Breathing New Life into Undergraduate Research
UC Davis has had a long history of fostering research for all it's members and students. It's always important to revisit and adjust programs over time, and now a greater focus is being directed once again at undergraduate opportunities.
Finding inspiration for math research
by Cassandra Hopkin, mathematics undergraduate
I became interested in math research during my time at the Arsuaga-Vasquez lab. I really enjoyed using pure math to study objects originating in other fields, since the lab uses topology to understand bacteriophage DNA knotting structures. As a math and computer science double major, I wanted to find a way to pursue research that combined these through a senior thesis. On the math side, I am especially excited about algebra. I asked my algebra professor at the time, Greg Kuperberg, to be my faculty mentor due to his work in the intersection of math and theoretical computer science. He proposed a project on quantum error correction, where I would study quantum codes using an algebraic lens. I didn't have a lot of background on the topic, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed learning about the pure mathematical approaches to constructing error correcting codes. As a result, I pursued another research experience on quantum error correction over this past summer and am currently in the process of publishing this research!
New research opportunities
by Junxian Li, Davis Math Lab coordinator
Math Lab is a vertically integrated mathematical community dedicated to expanding research opportunities for undergraduate students. Its goal is to foster research at every stage of academic development, strengthen meaningful connections between faculty and students, and provide valuable mentoring experience for early-career mathematicians.
The goal is for the Lab to make a space where faculty can guide and collaborate with early-stage scholars. The program encourages undergraduates to explore mathematics beyond textbooks through experimentation, collaboration, and problem-solving, while providing a platform to present their work and develop confidence and communication skills. Graduate students are also supported in pursuing new mathematical discoveries, while gaining mentoring and leadership experience.
I hope the Math Lab empowers participants at all levels to strengthen their critical and creative thinking, grow as members of the mathematical community and advance toward their academic and professional goals.
Media Resources
For more on undergraduate research at UC Davis, as well as more undergraduate theses, visit the Department website.