Mathematics & Statistics – Outstanding Senior 2022

Annie C. Lu

Aurora, CO

Degrees and Majors:

  • Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

Minors

  • Physics
  • Music

Award & Recognition

  • National Merit Scholar
  • Manuscripts:
    • Higher Mode Interactions in systems of coupled phase oscillators
    • Self-Generated information gradient models for cell motility
  • Fulbright Research Award for Budapest Semesters in Mathematics
  • Julie Kerr Mathematics Scholarship
  • WSU Carson Undergraduate Research Fellowship
  • Tom and Tarry Eastep Mathematics Scholarship
  • Catherine Melissa Loomis Music Scholarship

Internships and Employment

  • Grader for Math 464
  • Teaching Assistant, Calculus I
  • Research Intern, Mathematics & Statistics:  Develop computational models for stochastic processes in an effort to explain cell motility and various other biological processes

Undergraduate Research

Research Intern, Technical University – Berlin, Germany, remote. To explore synchronization behavior and higher-order dynamics in systems of coupled oscillators found in network systems.

Honored Faculty and Mentors

  • Nikolaos Voulgarakis
  • Hong Ming Yin

Faculty Comments

“Annie is an extraordinary intellectual and has proven herself to be a promising, disciplined, kind-hearted, and enthusiastic student.” –Molly Clayton

“Annie is the most gifted and talented student I have ever encountered in my entire career. Her research accomplishments are awe-inspiring. She joined our college in 2019 but has already produced significant results for two scientific papers. Her outstanding research achievements have made her a Carson fellow after freshman year—the latter being the most prestigious fellowship for undergraduate research in our university and is usually awarded to senior and very experienced students. I can proudly say that she has a bright future.” –Dr. Nikolaos Voulgarakis

“I got to know Ms. Lu from my Math 315 class. I noted that she was a freshman and was very curious to find out how she could take Math 315. After some conversation, I understood that she had excellent background” –Dr. Hong-Ming Yin

Personal Statement

“Although I originally felt hesitant coming to WSU from out of state, I have loved every moment I have spent here. From the first semester, the friendly and supportive community of students and faculty has made me feel at home and motivated me to grow in ways I never could have imagined. I could not have gotten here today without this immense support, and would like to especially thank Dr.Nikolaos Voulgarakis and Dr.Hong-Ming Yin from the math department for always pushing me to challenge myself and become the best mathematician I can be, as well as my distinguished scholarship advisor Dr. April Seehafer for supporting me in finding and applying for opportunities around the world.”

Future Plans

Annie has been accepted into UCLA’s mathematics PhD program. Eventually she would like to work in industry or possibly in academia.