The featured guest on 5/7 was Natalia Komarova.
What is your position in the Department?
I am Chancellor’s Professor, and also (as of this academic year) the Vice Chair for Inclusive Excellence.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I joined UCI in 2004, I think. Before that I was a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Rutgers, but UCI was a great opportunity for me and my husband to be at the same place.
What is your research area?
I work in Applied Mathematics, on a wide range of topics in Mathematical Biology and Complex Social Phenomena. I look for interesting problems that have to do with life sciences and try to formulate mathematical models (as elegant as possible!) to understand what’s going on. As far as mathematical tools, I find dynamical systems and stochastic methodologies most useful.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Graduate School is a long journey, but it’s totally worth it. It allows you to develop your interests, to do cutting edge research and make a contribution to human knowledge. What can be better? (And in the end, you are awarded a title, “Dr.”, that you get to keep!)
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Definitely, the Arc (which is the big gym). I am not sure what’s happening there now, but when things open up, it’s a great place to keep fit. I enjoy many classes they offer, such as F45, Zumba, etc.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
We are doing things that are normally a huge no-no. Like, we watch TV while eating dinner. We have dessert every night. I don’t work or do anything useful after 9pm (I just read a lot before going to bed!). I told them (my family) that this will stop when things get back to normal, but for now…..a lot of things are allowed!
Are there any show that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
The Good Place (a tv show). It’s really funny (at least, most of it). It’s light hearted and not very deep but entertaining.
What is the best food around Irvine?
Definitely, Tasty Zone Szechwan Cuisine. It’s amazing!
What should everyone who comes to Irvine see?
I think Crystal Cove (the beach park) is really special. When the tide is low, you can see all sorts of sea life.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
I like Joshua Tree National park. The best way for me to enjoy it is to bring some food, and have a barbecue after a long hike. They have very nice barbecue spots in the natural rocks, and you can sit on the rock and watch the stars. Do some research before you go, the hiking trails are not well advertised.
The featured guest on 4/16 was Gena Thompson.
What is your position in the Department?
My position in the Department is Financial Services Analyst 2
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I’ve been at UCI for seven years, I’ve been working in Math for 3 1/2 years. I was working at UCR in the Math Department for 6 1/2 years, then I came to UCI as a temporary employee before I got hired as a full-time employee.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
The one thing every new grad student should know is, UCI is committed to excellence through diversity and to the goal of reflecting diversity in our faculty, student and staff populations, as well as our teaching, research.
How would you describe Rowland Hall to someone who has never been on campus?
I would describe Rowland Hall as a old building, from the outside it looks old and when you come inside each floor looks like a hospital. We joke about that all the time.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Someone first coming to UCI should see/experience Aldrich Park, It’s really nice and relaxing just to walking around Aldrich Park or just sitting out on the grass when you need to get out of Rowland Hall. Also, I think every incoming student should also get involved in all the activities/programs UCI has to offer, there are a lot of programs and activities for students that are really beneficial.
What was the first (CD/album/concert) you ever (bought/attended)?
The first (CD/album/concert) I ever (bought/attended) was Prince. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so we of course love Prince.
Are there any shows or other media that you cannot stop yourself from consuming recently?
The tv show that I cannot stop myself from watching is Maury. I think it is so funny how these women really think these men are the father of there kids and when they find out the men are not, they really start acting so ridiculous, it’s like you are on TV acting like this, They are so dramatic, and it makes me laugh.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
I’m using my time at home to stay sane by spending a lot more time with my Mother and my 16 year old son. I have a 24 year old son also. My 16 year old will be graduating in 2022, so he and I are more focused now than when I was on campus. Making sure my family is okay makes me stay sane.
What sports teams are you devoted to?
My favorite sports team is of course the Minnesota Vikings.
The featured guest on 4/9 was Neil Donaldson.
What is your position in the Department?
Continuing Lecturer. I’m responsible for teaching undergraduate courses (3 per term), but have no contact with the graduate program except via my TAs. Lecturers are non-senate faculty, so I’m not an official part of departmental or university governance like a (Teaching) Professor. The `continuing’ bit just means I have some seniority and therefore a bit of job security.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
Since Fall 2006: first class was Group Theory 120A, and quite the revelation it was! Through Spring 2009 I was a VAP (Visiting Assistant Professor) working with Chuu-Lian Terng on integrable systems. After this (partly thanks to the last financial crisis) I taught on and off at UCI and elsewhere until returning full time in 2012. UCI was my first `proper’ job after completing my Ph.D at Bath University, England. I grew up in St. Andrews, Scotland and did my undergrad at Edinburgh University.
