THE STEAMMS SCHOLARS

Musab Abrar (BS in May 2027)
Musab Abrar is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Data Science at the University of Texas at Arlington. Musab has a strong passion for mathematics and is grateful for the many opportunities UTA has provided to explore and apply scientific interests. Among Musab's various campus involvements, this marks Musab's second National Science Foundation program. Musab is a member of the National Science Foundation Research Training Group in Mathematics and Data Science in Human Health, led by Dr. Kojouharov, Dr. Kribs, and Dr. Gallo, where Musab collaborates with a cohort on research focused on developing optimal treatment strategies for cystic fibrosis patients. Musab has also worked with Dr. Shipman on writing a paper aimed at helping universities nationwide implement a UNIV course similar to the one Dr. Shipman teaches for first-year students in mathematics and data science, which is currently under review for publication. Musab hopes to use mathematics and data science to make a meaningful impact in the world and believes that becoming a STEAMMS Scholar will play an important role in Musab's growth as a mathematician. Musab looks forward to representing UTA and contributing to the community throughout Musab's academic journey.

Landon Anderson (BS in December 2026)
Landon is a thirty-one year old senior at UTA majoring in Mathematics with an emphasis in Statistics. Landon is Treasurer of the UTA Actuarial Science Club, and studying independently for the first actuarial exams. After graduating in December 2026, Landon plans to apply for an entry level actuarial position. Outside of class, Landon teaches private guitar lessons, plays guitar with various musical projects in Dallas-Fort Worth, offers independent tutoring, and deals craps for a casino event company.

Kaylea Arif (BS in May 2026) (Kaylea is now a PhD student at Utah State University)
Kaylea is a senior math major graduating in May 2026. Initially, Kaylea began in the UTeach program but quit that program and instead chose to pursue mathematics education research after a first undergraduate research experience with the UTA RTG (Research Training group) led by Dr. Hristo Kojouharov. Currently, Kaylea is working on a bacteriophage mathematical modeling project through RTG, a vector borne diseases project as part of PhD student Amira Claxton's research, a K-8 mathematical education project with Dr. Christopher Kribs, and an undergraduate mathematics education project with Dr. James Alvarez at the University of Texas at Austin. Mathematics research, especially in education is Kaylea's passion. Kaylea also works for the college of education to implement and evaluate a program to increase sustainability education within UTA courses, focusing on engineering education. Kaylea truly believes that mathematics is the language of the universe and would like to explore its intricacies. Along with this, Kaylea hopes to instill a sense of awe around mathematics into as many people as possible. Kaylea enjoys crochet, painting, and spending time with Ryan Arif, Kaylea's wonderful husband, whom Kaylea met in the Introduction to Linear Algebra Class at UTA.

Ryan Arif (BS in May 2026) (Ryan is now a PhD student at Utah State University)
Ryan is a mathematics major and plans to receive his bachelor's degree in May 2026. Ryan will be the first person in Ryan's family with a college degree. Ryan plans to start the PhD program in the fall semester of 2026 and will be the first PhD degree holder in Ryan's family. Ryan's research interests include vector born disease modeling through the NSF-RTG program at UTA led by Dr. Hristo Kojouharov and undergraduate mathematics education under the mentorship of Dr. Theresa Jorgensen with funding from the McNair Scholars Program. Ryan was the president of the UTA chapter of the Mathematical Association of America for a year.

Amy Barreto (BS in December 2026)
Amy was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of seven. From an early age, she demonstrated a strong aptitude for mathematics, even adapting to mathematical concepts in English before fully mastering the language. While attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, her success in calculus encouraged her to consider mathematics as a career path. She later transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington and is now pursuing a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in business, after initially pursuing an accounting degree. She expects to graduate in December 2026. After graduation, she is considering a career in data analysis and may eventually pursue teaching mathematics at the high school or college level.

Austin Brown (BS in May 2027)
Austin is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. pure mathematics degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Post graduation, Austin plans on pursuing graduate studies in the realm of homological algebra, algebraic geometry (particularly in the noncommutative environment), and/or algebraic topology. Austin's most relevant courses - outside analysis - outline abstract algebra up to Galois theory, linear algebra/advanced linear algebra, and homological algebra.

Austin Carlson (BS in May 2026) (Austin is now preparing for doctoral studies)
Austin is a first-generation college student pursuing a B.S. degree in Mathematics on the Applied and Industrial track at the University of Texas at Arlington, with expected graduation in Spring 2026. Austin's research interests span dynamical systems, mathematical control theory, and stochastic modeling, with a focus on applications to human health. As an affiliate of the NSF RTG "Mathematics for Human Health" program, Austin has co-authored work published in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology and has a first-author paper submitted to Sensors & Actuators B: Chemical, reflecting collaborations with faculty in both mathematics and bioengineering. Austin's honors capstone research models the role of temporal overlap in obligate plant-pollinator mutualisms using coupled ODE systems. As President of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Society, Austin has been deeply involved in mentorship and outreach through undergraduate chemistry review programming and direct research mentorship. Motivated by family experiences with serious illness, Austin plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in applied mathematics with the goal of developing mathematical frameworks that improve healthcare outcomes.

