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Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated!
Title of your research project:
“Comparing Predictive Data Assimilation Methods on S-I-R Epidemic Forecasts”
Describe your project:
My objectives are to compare two statistical tracking methods, specifically the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) and the Ensemble Optimal Statistical Interpolation (EnOSI) method, to see which one more accurately predicts the spread of a S-I-R epidemic model for airborne infectious diseases.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project? Why did you choose them?
I took Dr. Sousedik’s Math 341 (Computational Methods) class. Dr. Sousedik teaches in a way that I don’t feel like I just learned the textbook material, but rather a better comprehension of mathematical logic and problem solving methods in general, so I knew Dr. Sousedik would be a perfect research mentor for me. My advisor also was invaluable for steering me in the right direction for who to ask for research opportunities.
How did you become interested in this project?
I’ve always been interested in classes that involved math modeling or data prediction, particularly when the variables dealt with demographic data. When Dr. Sousedik proposed a research topic about statistical tracking for epidemic models, I was very enthusiastic as the topic encapsulated all of my favorite math concepts.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
There isn’t a website or a book that tells you clearly how to write the code for your program, or how to adapt an equation to the problem, so there were many hours where Dr. Sousedik and I just had to work things out on pen and paper, or invent a new way of dealing with an error from scratch. It can be unsettling to think there isn’t one right answer to a problem, but I was left with insight to how researchers apply math to real world problems.
What has been the most rewarding part?
When I first started the research, the related studies I read seemed at times like another language, but after some effort and time I realized I was capable of understanding and applying mathematical concepts that were incomprehensible a few months ago. This research opportunity gave me confidence in my potential to have a STEM career in the future.
How will you disseminate your research?
I intend to submit the research paper to the UMBC review and the SIAM Undergraduate Research Online. Ideally, our research will add enough novelty to existing methods to lead to a regular research journal publication.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
I would advise any student getting involved in undergraduate research to speak with the faculty in their department. The professors and advisors will more than likely be willing to go the extra mile to make any ideas for projects you have a reality.
What are your career goals?
After more research experience, I ultimately want to apply mathematical models to the planning of urban infrastructure. Ideally, I am interested in working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of computer programming, architecture, mathematics, and statistics experts to improve land-use allocation.
Be like Maya! Get started on an undergraduate research project and become a URA Scholar: ur.umbc.edu
Jonathan Sikora is a Biology major with a Psychology minor who will graduate in 2021. He is a URA Scholar and a member of the Honors College.
Title of your research project: Comparing song repertoire size in male and female Eastern Bluebirds
Describe your project:
I am investigating whether male and female Eastern Bluebirds can sing the same number of songs. This will help further our understanding of female song in songbirds; an emerging field in ornithology.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project? Dr. Kevin Omland
How did you find your mentor? Dr. Omland taught my BIOL 142 class. He made a posting on blackboard looking for field assistants for an undergraduate researcher's independent project. I applied, and was eventually accepted into the lab.
Why did you choose them? I thought Dr. Omland's work was incredibly interesting, and I loved what the Omland lab was doing. I thought that having the opportunity to work in this field would would be a great way to expand my interests and find something I'm really passionate about.
How did you become interested in this project? I had already assisted with a previous project on female song in Eastern Bluebirds, and I really enjoyed the experience. Doing research out in the field was unlike any other experience I had before. When Dr. Omland offered me the opportunity to lead a similar project of my own, I knew right away that it was something I wanted to do.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? Recording birdsong out in the field can be quite a challenge. It took me a while to understand how much goes into making a quality recording. Finding the correct distance, positioning, and recording settings all proved to be difficult tasks.
What has been the most rewarding part? Having the opportunity to explain my work is definitely the most rewarding part about research for me. I love being able to explain my findings to others and how they apply to the world around us, and I'm so grateful that this experience has afforded me that opportunity.
How will you disseminate your research? I will be presenting at URCAD and possibly publishing my results in a peer reviewed journal.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? Talk to your professors in your favorite classes and see if you can get involved with their work. Try to find something you're really passionate about. And don't think that research has to be strictly within the sciences, as there are many different types of research you can get involved with (social sciences, art, history, etc.).
What are your career goals? After graduation, I plan on attending medical school and becoming a physician.
Check out all of our URA Scholars:
https://ur.umbc.edu/ura/current-scholars/]]>