What is your research area?
Differential Geometry, though it’s been nearly 10 years since any papers I’ve written were published. While I found my research interesting, I’m happy to have left many aspects of the research experience behind me: more teaching, less pay and less stress have proved an excellent trade and have been awesome for my mental health!What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
That it’s completely normal to feel utterly lost for large periods of time and to feel like almost everyone else is cleverer than you. Most graduate students never felt serious pressure as undergraduates, so to finally feel bad at math can be a big challenge to your self-conception. It’s impossible to appreciate the depth of knowledge of a veteran professor and the work required to achieve it until you work closely with someone: expect to be intimidated, but also remember that they were thinking about this stuff while you were in diapers…
How would you describe Rowland Hall to someone who has never been
on campus?
Feels like a place where old school science is done. Hissing tanks of nitrogen and asbestos abatement adds to the science-lair ambiance.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Crystal Cove State Park, starting from the Pacific Ridge Trailhead. At sunset the view to Catalina island is beautiful. Then get a set of wheels and go climb Mt San Jacinto on a clear day. It’s a pain to get out of the LA/OC metro but California’s got some of the most incredible outdoor locations in the world: make the most of being here.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
My kids (4 year old Muriel and 7 week old Tristan) help a lot. It’s been tiring wearing the Dad and work hats simultaneously, but the lockdown would have felt much more purgatorial without their distractions. I’ve also spent a lot of time on construction projects/home improvement and brewing beer and wine.
What was the first (CD/album/concert) you ever (bought/attended)?
First concert was probably by a Scottish folk group called the Corries as a kid. Cassette: Simple Minds’ Live in the City of Light. CD: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. And no, I’m not that old. My parents stopped buying music around the time of Sgt Peppers, so I could happily listen to 70’s and 80’s music as a teenager while still successfully irritating them 🙂
What is the best food around Irvine?
Avocados and limes seemed an amazing luxury when I arrived from Britain. My previous experience of Mexican food was sub-tacobell standard so that also was a revelation, as was the idea of high-quality vegetarian food. When I was a postdoc in Irvine I used to regularly eat at the Taco Rosa south of Campus and the Veggie Grill at UTC. Now I’m in Long Beach, and my favorite spot is the Belmont Brewing Company: sea views and they make their own beer, what’s not to like? The only thing I miss from the UK is the easy availability of good Indian food.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
Joshua Tree. It’s other-worldly, and if you’re into star-gazing you might even see some. Nothing beats watching the Perseids unencumbered by light pollution.
The featured guest on 3/5 was Josh Jordan.
What is your position in the Department?
I’m a 4th year grad student in geometry and one of the math department union stewards.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I’ve been here for 4 years. I came to grad school right out of undergrad at Wright State University. I did math and physics there.
What is your research area?
In a couple words, I study complex and generalized complex differential geometry. A slightly longer version is that I study PDEs on geometric spaces having complex analytic coordinates and whose angle function satisfies a weaker integrability condition than usual.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
The beach for sure. The beaches are pretty fantastic. Corona del Mar has tide pools, La Jolla is gorgeous, Huntington is a little boring but there’s always space, Newport has a bunch of shops and food places.
Are there any books that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
Jane McAlevey’s “No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age” is a case study of different approaches to helping communities organize for collective action and how they work in the long run.
What is the best food around Irvine?
I don’t have a car, so my favorite places are all pretty close. Tacos and Co. has a very tasty veggie burrito. Ray’s Pizza at UTC makes a veggie sub that they must toast in the pizza oven or something because the bread is crunchy and it’s got tomatoes and it’s just very good.
What should everyone who comes to Irvine see?
The hiking trails behind MSTB have a fantastic view of the mountains (as long as it’s not too smoggy out).
The featured guest on 2/26 was Ingrid Richey.
What is your position in the Department?
Administrative Front Desk office Coordinator
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I’ve been with UCI for almost 6 years. I worked at Palo Verde Housing on campus before joining the Math Department in Feb 2019. Before UCI I worked as an Administrator for a Third Party Pension Plan Firm.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Spend time on your mental health by doing something for yourself, possibly outdoors, or exercise activity. When I worked at PV they used to hold free yoga classes every week for the grad student residents and I thought that was a great outlet to relax and calm your busy life. Also, take advantage of your resources around you from staff, faculty and mentors.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Someone first coming to UCI should spend time in Aldrich Park. I find it to be peaceful and fun to people watch.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
There’s a couple of things I’m doing to stay sane while at home. I’ve been running on my lunch break and sometimes in the morning when it’s not too cold, I actually had a PB at 7.5 miles so I’m proud of that and wouldn’t have been able to motivate myself if we weren’t working remotely so that’s a positive for me. I’ve started working on the weekends and some evenings with a professional organizer, and I’ve been making lots of dishes from scratch.
