RTG | Optimization and Inversion for the 21st Century Workforce

Mathematical optimization, inversion, and data science play a crucial role in applications across the sciences, engineering, and medicine. This RTG leverages the expertise of mathematics faculty in these and related areas to train and mentor students across levels ranging from high school to doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. Some of the core projects will include optimization and design for

Metamaterials
Porous media
Photonics
Earth system models
Machine learning
Remote sensing
Polar ecology
Medical imaging
Geophysical exploration
Fluid Mechanics
Uncertainty quantification
Material topology

The RTG will introduce a new optimization-centered graduate curriculum, offer trainees at all levels significant experience working on important interdisciplinary problems in vertically integrated settings, and, mimicking successful engineering classes, a mathematical design competition to motivate students, and a thematic RTG conference to provide collaborative mechanisms between RTG participants and internationally renowned researchers. This RTG project will benefit the broader math community and beyond as the involved students and postdocs assume leading roles as researchers and educators in the 21st-century workforce.

This group is sponsored by NSF award #2136198.

Fellowship funds from this grant can only be used to support US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents.

Engagement of High School students
High School REUs

Science Research Initiative
Research Experiences for Undergrads
High School Ambassadors
Design Competition Course

Applied Math Collective
Summer Mentorship Program
Internships

On Arctic Mathpedition I, seven math students from high school to Ph.D., each conducting mathematical research on sea ice processes, traveled to the Arctic to do field experiments on the physics and biology of sea ice in the Chukchi Sea off Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow) in May 2024. The expedition was led by RTG personnel Jody Reimer and Ken Golden.

Arctic Mathpedition II is planned for May 2027.

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Kenneth Beard

(arriving July 1st, 2026)

Kim Bohyun

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Tyler Evans

Likhit Ganedi

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Victoria Kala

Forest Kobayashi

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Kerrek Stinson

Fellowship funds are available for supporting postdoctoral fellows. More details and application instructions are found at our Mathjobs page.

Note that funding is only open to US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents.

Justin Baker

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Filip Belik

Haoyu Chen

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Anwesa Dey

Trent DeGiovanni

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Daniel Hallman

Maggie Hammer

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Abigail Hardin-Kohli

Rebecca Hardenbrook

Anthony Jajeh

Rodney McCoy

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Asher Merrill

Delaney Moiser

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Julie Sherman

Tyler Schuessler

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Mikhail Sweeney

Taos Transue

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John Turnage

Holly Vanlooy

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Laurel Weber

Sage Yeager

The RTG is actively recruiting new students to join our program. Funding is available for students to join at the PhD level. We may also be able to support funded Masters degrees.

Current students in the departmental graduate programs may apply for RTG funding by contacting the Principal Investigators. Outside students first apply to the department's PhD program. In your personal statement mention that you strongly wish to be considered for the Applied Math RTG. Fee waiver codes are available for applicants to the RTG programs, see the Fee Waiver section of the application instruction page.

Note that funding is only open to US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents.