51¶ÌÊÓƵ

ckolko@brynmawr.edu

A.B. Mathematical Sciences, Smith College

I’m a PhD student focusing on analysis. Before 51¶ÌÊÓƵ, I studied at Smith College, where my first analysis course piqued my interest in ideas of infinity and sparked my desire to continue exploring the subject. I’m also passionate about making mathematics more accessible through teaching. Outside of math, I love watching basketball, reading, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with family and friends.  

Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? I chose 51¶ÌÊÓƵ because of the strong community and the faculty’s commitment to supporting students, as well as the department’s track record of producing alumni who are both strong educators and researchers. 51¶ÌÊÓƵ provides a supportive environment where I can grow as a researcher and mathematician while also developing my teaching skills.  

lnsair@brynmawr.edu

B.S. Mathematics, George Mason University

I am a Ph.D. student in the Mathematics Department at 51¶ÌÊÓƵ, focusing on number theory and analysis. I am interested in the formulations of physical theories and the mathematics that goes into them. Before joining 51¶ÌÊÓƵ, I studied at George Mason University, where my research focused on the stability of floating objects. This work sparked my fascination with symmetry, a theme that has since become central to my academic pursuits. When I am not doing math, I like to hike, explore the outdoors, and spend time with friends.  

Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? I chose 51¶ÌÊÓƵ for reasons that align with my academic and personal aspirations: the college’s commitment to individualized support, its welcoming community, faculty, research directions, and its historical ties to pioneering female mathematicians like Emmy Noether, Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler among others. 

dreisinger@brynmawr.edu

M.A. Mathematics, 51¶ÌÊÓƵ | M.A. Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University | B.S. Mathematics, University of Evansville |
  
By day, I am a PhD candidate working on my dissertation with Dr. Lisa Traynor and aspiring to a research career in contact and symplectic topology. My research interests include non-classical invariants of Legendrian submanifolds, microlocal sheaf theory, the intersection of contact topology and algebraic geometry, and computational methods; fittingly, my dissertation research uses microlocal sheaf theoretic techniques to distinguish between certain immersed Lagrangian fillings of Legendrian links. By night, I'm extremely enthusiastic about language learning, knitting, and mahjong!
  
Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? Although what initially led me to consider mathematics at 51¶ÌÊÓƵ was the strong presence of topology research in the department, it was the culture of support and solidarity, especially among and between undergraduate and graduate students, that sold me on joining this community. It also certainly doesn't hurt that, especially in a field as traditionally male-dominated as mathematics, the education and growth of mathematicians with marginalized gender experiences is an important part of the history and mission of the department.

avargasjr@brynmawr.edu

M.A. Mathematics, 51¶ÌÊÓƵ | B.S. Mathematics, University of Rochester

I'm Ph.D candidate working under Lisa Traynor's advisement. Mainly I'm interested in differential forms and the enchanting mathematical landscape lain by them. My research with Lisa concerns non-squeezing phenomena in symplectic and contact geometry. Some of my extracurricular interests include art, cycling, and cats.

Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? My experience at 51¶ÌÊÓƵ has been quite a comfortable one thus far. I have found a very welcoming, inclusive and flexible atmosphere here. Overall, I think 51¶ÌÊÓƵ is a great place to do math.  

dvien@brynmawr.edu

M.S. Mathematical Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth | B.S. Mathematics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities  |

Hello! I am a Ph.D. candidate working with Dr. Selvi Kara. My research interests lie in combinatorial commutative algebra. In particular, I like studying edge and cover ideals of graphs and seeing how algebraic invariants of the ideals and graphical invariants relate to one another. I am also highly interested in teaching and the mentorship of undergraduates. Outside of math, I love cooking, exploring coffee shops/restaurants, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? I chose 51¶ÌÊÓƵ because I feel that it is an environment that will allow me to grow as a mathematician, researcher, and educator. I learn best when in collaboration with others, so I really appreciate the close-knit and supportive community that exists here. 

swilliams1@brynmawr.edu

M.A. Mathematics, 51¶ÌÊÓƵ | B.S. Mathematics, Davidson College |

I am a Ph.D. candidate working in applied mathematics with Dr. Erica Graham. My previous mathematical research was in graph theory, specifically coloring problems and zero-forcing, and I also worked on a project in educational policy concerning school choice and segregation. Currently, I'm working in math biology, studying mathematical models of reproductive hormones and ovulatory dysfunction. In my free time, I like to bake, read, and travel with friends.

Why 51¶ÌÊÓƵ? I chose 51¶ÌÊÓƵ because I truly felt welcome here. I've surrounded myself with people who are genuinely friendly and committed to the learning and teaching of mathematics. It's a great environment for me to grow as a mathematician and educator. 

Eva Ackley, 2026

Shir Carasso, 2026

Sarah O'Connell, 2026

Suzanna Semaan, 2026

Linnea Siderhurst, 2027