What was the first CD/album you ever bought?
My first cassette I ever bought was Belinda Carlisle and would play it all day long until my little sister would tell me to shut up.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
Something a lot of people don’t know about me is when I travel I go on the whim without any plans. I love being very spontaneous when doing things especially when by myself. I went to American Samoa where my sister lives, just took a leave from work, packed my house and put everything in storage. Once on the island for a few weeks I asked her to drop me off at the airport so I can travel to other islands, but never really having an agenda or reservations. I also did that when I traveled to Italy, Germany and Colorado.
The featured guest on 2/19 was Alessandra Pantano.
What is your position in the Department?
Associate professor of teaching. It a tenure track position but the focus in on teaching and supporting the undergraduate program, rather than on research.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I joined UCI in 2007, after a 3-year post-doc at Cornell University. Here at UCI, I was a part-time lecturer and assistant specialist for three years, and then applied for my current position (which was then called Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment).
What is your research area?
Originally, my research focus was on Representation Theory. That was the topic of my undergraduate thesis at the University of Rome (II), and I really enjoyed it. I came to graduate school in the US to continue to investigate this research area. I was a student at Princeton, but spent two years at MIT in the middle of my PhD (as a visiting student one year and visiting scholar the other year) to work with David Vogan, an expert in the field of Representation Theory. He was such a fantastic advisor! Over the years, my research interests shifted more towards education. I am particularly interested in promoting equity and diversity in education (at all level, from K-12 through college) and in active learning teaching techniques. I am currently collaborating with colleagues at the UCI School of Education to identify best practices for inclusive after-school programs for middle school students.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
The importance of building a support group. Graduate math courses are way harder than what you studied as an undergraduate. You may struggle at times and inevitably start to compare yourself to other students in your class. You may start feeling inadequate and think that the best approach is to isolate yourself so others don’t notice… Please don’t! Most graduate students experience these feeling, at one point or another in their PhD, and it is so much easier to go through graduate school with the company of your peers. Asking for help on a math problem does not make you any less smart. So, reach out to your peers, ask for help when needed and be there for them when they need you! My first advice for new graduate students is to try to build a community: be ready to both seek and offer support to fellow students. My second advice is in regards to faculty mentors. When you look for a research advisor, look for someone who works in an area of math that you love, but also make sure he/she is someone you feel comfortable with in terms of day-to-day personal interactions. And be open to the idea of having multiple mentors: the professor who guides your research does not necessarily have to be the same faculty member you talk to about your personal issues, your teaching or your career choices. It’s OK to reach out to multiple mentors. Mentoring is often something fluid and dynamic, that is not established through formal channels.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Definitely a walk in Aldrich park. I love the trees in the middle of the park, especially the ones with the big roots…
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
Lately, we really enjoy cooking together as a family. It all started when my son, Luca, became interested in Gordon Ramsey’s cooking shows. At first, we were just watching an episode after dinner, then we got Luca one of Ramsey’s cooking books and he decided he wanted to try all the recipes on the book! So we are trying new things every week. It is fun to cook all together. My daughter, Arianna, also enjoys cooking. We did pasta together once, which was fun because it reminded me of my grandma who used to make “tagliolini” for the whole family on Sundays.
What is the best (food/drink fill-in-the-blank) around Irvine?
My whole family really loves the shake shack in Crystal Cove. That view is worth a million dollars and yet you can get a milkshake for a few bucks, sit down and enjoy the sunset.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
We are fortunate to have a cabin in the mountains in Idyllwild. I would move there if I could convince my family…
The featured guest on 1/29 was Bob Pelayo.
What is your position in the Department?
I’m an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Math department, which means that most of my responsibilities are related to making sure that the educational aspects of our curriculum go smoothly.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I started at UCI in July 2019. Before that, I was a math professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo for about 11 years. Since I was born and raised in Southern California, coming to UCI has been a bit of a ‘homecoming’ for me.
What is your research area?
In mathematics, I’ve written papers in topology, commutative algebra, and monoid theory. I also think a lot about and write papers on Data Science pedagogy (I’m the Math Data Science advisor), as well as equitable teaching practices at the undergraduate level.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Grad school should teach you not just to be a great math researcher, but also how to be a solid math educator and communicator. For those of us that stay in academia after graduation, a lot of our future work will be spent teaching and communicating math, so a decent amount of our our graduate time should be spent honing these skills.
