and Retention in Undergraduate Mathematics" research groups.

Outside of academics, I love throwing tea parties! I'm not so good at traditional parties, but I've picked up a tea hobby in recent years and so I jump at the opportunity to show off my tea trinkets and brew a personalised cup for someone.

How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?

It has given me the confidence to pursue a PhD even if I am I not 100% sure what I want to pursue after. Research has taught me that not only will my mind change when it comes to research interests, but also the field itself will change too. Thus, I've learned to be comfortable with not knowing to far into the future, and just focusing on my projects now, with flexibility to adapt for the next one.

Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions

I'm the president of our Society of Undergraduate Mathematics Students (SUMS), as well as a member of our Equestrian and Volleyball clubs.

During the summers, I participate in selective research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) which have culminated in publishings in "Reliability Engineering & System Safety" and publicly-available papers on Arxiv.

I have also presented my research from these REUs at conferences such as the Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM), SIAM sectional meeting, and SUMS@Brown; and been a symposium speaker for UofR's Undergraduate Research Expo. I have also been funded for research twice through the Schwartz Discover Program, and the Research Innovation Grant (RIG).

During my junior year, I was also a member of the "Scholar Transforming through Research" (STR) cohort on the Counsel for Undergraduate Research, where we attended a workshop in Washington D.C. and met with our Congress representatives to discuss the importance of undergraduate research.

Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...

in the Hylan 9th floor math lounge, pretending to understand the jokes launched at me by my peers. Or sharing tea and charcuterie with friends. Occasionally both!

Areas where I may be particularly helpful

• Discover Grant Application
• REU Applications
• Academic Planning/Advice

What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?

There are so many opportunities at both the ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é and beyond. Don't be afraid of applying to the ones you know exist, nor talking to people to find out about the ones you didn't know existed!

Email me at: swang157@u.rochester.edu