REU Title
We are excited to announce funding for our summer Research Experience for Undergraduates at Lewis University!
Mentors and Subject Areas
Dr. Amanda Harsy: Graph Theoretical Modeling of DNA Self-Assembly
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Self-assembly is a term used to describe the process of a collection of components combining to form an organized structure without
external direction. The unique properties of double-stranded DNA molecules make DNA a valuable structural material with which
to form nanostructures, and the field of DNA nantechnology is largely based on this premise.
By modeling nanostructures with discrete graphs, efficient DNA self-assembly becomes a mathematical puzzle.
The projects we will work on during this REU revolve around the exploration of the graph theoretical and combinatorial
properties of DNA self-assembly, as well as the development of computational tools to aid in answering fundamental questions that arise.
About Me
I grew up in Chesterton, Indiana and got my B.A. in Mathematics at Taylor University. I also played soccer at Taylor. After Taylor, I went and got my Master's in Mathematics at University of Kentucky. I then went on to get my PhD in Mathematics at IUPUI. During this time, I also taught classes for Butler University and online classes at IU East. I reside in Lockport, Illinois with my husband, Benjamin, my daughters Soraya and Mia, and my two darling kitties Eva and Archer.
Program Benefits
Program Benefits
- Stipend
- Opportunities to present at national and regional conferences
- Free on-campus housing
- work daily with faculty on research
- Learn how to write and typeset a professional mathematical article using LaTeX
- Participate in fun team-building social activities.
- Explore the amazing city of Chicago through boat trips, beach trips, and more
- Learn about a variety of mathematical career options
- Learn about a variety of mathematical research beyond this research through our speaker series
How to help your chances of getting into an REU:
- Take a variety of math classes -don't just take the bare minimum.
- Do some research with a Lewis faculty member to get your feet wet.
- Have another person you trust like a faculty member look over your application essay
- Work hard in your math classes, getting good grades will help, but being able to work hard/develop grit, collaborate in groups, and learn to be self directed and motivated will help too!
- Get involved in outreach or clubs like Math Club or the Math Study Tables
- Develop a good rapport with your professors (because we are awesome, but also it helps us write a great letter for you!)
As a faculty members at Lewis, we have enjoyed including undergraduate students in independent studies and research projects. We have worked with over 70 students on projects. Often students will present their research at regional and national conferences! If you are a Lewis student interested in undergraduate research, please feel free to contact us.
What is Mathematics? What is Mathematics Research?
When I say that I enjoyed math, I don’t mean that I was one of those kids who delighted in adding and multiplying any numbers that I came across or who memorized many digits of pi (what comes after 3.14?), or who liked to participate in quick-fire math contests. What I mean is that I enjoyed the creativity, the logic, the reasoning and the truth that is mathematics.
Dr. Suzanne L. Weekes
Mathematics Professor
Unfortunately, many people have the mistaken idea that math is just a set of rules and calculations. That is not mathematics. You could be working at the Disney Research Group using math to create realistic-looking hair in the movie Moana, you could be designing a new method for Netflix to determine what movies a subscriber would like, or you could even be working on an abstract math problem that uncovers new results, such as finding a fast algorithm to determine whether or not a number is prime. That is how I see math and why I love it. To me, mathematics is beautiful.
Dr. Michael Dorff
Mathematics Professor and Past-MAA President
[Research] is like being lost in a jungle and trying to use all the knowledge that you can gather to come up with some new tricks -and with some luck you might find a way out.
Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani
Mathematician and Fields Medalist
Student Resources
I love being able to help students in anyway that I can! Please stop by my office to get advice about the mathematics major, graduate school, research, attending conferences, or just to chat about cats! This page is meant to give students some resources to help them excel during their time at Lewis! I try to do what I can to help students at Lewis! Sometimes I get repaid with a "Pi" in the face!
Math Honor Societies
If you want to learn more about whether you are eligible to join Pi Mu Epsilon or Kappa Mu Epsilon, please email Dr. Harsy at harsyram ''at'' lewisu ''dot'' edu.
Add a Math Major/Minor
Looking for information about The Lewis Mathematics Major/Minor? Please go here.
Math Careers
Looking for information about Math Careers? Math is a versatile and marketable field of study! Check out this great website! or go to http://weusemath.org/ or check out this video!