How would you describe Rowland Hall to someone who has never been on campus?
Old Skool Cool. You can tell a lot of great theorems and memories have been created within these walls.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
Aldrich Park. Definitely. During my (dwindling) free time, I used to sit in the park and appreciate the calming beauty between the bustle of students walking to their next class.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
Jogging/Walking in the UCI natural preserve. It’s pretty much the only place I go these days…but it’s a necessary part of my day. I think some of my best ideas come when I’m jogging. Instead of thinking about how tired my legs are, I think about non-unique factorizations or interesting curricular ideas.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
I’ve been a vegetarian since I was in college. It started with a bet, where I wanted to see if I could be a vegetarian for 1 month. After the first few difficult days, it got a lot easier…and no meat has touched my lips in about two decades. People always ask me if it’s inconvenient to be a vegetarian…and the answer is Yes. But I appreciate the inconvenience since it reminds me that doing my part to help the earth is something that requires constant work.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
Probably Big Bear…or anywhere in the mountains. After living in Hawaii for more than a decade, it’s nice to be able to play in snow every once in a while. Growing up, I didn’t see snow until I was in grad school, so I am making up for lost time.
Is there an anecdote from your childhood you used to think was embarrassing but now you think is funny?
When I was a kid, I went with my parents to one of their friend’s house. As I was around 7, I was bored and kept being naughty. So, my mom would keep on putting me on “time out” for 15 minutes at-a-time. I kept “breaking out” the time-outs, and she would put me on additional time-outs. At one point, I counted that she put me on 24 of these 15-minute time outs. I told my mom that with these many time-outs, I had accumulated 6 hours…which is longer than the time we would be at her friend’s house. Thus, I could keep being naughty and earning time-outs since they wouldn’t really mean anything. This is also the first time (of many future times) that I was called a smart-ass by my mom. I took it is a compliment.
The featured guest on 1/22 was Anna Ma.
What is your position in the Department?
Visiting Assistant Professor
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
This is my second year here and before this, I was at UCSD.
What is your research area?
My research area is in Numerical Linear Algebra and Machine Learning. In particular, I design and analyze new algorithmic approaches to solve problems, usually involving large amounts of data when traditional approaches are no longer appropriate.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Taking care of your mental and physical health is hard work and is something that not many people are inclined to invest energy and time into but its worth it. I recommend finding a fulfilling (i.e., probably not Netflix binging) hobby that allows you to unwind and relax. Bonus points if it’s a physical activity that get you outside or moving around.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
A walk around Aldrich park! This was one of the firsts things I did when I arrived on campus and I like to take walks in the middle of the day between meetings if I don’t have to walk to teach classes. It’s very relaxing and there’s a quiet, secluded area in the center of the park that’s nice to chill in.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
Looking back, I went through a bunch of phases. I made noodles from scratch, started baking bread, crocheted for a bit, and more. I think the one thing that helps me stay sane the most is maintaining a regular schedule, staying organized, and not letting the entire day just be a glob of whatever comes up.
Are there any tv series that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
I finally watched Umbrella Academy and I loved it! My favorite characters are Klaus and Five. The music they use in the show is also amazing. I can’t wait until the next season comes out!
What is the best food around Irvine?
I really like the Taiwanese food I’ve found in Irvine. There’s a steam table cafe in Irvine called Yu’s Garden and I love going there for the Tomato Egg dish and enjoy the variety of sides that they offer. It’s also super affordable and they give you very generous portions.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
In graduate school, I used to tell people that if academia didn’t work out I would join the circus. Not seriously but I did do a lot of aerial arts including static trapeze, lyra, silks, and hammock. I ended up buying my own silks rig but since aerial studios have closed, I’ve become very out of shape/practice and all the strength and flexibility is out the window. 🙂
The featured guest on 1/15 was Dennis Eichhorn.
What is your position in the Department?
I am a Full Specialist, Step III.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I came to UCI in 2007. Before that, I got my PhD at the University of Illinois, and was a VIGRE postdoc at the University of Arizona. Before that, I loved marching band, and I worked my way through college at West Chester University, tutoring math and bussing tables at the local Ground Round restaurant.
What is your research area?
I work in several areas of combinatorics and number theory, and my greatest mathematical passion is for studying integer partitions.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Getting a PhD does not guarantee you a position in academia.
What do you think someone first coming to UCI should see/experience?
The beach. It’s so close, but so easy for us to forget and take for granted.
