On December 5, 2018 Dr. Edward Swim, a Professor and Graduate Advisor for Sam Houston State University Mathematics and Statistics Department, hosted the first Undergraduate Mathematics Research Poster Session. 12 undergraduate students set their posters out for an interactive showcase, creating an open space to discuss their research with the University. After undergraduate students complete the freshman and sophomore mathematics requirements, they can start undergraduate research. Some students began in summer 2018 and others in fall 2018. Examples of the student’s posters, with brief overviews are shown below.

Samantha Hunt and Hunter Berry created the Twisted Torus Doodles presentation over knot theory. Samantha and Hunter were both introduced to knot theory by their faculty advisor, Dr. Brandy Doleshal. They were inspired to select this topic, and are now excited and passionate about their work. Knot theory postulates that any way you draw a doodle that starts and ends in the same place, a pattern and a mathematic equation can be the result.

Rachel Van Pelt and Jonathon Woody started their research from simple curiosity in different equations. Their research project is over solving the Tridiagonal linear systems of equations, specifically Tx=b. They use the divide and conquer algorithm to aid in finding the solution. Their goals were to decrease error and save time when solving the equation. Rachel and Jonathon's advisor is Dr. Edward Swim.

Jarred Cochran is working on research over bark beetle outbreaks and their relationship to pine trees. Bark beetles reproduce inside pine trees and ultimately attack and destroy the host tree. Jarred got inspired to start his research from reading multiple research articles. His research shows 4 different equations that represent the relation between the bark beetles and pine trees; he takes an epidemiological-style approach through his models.

David Schmitt is an undergraduate researcher whose faculty advisor is Dr. Ken Smith. David’s research is on exploring and describing Graph Reconstruction Conjecture. An example of Graph Reconstruction Conjecture is to create a cubic graph with 6,8,10 and/or 12 vertices and study the shared cards. David uses SageMath (computer software) which helps to visually create his work. In September, David presented this poster at Texas Southern University, as they hosted the “Invitation to Mathematics” event.

Christian Silos and Anubhar Thakur began their research to gain experience in the research field. Anubhar started looking into research opportunities his freshman year and then started on this specific research topic. He aims to start a research book and attend graduate school. Christian plans to continue her education and has been accepted into the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, under their graduate program. Their research is on whooping cranes, an endangered species whose primary food source is blue crabs. They came up with methods on how to look at blue crab environments; by looking at the crabs’ location, population, and reproduction patterns. All to show how the blue crabs’ population affects the whooping crane population. Their research advisor is Dr. Edward Swim.

Julian Marquez and Camilo Alvarez’s research interest lies in the tridiagonal Matrix A. They pose the question, “Can a twisted factorization be used more than once on the tridiagonal matrix A?” In an attempt to solve the matrix, they break it down, modify the original algorithm, and examine the results, to see if their research question is achievable. Dr. Edward Swim is their research advisor.