Mathematics & Statistics

Recent Projects

• Kacie O’Hearn worked with Dr. Melissa Bingham on a project entitled "An Efficient Median Estimator for 3-Dimensional Rotations."  She presented at NCUR and the Research in the Rotunda.  
• Emelie Peterson worked with Dr. James Peirce and Dr. Greg Sandland (Biology) on a project entitled "Associations Between Parasite Infection and Sand Crab Life Histories Along the California Coast.”  She presented at the UWL College of Science and Health Summer Research Symposium.
• Charlie Klawitter worked with Dr. Chad Vidden on a project entitled "Machine Learning for Cryptanalysis of Classic Cyphers.” He presented at UW-L's Annual Celebration of Research and Creativity. He was also accepted to a ML+Chem REU in summer 2025 at Iowa State.
• Sophie Pope worked with Dr. Chad Vidden on a project entitled “Using Multidimensional Statistical Analysis and Machine Learning to Predict Training Effectiveness from Baseline Vertical Ground Reaction Force in Adolescent Female Athletes." She presented UW-L's Annual Celebration of Research and Creativity. Sophie was awarded the Bange-Wine Mathematics Research Fellowship to complete this project. She was also admitted to Notre Dame for a PhD in Statistics starting fall 2025.
• Joe Miller worked with Dr. Nathan Warnberg on a project entitled “Anti-van der Waerden Numbers of Graph Products of Cycles.” They published this work in the Australasian Journal of Combinatorics.

Getting Started:

Working on a research or creativity project with a faculty member is an opportunity for you to go beyond learning about a discipline and become actively involved in creating knowledge and new meaning within the discipline  You will learn things you don't learn in a classroom.

1.  Identify your area of interest

Research is a hands on way to explore different interests you may have within your field.  Look and listen for opportunities to work with a faculty member on topics of interest.

2.  Find a Mentor

Identify a few faculty members who have similar interests on our Faculty by Research Interest Page.

3.  Choose a way to participate

 There are several ways to participate in undergraduate research depending on your schedule and desired level of commitment. Here are a few options:

• Volunteer:  Most professors involved in research are willing to take on student volunteers. 
• Credit in your major:  There are possibilities for students to receive elective credit for undergraduate research.  Inquire with a faculty member for details.
• Work for payment:  Some professors have funds available to hire student workers.  Inquire with your faculty mentor about available opportunities.
• Write a grant to fund your research project:
• Present your work:  There are a variety of opportunities available to present your research or creative project.  This can include research or creative works made in the classroom setting and funded work you have completed.

4.  Publish your work

General writing format varies by discipline and among journals.  Speak to your faculty mentor or someone in the college to find out what guidelines you should be following.

A new publication opportunity is available through the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Laureate Program. Please see the program information page for more details.