What teams are you devoted to?
The Mathletes, which is the name of our UCI Math department intramural sports teams. Going back to my time in grad school, I have been on math department intramural teams (especially Flag Football) for over two decades.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
I am an accomplished poker player.
Are there any TV series/movies/books/podcasts that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
No.
What is a simple theorem that every mathematician should know, but most don’t?
Euler’s Pentagonal Number Theorem. We all understand (1+x)n quite well. We should all understand (1-x)(1-x2)(1-x3)…, too.
The featured guest on 1/8 was Mike Cranston, rejoining us for the first week of Winter quarter!
Adding onto his previous answers (see below on 10/2):
How would you describe Rowland Hall to someone who has never been on campus?
RH is a mix of old and new. The outer wings attached to the building were added about ten years ago, the inner core was built in the 60s. The inner core looks like it’s trying to be futuristic, yet the windows resemble medieval portals through which one could shoot arrows at invaders. Most people don’t notice, but there are different colors on each floor.
Is there an anecdote from your childhood you used to think was embarrassing but now you think is funny?
I’m not sure this was ever embarrassing, but maybe it’s amusing. When I was in fifth grade, I was a bit of a trouble maker. One January day, my teacher kept me after school for punishment. By the time I was starting to go home, it was already dark outside and since this was Minnesota, it was also very cold and I had a couple of miles ahead to walk home. As I left the school and was crossing the playground I passed the backstop for the baseball diamond. The posts for the backstop were metal and for some reason it popped into my mind that the teacher had warned us to never touch our tongues to anything metal outside during the winter. Being a skeptic and always looking for some act of defiance, I walked over to the backstop and pressed my tongue against the metal post. My tongue immediately and firmly froze to the post and it was clear that it would tear the skin off my tongue if I tried to pull it off. Now being late, there was no one left in school to save me. The playground was not visible from the street and there were no homes nearby, so there was no chance anyone would come to my rescue. Also, with my tongue attached to the pole it was impossible to yell for help. As I was contemplating my options, I realized that the heat of my tongue was beginning to melt the ice near the edges where it was frozen to the post. So, I put my mittened hands on either side of my mouth and began blowing hard at the post. This kept the warm air from my breath trapped and warmed up the pole. In a short time this thawed the ice holding my tongue to the post and I was released from my predicament. We were also told to never eat yellow snow and that I never tried.
What sports teams are you devoted to?
I’m a long suffering Vikings fan, but that might be redundant. I should probably just say a Vikings fan, the “long suffering” being understood. This goes back to my highschool days. I grew up in the town where the Vikings held their training camp. In the summer, I would see the Vikings players around town and I would also go to watch them practice from time to time. I still watch them regularly even though I left Minnesota in 1980.
The featured guest on 12/11 was Manny Reyes.
What is your position in the Department?
Associate Professor
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I just arrived in the summer of 2020! I was previously a faculty member at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
What is your research area?
My research is in ring theory. I’m often interested in relationships between commutative and noncommutative algebra. (This is at least partly inspired by my fascination with the relationship between classical and quantum mechanics.) For example, a long-term problem for me has been studying various ways of extending the prime spectrum from commutative rings to noncommutative rings. I also like to think about the relationship between ring theory and other mathematical topics, so I tend to think in terms of category theory whenever possible
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
It’s no secret that grad school is a big challenge. I would recommend finding ways to take care of your mental health early on and making a habit of tending to your own wellness. It wasn’t until several years beyond grad school that I learned how to do so for myself, but it’s made a big difference in both my personal and professional life ever since. I wish I had understood the potential benefits much sooner!
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
I’ve been trying to keep up with exercise by running most days of the week. I’ve found that this has a big positive impact on my mental health. I’ve also been looking for shows to watch with my whole family – lately my kids really love The Great British Baking Show. Who would have guessed?!
Are there any tv series/movies/books/podcasts that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
Yes indeed! I loved reading Francis Su’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing, and I highly recommend it to any math student. Some shows that I’ve enjoyed recently were Tales From the Loop, Ted Lasso, The Mandalorian, and Man Like Mobeen. If you’re willing to count video games as well, then I’ve found Animal Crossing to be very therapeutic these days…
What is the best food/drink option around Irvine?
Since I have only been here a few months I have a lot more to learn that I have advice to give! But I can confidently say that if you’re looking for a good burger, The Cut won’t disappoint!
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
Santa Barbara! It’s a beautiful and fun spot to be, but it also feels a bit like a second home to me since I spent my college years nearby.
The featured guest on 12/4 was (me!) John Peca-Medlin.
