2019-2020Mathematics Ambassadors

Department of Mathematics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Iris Tong I am a senior majoring in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Secondary Education. I love that the Department of Mathematics is able to cater to such a diverse group of fields, and create ample opportunities to learn and do more. Outside of class, I am a part of the Illinois Geometry Lab where I am working on a project called Developing Exciting Outreach Material. I am also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, where I am serving as Vice President of Pledge Training this semester. I am also serving as an LAS 101 intern, where I lead Freshman Seminar. In the future, I hope to become a high school mathematics teacher or work in data analytics. In my spare time, I like to paint and play the trombone.

Steve O’Brien I am a junior double majoring in Mathematics (Applied Mathematics concentration) and Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. I am also working towards the university's Certificate in Data Science and minors in Statistics and Computer Science. I enjoy being part of the Department of Mathematics because it caters to a diverse group of students working towards many different goals. Last year, I participated in a research project with the Illinois Geometry Lab entitled Automata and Numeration Systems led by Professors Phillipp Hieronymi and Erik Walsberg. Outside of the department, I am currently an LAS Honors James Scholar Peer Mentor, assisting four freshmen with navigating their first semester on campus. In my free time, I enjoy watching The Office and cheering on the White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks.

Su Jin I am a sophomore studying Mathematics. I am proud to be part of the Mathematics Department at Illinois because it brings students into personal and professional growth. Currently, I am participating in the Illinois Geometry Lab where I get the opportunity to present math to the local community. The best part is undoubtedly the chance to do math. I am excited to represent the department and interact with people who also have a passion for math. Outside of the Math Department, I am a member of the University of Illinois Astronomical Society and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, binging on YouTube, and walking around the Quad.

Rida SheikhI am a Sophomore majoring in Actuarial Science and minoring in Mathematics. I love my major because I get to learn about the theoretical world of mathematics and the applied. In the future I hope to use my actuarial skills to help the world adapt to climate change. I am currently an undergraduate teaching assistant in an Intro to Macroeconomics course. Outside of academics, I am part of the Actuarial Science Club, I tutor other students, and am a part of the AXIS risk management academy which allows me to look deeper in the world of risk analysis. When I am not quantifying risk, I spend my time baking, watching cooking videos, binging Netflix, and hanging out with my friends!

Cam GrochI am a senior studying Actuarial Science. Currently, I am interested in pursuing a career as an actuary upon graduation. On campus, I am a member of the Actuarial Science Club, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and Wishmakers at UIUC. When I’m not studying for exams, I love to read, travel, play intramural volleyball, and spend time with my friends at the best college campus in the country. I am ecstatic to be a Mathematics Ambassador and share my passion for math with other people.

Cruz CastilloI am a senior majoring in Mathematics. I am particularly interested in Analytic Number Theory more specifically divisor functions and hope to study Analytic Number Theory in graduate school. Last summer, I was a part of an IGL project about Multiple Sclerosis led by Professor Richard B. Sowers. On top of being a math major, I am a course assistant for CS 101. Finally, some of my passions outside of math are skateboarding, building computers and struggling to play guitar.

Yunkai ZhuI am a junior majoring in Mathematics with a concentration in Applied Mathematics. I'm most interested in topics about mathematics analysis, combinatorics and computational math. This year I also work as a math tutor for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. I love this major because it offers students so many opportunities and we can choose whichever direction we would like to pursue; I personally enjoy learning about how math can be combined with economics and computer science a lot. In the future I hope to pursue a career in data analytics. Apart from math, I also love classical music. I play piano and go to concerts in my spare time.

Julisa Payan-Mercado I am a sophomore majoring in Mathematics. I love my major because I’m getting to study something that I’ve liked ever since I was a kid. I enjoy spending time solving puzzles, tackling real world problems, applying what I’m learning and with a major in math I have more opportunities to do this. I love that with math there are many diverse fields which I could go into and explore and be able to adapt, because math goes with so many things. Right now, I am a member of FISH which is the PAR hall council, Make A Wish Club, and starting to be more involved in SHPE (Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers). I’m glad to be a part of all these things and this program because it gives me a chance to meet and connect with more people about the same or different ideas and topics. If I’m not studying or doing homework then I’m probably eating food somewhere around campus.

Claire SongI am a junior double majoring in mathematics with a concentration of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and also minoring in Business. I love math because I enjoy the logic behind the numbers and theories, and I hope I can use what I have learned in the real world and my future career. Outside of class, I have been participating in Illinois Geometry Lab since last semester under the research project called "Pairs of Disjoint Matchings" under Professor Anush Tserunyan. On campus, I am involved in Cornerstone Christian Fellowship and Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity. I am also a DIA tutor, trying to make use of my major!

Karan Srivastava I am a senior in mathematics and for me, math is a beautiful puzzle and story that captures and plays with abstraction and reality. I have taken part in the Illinois Geometry Lab and done research under two wonderful professors- Drs. Susan Tolman and Zoi Rapti - on projects in symplectic geometry and mathematical biology respectively. I have also been a part of the Math in Moscow study abroad program in the spring semester of 2019. The part of the puzzle I want to most play with is algebraic number theory and algebraic geometry. This is in part curiosity that sparked from one of my favorite books - Love and Math by Dr. Edward Frenkel, and in part a fascination inspired from the professors and friends I have met and made in the last four years. This curiosity for exploring puzzles and stories has led me to love other things like teaching, writing, language, manga, and close-up magic. I look forward to sharing this with anyone interested!