Charles Cordell (BS in May 2028)
Charles is an undergraduate pursuing a double major in physics and mathematics at the University of Texas at Arlington. He is currently a junior interested in information theory, artificial intelligence, and AI safety. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, Charles plans to pursue a PhD degree. Charles currently does research in mathematical biology as a part of the RTG research group at UTA. In his free time, Charles enjoys mountaineering and rock climbing.

Vincent Doan (BS in May 2028)
Vincent is a sophomore majoring in pure mathematics at the University of Texas at Arlington, with current interests in mathematical modeling and proofs, and is planning to do PhD studies with the goal of becoming a mathematics professor. Vincent has had experience in coding and CAD modeling.

Yakov Gavriyelov (BS in May 2027)
Yakov is a junior at UTA majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Economics. In spare time, Yakov loves to read fantasy books such as the Stormlight Archive series. Yakov also enjoys hiking wherever traveling. For the past year Yakov has been learning how to 3D print. After completing a bachelor's degree, Yakov hopes to work for an airplane company working on software.

Brioche Glikin (BS in December 2026)
Brioche is the first person in Brioche's family to attend a college. Brioche grew up in a small town in Illinois and graduated in 2016 from Lebanon High School there. In high school, Brioche developed a strong interest in mathematics through Math Team and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering competitions in the mathematics category. Encouraged to pursue engineering because of strong mathematical ability, Brioche attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed a third year towards a degree in aerospace engineering. After the pandemic interrupted the studies in aerospace engineering, Brioche moved to Texas and worked with an Upward Bound program at a Fort Worth high school, where mentoring students helped Brioche rediscover the passion for mathematics and education. Now a pure mathematics major in the Honors College at the University of Texas at Arlington, Brioche is completing an honors capstone focused on differential topology. After earning a bachelor's degree, Brioche plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in mathematics and become a professor dedicated to inspiring future generations to pursue mathematics.

Luis Gonzalez (BS in December 2027)
Luis is a junior math major at the University of Texas at Arlington. Luis graduated from Haltom High School and transferred over from Tarrant County College to the University of Texas at Arlington. Luis plans to pursue a PhD degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor. Luis' interests include playing games with friends and annoying the cat that Luis owns.

Genevieve Kaiser (BS in May 2026)
Genevieve attended Saint Andrew Catholic School from Preschool to 8th grade. Genevieve attended R. L. Paschal High School and graduated in 2021 in the top ten percent of the class. Genevieve was an officer in the Paschal Vagabonds theater club and was a member of the National Honors Society. Genevieve received two Excellence in Language Acquisitions Awards in Spanish and an Ann Brennan Award for Forensic Science the senior year. Genevieve will graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Math, a minor in Spanish for Global Competence, and a minor in Business Management. Genevieve plans to work as a high school math teacher and pass on the love for math, especially trigonometry, to future generations.

Ibrahim Kamel (BS in May 2028)
Ibrahim grew up in Garland, Texas and graduated from Richland Collegiate High School. Growing up, Ibrahim was always a strong math student. However, Ibrahim didn't know wanting to pursue a career in mathematics until Ibrahim took calculus in high school. What struck Ibrahim was the deep history and richness of the lore behind the development of the subject. Ibrahim has always loved learning about history, and mathematics felt like a perfect combination of that interest with Ibrahim's passion for science and problem solving. Since coming to UTA, Ibrahim has been able to take a wide range of math classes and meet a lot of great people who share interests. Ibrahim especially enjoys preparing for the Putnam Exam with a group of friends and developing problem-solving abilities. In the future, Ibrahim hopes to earn a Ph.D. degree in math and pursue a career as a professor at a research university or work in a high-tech area of industry.

Enzo Medina Gonzalez (BS in December 2026)
Enzo is currently a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Actuarial Science. Enzo began the college journey at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas in the Spring of 2023. Enzo then completed the Associate of Arts degree in the Spring of 2024 before transferring to UTA in the Fall of 2024 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science. Enzo plans to continue studying and taking actuarial exams with the goal of graduating and beginning a career as an actuary in the Fall of 2026. Enzo's journey has been full of ups and downs but Enzo is always excited to welcome new and unfound possibilities.

Thien Lai (BS in May 2027)
Thien is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Mathematics with a concentration in Data Science. He is interested in statistics, data analysis, and using data to solve real-world problems. Thien is currently working toward completing his bachelor's degree and hopes to pursue a career in data analytics or data science after graduation.

Ken Nguyen (BS in May 2028)
Ken Nguyen was born in Arlington, Texas and is a mathematics and physics major at the University of Texas at Arlington. Ken is interested in the intersection between mathematics and physics. In Ken's free time, Ken enjoys watching videos and reading blogs and articles over the news, politics, and economy.