What is your role in the department?
I am in my final year here in the PhD program, and I am the inaugural COMP Fellow.
What is your research area?
I study random matrix theory with Mike Cranston and Tom Trogdon (now at UW).
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I started my program in 2015. I deferred for a year so I could better prep moving my family to Irvine away from Washington state, where all of my wife’s family and some of mine live. I was working in Seattle as a data analyst in the Office of Research at UW for 5 years, and before that I was a research analyst with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center in Olympia, WA for about 3 years.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
There are a lot of support networks at UCI . You don’t have to go it alone, and you should never feel guilty asking someone else for advice. Inversely, you should then be willing to serve as a guide for those that follow.
Are there any tv series that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
I usually spend way too much time watching tv and movies. In October (as always) I watched a horror movie a day. Although, I gave myself a little wiggle room since I allowed each episode of The Haunting of Bly Manor (on Netflix) to count in this total. (I really enjoyed the previous “season”.) I also included episodes of Lovecraft Country (on HBO), which I really liked. I mean, I don’t only watch horror things. I’m also going through The Vow about NVIXM and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark about the Golden State Killer on HBO. (I mean, those aren’t very light hearted.) Oh, Dash & Lily on Netflix I thought was very pleasant.
What sports teams are you devoted to?
I grew up in North Carolina and so have always been a fan of the UNC men’s basketball team. I would guess I’ve watched probably all but 10 or so games in the last 25 years. Antawn Jamison once told me I had a good left-hand layup. Also, I’ve been following the Seahawks for the last decade or so, first starting out as just a bandwagon thing but it has grown beyond that. There is a Seahawks bar in Costa Mesa that I enjoyed a few times in the past.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
I’m a big fan of Bruce Campbell. I used to have something some might call a shrine, but now those artifacts are spread out a bit. Whenever I join something that wants a personal webpage, I usually default with bruce-campbell.com. One time I went to Alaska for my brother’s wedding, and I showed up a week earlier partly due to familial duties of helping with logistics and whatnot but mostly because I wanted to go to a screening for a The Man with the Screaming Brain and book signing.
The featured guest on 11/13 was Kat Dover.
What is your role in the department?
I am a fourth year graduate student.
What is your research area?
I am currently studying the mathematical principles of data visualization under the guidance of Dr. Roman Vershynin. I am researching the geometric properties of the popular visualization method t-SNE, and I am also exploring new data visualization methods using neural networks.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I have been at UCI for four years. I went directly from undergrad to grad school after I got my degree from Harvey Mudd College.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Every new grad student should know that it’s important to find some kind of outlet (unrelated to grad school) to help balance with the stress of grad school.
Are there any tv shows, movies, books, podcasts that you cannot stop yourself from consuming recently (i.e., hate-watch/read/listen)?
I am really into teen drama tv shows. I’ve watched things like Degrassi, Gilmore Girls, Teen Wolf, Riverdale, and Sabrina. Currently I’m watching Dawson’s Creek.
Are there any tv shows, movies, books, or podcasts that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
I am a big fan of Dateline (the murder mystery show) and I recently discovered they have a podcast called ‘The Thing about Pam’ and it’s wild and really interesting to listen to.
This featured guest on 11/6 was German Enciso.
What is your position in the department?
I’m a professor in the department specializing in mathematical biology, and I also coordinate the graduate program in my role as graduate vice chair. I want to congratulate John for running this space, it’s great to see different people from the department being featured here.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I lived in Boston for a couple years before coming here, I was doing a postdoc position at Harvard Medical School where I tried my hand at pipetting and modeling actual biological systems. It wasn’t a very long time but it shaped a lot of the research that I do now. Before that I did another postdoc at Ohio State University, and before that I was a math PhD student at Rutgers. I come originally from Colombia and grew up in Bogota going to a German K-12 school (no pun intended).
What is your research area?
I study chemical reaction networks in many different contexts in cell biology, especially with an emphasis on stochastic effects. Some of the problems I have recently worked on include how Chlamydia make decisions, or how one full meter of DNA is wrapped tightly around molecular beads so it can fit inside a tiny cell nucleus.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
You should take advantage of free food when available! I also recommend students to get a car as early as you can – it opens up your world and allows for many more options for eating, exploring and traveling. I paid $500 for my first car and while that was probably pushing it, you can probably get a good one starting at around $2500.
How are you using your time at home to stay sane?
What was the first CD or album you ever received?
