Hi! I'm Elsa

Research + Projects

As an undergraduate student, I certainly don't have a lot to show for formal research. Therefore, in addition to my mentor and I's recent paper, I've included some of my favorite final projects from my high school's "honors discrete math" course. We were asked to give a 30-45 minute lecture on any topic related to the recent content of the course. I've also included a short book I compiled about learning the unit circle, which was created as a thank you gift for my wonderful academic advisor, high school math teacher, and overall supporter, Mrs. Hill.

Papers

On the Frobenius Norm of the Inverse of a Non-Negative Matrix, with John Urschel. arXiv preprint, 2024 [PDF]

Misc. Math Projects

Introduction to L-Systems and Fractals, Honors Discrete Final, Fall 2022, Williston Northampton School [WORKSHEET]

Diffie Hellman Key Exchange, Honors Discrete Final, Winter 2023, Williston Northampton School [WORKSHEET]

The Complete Book of Trigonometric Identities and Unit Circle Values, Winter 2023 [PDF]

Activities

I've had the privilege of attending numerous wonderful conferneces over the course of my summer research at MIT and the previous academic year at Wellesley College. While I've solely been an attendee thus far, I plan to present my work with Professor John Urschel during the final months of 2024.

Planned

Tanner 2024, Speaker: adv. Andy Schultz, October 2024 [Website]

WIMIN 2024, September 2024 [Website]

Past

FRG Workshop on Definability, Decidability and Computability, July/August 2024 [Website]

Sixteenth Algorithmic Number Theory Symposium (ANTS XVI), July 2024 [Website]

The Mordell conjecture 100 years later, July 2024 [Website]

Statistical and Dynamical Combinatorics, A Mathematical Conference, and celebration of Jim Propp's 2^{(4 choose 2)}-th Birthday, June 2024 [Website]

The Many Combinatorial Legacties of Richard P. Stanley, Immense Birthday Glory of the Epic Catalonian Rascal, June 2024 [Website]

Richard P. Stanley Seminar in Combinatorics, December 2023 [Website]

MIT Number Theory Seminar, November 2023 [Website]

Non-Math

WHACK 2023, November 2023 [Website]

HackMIT 2023, September 2023 [Website]

Ponderings

Likely zero substance here, just a repository of random thoughts/reflections from school and research that I felt like writing somewhere (and a few ideas that I hope will actually materialize!)

Math Fashion Brand: Since my project of making unit circle heeled boots last summer, I've wanted to start a fashion brand focusing on artistic mathematical clothing (maybe a unit circle trench coat? Ballgown? Unsure). I essentially wrote half a business plan but then got busy with classes. If anyone with a more entrepreneurial spirit (and an idea for a manufacturer) sees this, let's chat!

The Unit Circle (Extended): How long would it take one to assemble multiple applications of the unit circle in "more advanced" areas of pure and applied math? It would be quite cool to reply to those "where will we use this in the real world" questions with a website that has pretty UI... or maybe another little book? Probably more time than I'll have this summer unfortunately.

Asking Good Mathematical Questions: I've recently seen many discussions on this topic while lurking Mathematics Stack Exchange recently. "Answering questions is one thing, but learning how to pose good questions is an art of it's own" sums up the main points of the comments. Is this a skill that can be taught? Is it something that simply comes from experience? How can one know when they've posed a "good question?"

Resources

Some of these will include links to helpful websites I've found, email inspiration (NOT TEMPLATES), others will be a compilation of outstanding pieces of advice from mentors I've recieved and things I've learned along the way (from falling flat on my face... often).

All About Cold Emails: TBD HERE

First Year of Your Math Major (fun advice + the many mistakes I made first year): TBD

Curious About Undergrad Research (reflections from my experience so far + my friends' thoughts): HERE

Resume (not a resource... unsure where to place): HERE

High School Programs

√mathroots @ MIT | 14-day mathematical talent accelerator summer program hosted by MIT PRIMES for high-potential high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds or underserved communities who are interested in exploring creative topics in mathematics and problem solving. (mathroots): WEBSITE