Uyen Nguyen (BS in May 2028)
Uyen is a junior at the University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a double major in Data Science and Mathematics. She has a strong interest in statistics and data analysis and enjoys finding patterns in data that can help explain real world problems. Uyen s experience working on projects involving financial fraud detection has especially sparked her interest in applying statistics to finance and banking. After graduating in May 2028, Uyen hopes to pursue a career in data analytics and continue exploring how mathematics and statistics can be used to make better decisions.

Abel Obregon (BS in May 2028)
Abel is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in both physics and mathematics. The overlap between theoretical physics and mathematics interests Abel very much. Abel is deeply dedicated to understanding the inner mechanics of both subjects in foundational readings. After graduation, Abel hopes to pursue a PhD degree in Mathematical Physics and continue to use the problem-solving skills for research.

Clinton Potter (BS in December 2029)
Clinton is a second-baccalaureate student at the University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He currently works as a mathematics tutor at UTA and enjoys helping students develop a stronger understanding of mathematics. He is also finalizing a mathematics paper that he plans to submit for publication. After completing his bachelor's degree, Clinton plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in mathematics and ultimately become a mathematics professor, combining his interests in mathematical research and teaching.

Mbery Samb (BS in December 2027)
Mbery is a junior at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Public Health. As an S-STEM Scholar, Mbery is dedicated to applying quantitative expertise to solve complex challenges in community well-being. Mbery's academic focus lies at the intersection of statistical modeling and data analysis, with the goal of designing more effective public health strategies and improving equitable access to healthcare resources. Beyond the classroom, Mbery is deeply committed to service and mentorship. Mbery serves as a math tutor, helping peers navigate rigorous coursework, and volunteers time at the 4Saints Food Pantry and Viridian Elementary School. These experiences fuel Mbery’s passion for supporting the local community and fostering educational growth. Looking forward, Mbery intends to pursue a graduate degree, either a Master’s degree or a PhD degree in Biostatistics. Mbery is particularly passionate about mentoring students from underserved backgrounds, aiming to demonstrate through their own journey that persistence and hard work are the keys to making a lasting impact in STEM fields.

Santiago Segura (BS in December 2028)
Santiago is a junior double majoring in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Texas at Arlington. As a member of the NSF RTG program, his current research focuses on mathematical biology, while his broader research interests include quantum information, theoretical physics, and particle physics. After graduation, Santiago plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the intersection of mathematics and physics to prepare for a career in scientific research. In his free time, Santiago enjoys bowling, music, and spending time with friends.

Tyler Trujillo (BS in May 2026) (Tyler is now a PhD student at University of Texas at Arlington)
Tyler is an autistic McNair Scholar graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Tyler's goal is to become a mathematics professor at a university, where Tyler can mentor and inspire students while supporting them through academic challenges. As an undergraduate researcher with Dr. David Jorgensen, Tyler studied matrix factorizations of homogeneous polynomials and discovered a relationship between the size of certain matrix factorizations and patterns in Pascal’s Triangle. Presenting this research at eight conferences across the United States, Tyler has strengthened the ability to communicate complex mathematical ideas to diverse audiences. Additionally, tutoring through the Academic Success Center and Learning Resource Center has helped Tyler develop effective teaching strategies. In graduate school, Tyler plans to pursue research in pure mathematics, particularly in algebra or number theory.

Frances Wint (BS in May 2027)
Frances is a senior at UTA, pursuing a BS degree in Mathematics and Data Science. She was born in Georgia, raised in Jamaica, and returned to continue her education in the US. Frances credits her mother as her biggest academic inspiration and motivator. Academically, Frances intends to complete a master's degree in Mathematics or Data Science. Her primary interests are mathematical modeling, data analysis, discrete mathematics, and game theory. Professionally, she hopes to work in operations research or other applied mathematics fields to solve real-world problems through math modeling and data science. Frances has always loved problem-solving and algorithmic processes, but often struggles with feelings of inadequacy in her mathematics ability. However, she loves the pursuit of understanding the subject and truly believes Mathematics is the language of the universe; that Mathematics knows all and we as humans are constantly trying to hear what it has to say. One day, she wants to transition to mentorship roles in industry, or teaching mathematics to young minds; she hopes to rectify the subpar reputation of Mathematics among those she interacts with, and inspire others to pursue their passions through Mathematics.

Ariana Wolf (BS in May 2028)
Ariana is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a double major in physics and mathematics. Ariana is interested in theoretical particle physics (specifically, Yang-Mills theory) and is currently doing computational physics research in neutrino interactions. After graduation, Ariana plans on pursuing a PhD in Theoretical Physics with a concentration in Particle Physics. In Ariana's free time, Ariana likes to oil paint.

Jax Zhu (BS in May 2028)
Jax is a junior pursuing a B.S. degree in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Arlington with a strong interest in pure and proof-based mathematics. His mathematical interest includes number theory, and he hopes to explore other areas in mathematics alongside it through undergraduate research. After graduation, Jax plans on getting a Ph.D. degree in mathematics with a goal to become a professor at a university. As a long-term ambition, he hopes to work toward making significant contributions to mathematics and, ultimately, the Fields Medal.