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Below, our students tell a little about themselves and their research interests and about why they chose ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø. Be sure also to check out a list of recently completed M.A. theses and Ph.D. dissertations on our Alumnae/i page.

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Current Ph.D. Students

Joanne Beckford

jbeckford@brynmawr.edu
 

Lujain Nsair (she/her)

lnsair@brynmawr.edu

B.S. Mathematics, George Mason University.

I am a Ph.D. student in the Mathematics Department at ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø, focusing on number theory and analysis. I am interested in the formulations of physical theories and the mathematics that goes into them. Before joining ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø, 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 ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø? I chose ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø 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.
 

Dee Ann Reisinger (she/they)

dreisinger@brynmawr.edu

M.A. Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University | B.S. Mathematics, University of Evansville

By day, I'm a graduate student working through my courses and getting my feet back under me in academia after a stint in industry. Currently, I'm keeping my mind open about possible research trajectories, but I'm most excited about just about anything related to the topology and geometry of manifolds. By night, I'm extremely enthusiastic about language learning, video game development and history, knitting, and synthesizers.

Why ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø? Although what initially led me to consider mathematics at ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø 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.
 

AJ Vargas

avargasjr@brynmawr.edu

M.A. Mathematics, ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø | 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 ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø? My experience at ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø has been quite a comfortable one thus far. I have found a very welcoming, inclusive and flexible atmosphere here. Overall, I think ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø is a great place to do math. 

Dalena Vien (she/her)

dvien@brynmawr.edu

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

Hello! I'm a third-year math Ph.D. student working under Dr. Selvi Kara. I decided to pursue graduate studies in math after falling in love with teaching as an undergraduate TA and am also really interested in math education at the collegiate level. Outside of math, I love drawing, trying new recipes to cook, traveling (pandemic-permitting) and spending time with loved ones.

Why ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø? I chose ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø because I feel that it is an environment that will allow me to grow not only as a mathematician, but also as an educator. I learn best when in collaboration with others, so I really appreciate the close-knit and supportive community that exists here.
 

Savannah Williams (she/they)

swilliams1@brynmawr.edu