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College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

The San Marcos Informal Mathematics In-person Colloquium (SMIMIC)

Spring 2025

  • Thursday, January 30: Stevie Ann Brosh
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206

    Title: Q&A with a Mathematician at the Naval Information Warfare Center

    • Bio: Stevie Brosh holds a B.S. in Mathematics with an emphasis in Statistics from California State University, Long Beach and an M.A. in Mathematics with an emphasis in Teaching Services from San Diego State University. These academic achievements have provided her with a strong analytical background, quantitative skills, and a deep understanding of problem-solving techniques which have led to a successful professional career focused on software development, test, and delivery. Ms. Brosh currently works for the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific as a scientist in the Command and Control Department. During her time at the Center, she has been a software developer, a lead test engineer, and now a deputy project manager responsible for multiple software applications supporting the US Navy and its allies.
  • Thursday, February 13: Dr. Shahed Sharif
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206

    Title: Scissors Beats Paper

    Abstract: If I cut a piece of paper into many pieces, rearrange the pieces, and
    then put them back together, what kind of shapes can I get? We'll give a
    complete answer to this question, and then talk about how complicated it
    gets when cutting solids in 3 dimensions. Paper and scissors will be
    provided! However, rocks are prohibited.

  • Thursday, March 13: Dr. Hanson Smith
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206
  • Thursday, March 27: Dr. Bennet Goeckner
  • Thursday, April 10: Dr. Marshall Whittlesey
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206
  • Thursday, April 17: The Reid Lecture
  • Thursday, May 1: Jack J. Garzella

 


Fall 2024

  • Thursday, September 5: Dr. Brian Freidin
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206

    Title: A generalized van der Waerden game on an infinite board

    Abstract: We will discuss (and play!) some games on the integers. Van der Waerden's game asks you to color the integers {1,2,...,n} using r colors and avoid k of the same color in arithmetic progression. In a variation, two players take turns coloring previously unclaimed integers, and one player wins when the numbers in their color form a specific pattern. We will discuss whether these games must end, who has a winning strategy, and how efficient that winning strategy is. This is based on joint work with students in the Auburn graduate research seminar.

  • Thursday, September 19: Anna Zelenak
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206

    Title: Careers in the Federal Government for Mathematicians

    Abstract: Discover how the Federal Government employs mathematicians in the field of cryptanalysis. This presentation will provide an overview of mathematical applications at the National Security Agency (NSA) and explore the role of mathematics and cryptanalysis in solving complex cases at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). We will conclude with a hands-on session, analyzing real-life evidence from a federal RICO case investigated by the FBI.

  • Thursday, September 26: CRESE Seminar
      • TIME: 12:00-1:00PM
      • LOCATION: Markstein 101
    CRESE Seminar
  • Thursday, October 3: Summer Research Presentations
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION: Commons 206

    Title: Student Summer Research Presentations

    Abstract: CSUSM students Alejandro Leon Figueroa, Carmen Gutierrez, Maxwell Kooiker, Noah Lowery, Brittany Russell, and Dylan Scofield will present on the mathematics they researched and studied over the summer.

  • Thursday, October 17: Rob Howard
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION: Commons 206

    Title: My Journey from CSUSM Math Graduate to Data-Driven Entrepreneur

    Abstract: I’ll share my unique career path after graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics from CSUSM in 1999.  My initial aspirations were to become a high school math teacher, but after successfully navigating the challenging B.S. coursework, I found myself wondering “what else could I do with my Math degree?”  This presentation will explore how a B.S. in Mathematics from CSUSM prepared me for a rewarding and exciting career as a statistical analyst and business owner.  I’ll share what a typical day looks like in my career and how the skills I learned over 25 years ago continue to play a crucial role in my success.

    Bio: Rob Howard graduated in 1999 with a B.S. in Mathematics from California State University, San Marcos.  Since then, he has enjoyed a rewarding career as a data analyst in the pharmaceutical industry and uses SAS to perform statistical analysis of clinical trial data in a wide range of therapeutic areas. In 2007, Rob founded Veridical Solutions and has been an independent consultant providing his analysis services to pharmaceutical companies.  In 2020, he co-founded Emanate Biostats, Inc. further expanding his business endeavors in the industry.

  • Thursday, October 24: CRESE Seminar
  • Tuesday, November 12: Internship Presentation and Q&A
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION: Commons 206

    Title:  From Data to Dialogue: Developing the Ask Margot Chatbot for Travel Nurses

    Abstract: Discover how Haley Lorenz’s Math 495 internship project with Ask Margot leverages data science to support travel nurses in finding hospitals that align with their preferences. Haley will present the development of a chatbot using Amazon Lex, designed to interpret and respond to user queries based on reviews from travel nurses. 

    Haley’s presentation will be followed by an internship Q&A with her, CSTEM Career and Internship specialist Breanna Caso,  Career Center Internship coordinator Monica Gillie, and Math 495 faculty advisor Dr. Andre Kundgen.

  • Thursday, November 14: Dr. André Kündgen
    • TIME: 12:00-12:50PM
    • LOCATION:  Commons 206

    Title: How to guard an art gallery

    Abstract: Consider an art gallery formed by a polygon on n vertices. The basic question is how many guards does it take to supervise the whole gallery? We will answer this question in the worst case, even when we allow some interior walls. Here an interior wall is any interior diagonal of the gallery connecting two vertices. Each interior wall has an arbitrarily placed, arbitrarily small doorway connecting the rooms on either side.

  • Thursday, November 21: CRESE Seminar
    • TIME: 12:00-1:00PM
    • LOCATION: Markstein 101
    • Website

The SMIMIC Archives

  • Spring 2024
    • Dr. Brian Katz, Professor, Mathematics Education and coordinator for the Math Single Subject , CSU Long Beach
    • Dr. Kate Stevenson, Professor of Mathematics, CSU Northridge
    • Dr. Mary Pilgrim, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, San Diego State University
    • Dr. Laird Kramer, Professor, Physics Education Research, Florida International University
    • Dr. Badal Joshi, Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSU San Marcos
    • Dr. Amy Buchmann
    • Dr. Álvaro Lozano-Robledo, Professor of Mathematics, University of Connecticut (2024 Reid Lecture Series speaker)
    • Dr. Nathan Kaplan, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, UC Irvine
    • Advancement to Candidacy: Guillermo Jimenez, Iryna Razhkova
  • Fall 2023
    • Dr. Sixian Jin, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSU San Marcos
    • Dr. Eva Loeser, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Statistics & Operations Research Department, UC Chapel Hill
    • Dr. Emily Cilli-Turner, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of San Diego
    • Advancement to Candidacy: Dylan Scofield


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Individuals with disabilities who would like to attend this event please contact the CSUSM Mathematics Department at mathdept@csusm.edu regarding any special accommodation needs. It is requested that individuals requiring auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify the event sponsor at least seven working days in advance. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.