I don’t know about the first one but I distinctly remember wanting to hear a piano CD back when you had to buy music at the store. A mathematics friend had just bought it, and seeing my face he just handed it to me. It made me a lifelong friend, and also a lifelong hobby of playing piano, because I spent two weeks deciphering the song so I could play it.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
I love going to Crystal Cove on the beach. It has so many different activities, of course walking along the beach and looking at the barnacles on the rocks, but also there are nice walking paths, great inexpensive food with beautiful sunset views in Ruby’s, and lots of mountain trails in the mountain section of the park. Also, if you’re lucky you can get a cottage to spend the night with a group of friends and listen to the ocean while you fall asleep.
This featured guest on 10/30 was Jess Schirle.
What is your role in the department? What did you do/where were you before joining us?
I’m a third year math PhD student studying under Isaac Goldbring. I came to UCI in the Fall of 2018 just after graduating from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (which is where Isaac got his PhD). I had done a double major in math and philosophy with a math concentration in graduate prep. So I’ve known for a while that I wanted to work on my PhD in math, but it wasn’t until my senior year that I truly found a field that I knew I wanted to research in.
What is your research area?
My research area, broadly, is mathematical logic! I love analyzing how logic works, and what we can actually do from a sort of “meta-logical” perspective. Namely, I do research in this area called model theory, which is simply described as universal algebra + logic. It’s a beautiful subject that often offers incredibly short proofs of profound statements. Right now, I’m looking at what are called “existentially closed fully residually free groups.” The “fully residually free” just means that if I have n elements from this group, there’s a homomorphism to a free group such that none of these is in the kernel. The existentially closed part is a model theoretic notion, which is almost the logical analogue to being algebraically closed.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Grad school is hard, both in ways that you might expect, but sometimes in ways that you’re blindsided by. I had no idea how much my financial situation would impact my mental health and general well-being. But I also recently heard a good description of what free time in grad school is like: When you want the free time, it’s there for you to take, but once you start to work, you realize just how little free time you actually have.
How are you using your extra time at home?
What extra time?
But in all seriousness, I’ve been doing a lot more crosswords and sudoku than usual. A few people in my cohort introduced me to the YouTube channel Cracking the Cryptic, and it’s addicting. I also was recently inspired to make my own crosswords, and I’ve constructed two of them now. The first one is a math theme and waaaayyyy too niche to be a good puzzle. The second has a much more hip theme and I think turned out pretty darn well 🙂
What is the best food around Irvine?
I’m OBSESSED with Ethiopian food. I’ve literally never had a bad experience at an Ethiopian restaurant. There’s not a lot in OC, but Tana Ethiopian in Anaheim is definitely the best. I’m pretty it’s entirely run by these older Ethiopian women (at least, I’ve never seen anyone else behind the counter), and they’re the sweetest and make the best food ever. 10/10
What was the best concert you ever attended?
Either when I saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor at the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, or when I saw the Fall of Troy on their reunion tour when they played in Joliet, IL. Both shows were sold out, but totally different vibes. So many people were crowd-surfing at the Fall of Troy that the security didn’t have enough people to stop everyone or keep them kicked out of the venue.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
I think I’m fairly open about my political leanings (especially as a department steward for the union, I’m obviously pretty pro-labor), but I’m not always as vocal about my religious beliefs. I’m actually a devout Christian and have been my whole life! My beliefs have definitely changed in different ways over the years, but it’s a central part of my identity 🙂
This featured guests on 10/23 were Kelly Isham and Jesse Kreger.
What is your role in the department? What did you do before joining us?
Jesse: I am a 5th year graduate student. I did my undergrad at Occidental College in Los Angeles and went to high school in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Kelly: I’m a 5th year graduate student. I did my undergrad at Skidmore College in upstate New York. Before that, I spent most of my childhood in a small town in Vermont.
What is your research area?
Jesse: I am a mathematical biologist, and work on modeling the evolutionary dynamics of viruses (specifically HIV) and cancer with super awesome advisors Natalia Komarova and Dominik Wodarz!
Kelly: I work in number theory with Nathan Kaplan.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Jesse: Grad school is highly individualized and different for everybody. It’s a lot more fun if you can find ways to work together and support fellow grad students rather than comparing yourself or competing with them!
Kelly: There are a ton of resources on campus to help you. We’ve talked about a few during the COMP seminar like the counseling center and Peer Mentor Program. Grad Division also puts on a lot of programming for graduate students including academic counseling and DECADE.
What sports teams are you devoted to?
Jesse: For my entire life I have been completely devoted to the Georgetown Hoyas basketball teams and more recently I am a huge fan of tennis player Madison Keys.
Kelly: I’m a big hockey fan. I’ve been a Tampa Bay Lightning fan since birth (I was born in Tampa Bay). Now that I’m in SoCal, my primary team is the Ducks, but I still follow the Lightning closely.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
Jesse: The beach? The mountains? The desert? Or even better all three in one day?
Kelly: I love quiet beaches. They’re harder to come by in SoCal, but you can find some less traveled beaches near Laguna. If you’re up for a workout, 1000 Steps Beach is fun.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
Jesse: I am completely deaf in my right ear (and have been since birth).
Kelly: I love traveling. Also, my partner is completely deaf in his left ear, which makes for fun game nights with Jesse.
The featured guest on 10/16 was Kate Lynch.
What is your position in the Department?
Graduate Student Affairs Officer
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I started at UCI in May this year. Before this I was an Academic & Career Advisor for a small university in Portland, OR!
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Your staff and faculty members are all here to support you and get to know you as a person and scholar- don’t be shy about reaching out with any questions or comments!
How are you using your extra time at home?
I’m getting lots of extra cuddle time with my two dogs, cooking up new recipes, and spending a lot more time outside! Also watching a lot of Netflix/Hulu/football.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
I am really into tattoos and learning about the tattoo process. I have 10 so far and plan to get more!
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
San Diego is my favorite local getaway. It has great Mexican food, breweries, parks, beaches, music venues, hiking, and a more relaxed vibe than OC!
The featured guest on 10/9 was Nathan Kaplan.
What is your position in the Department?
Associate Professor.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I came to UCI in 2015. Before that I was a postdoc at Yale for two years and before that I was a grad student at Harvard.
What is your research area?
I am primarily a number theorist, but I also have interests in algebraic geometry, coding theory, and combinatorics.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
The first year or two of graduate school can be very stressful, You have hard classes that you have to take and exams that you have to pass. I think it’s important to keep in mind that once you get over this initial hurdle, the rest of your graduate school experience is completely different. You won’t be thinking about required classes and passing exams, instead you’ll spend your time becoming a world expert in a research area and you will work on pushing the boundaries of the world’s mathematical knowledge a little bit further.
How are you using your extra time at home?
I have a 22 month old, Theo (it is not short for Theorem), who usually attends daycare at UCI during the week. Because of COVID-19 daycare was closed from March until a few weeks ago, so I have mostly been spending my extra time at home hanging out with the little guy. His current interests include (in order): Fire Truck, Garbage Truck, Mail Truck. I am currently working on his mathematical training. So far he confidently uses the words ‘One’ and ’Two’ and also ‘Five’ (but never ’Three’ or ‘Four’).
Are there any tv series or movies that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
During the COVID-19 I have been watching lots of movies and TV. One highlight is a German movie from a few years ago, Toni Erdmann. It is absolutely the best 2h42m German language comedy about the relationship between a father and his adult daughter that primarily takes place in Romania of all time. To swing to the other end of things, when I’m stressed out about work or life, I like to watch documentaries that are really serious and depressing (it helps with perspective by making my own problems feel small). Two recent favorites are: Minding the Gap and Gleason.
What is the best Mexican food around Irvine?
There is a Mexican restaurant in Costa Mesa called Taco María that I think is really great. It’s not just me— the LA Times named it Restaurant of the Year in 2018. Usually it is hard to get a reservation and is expensive (although they have a more reasonable ’Taco Tuesday’), but during the pandemic they’re doing takeout. It’s excellent!
Who would do you think would be a good successor to Alex Trebek on Jeopardy?
I know there’s a lot of internet chatter about Ken Jennings maybe taking over for Alex Trebek, but personally my pick for the next host would be a different Jeopardy legend: Brad Rutter.
What is something a lot of people in the department do not know about you?
My favorite numbers are 20,213, π²/6, and 52,416,000. (Ask me why!)
The featured guest on 10/2 was Mike Cranston.
What is your position in the department?
I’m the department chair.
How long have you been at UCI? What did you do before joining us?
I’ve been in Irvine since 2004. Before that I was a professor at the University of Rochester.
What is your research area?
Probability.
What one thing do you think every new grad student should know?
Spend a lot of time doing as many exercises from your textbooks as possible.
Are there any tv series that you have particularly enjoyed recently?
I’ve enjoyed the Korean tv series “Crash landing on you” and the Danish series “Borgen.” Both are available on Netflix.
Where is your favorite SoCal vacation spot?
Joshua Tree National Park.
If you could have a 10 minute conversation with any mathematician (alive or dead), who would you choose?
Euler.