Introducing the 2024 High School Summer Research Cohort
This summer, the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy will be supervising sixteen high school students as they conduct research at the intersection of math and politics. They come from many different backgrounds, and we are excited for them to explore their interdisciplinary interests with IMD.
Jing Russell is a rising first-year at Amherst College with an intended double major in Mathematics and Economics. “Since I can remember, I have always loved math and had a deep interest in learning,” she shares. “I am eager to contribute to IMD’s mission as well as delve deeper into quantitative understanding to hopefully make an impact on the current challenges we face in America!”
Isaac Merlin, a rising senior at Florida Atlantic University High School, enjoys thinking strategically about abstract systems. Isaac “has a deep interest in any mathematics related to the safeguarding of democracy.” He is excited to be pursuing research with IMD this summer.
Ananya Shah is a rising junior at Edgemont Junior-Senior High School in New York. Her current research focuses on using mathematics, specifically the fractal dimension technique, to quantify gerrymandering in the United States, as well as analyzing majority-minority districts and the redistricting process as a whole. At IMD, she is excited about “collaborating with other individuals who are also interested in the fascinating connection between mathematics and democracy.”
Ella Kowal is a rising senior at Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts. She has always loved math and participating in politics in whatever way she can, so she is excited to explore the intersections of both of these interests.
Laura Zhang is a rising freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she plans to double major in mathematics and computer science. She aspires to leverage math and computer science in policy-making to provide a quantitative and data-driven perspective on pressing issues.
Pratyush Singh is a high school junior at UWC Mahindra College, India. His interdisciplinary interests in math and social studies since childhood led him to discover the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy, where he is excited to explore research at the center of these disciplines. He has a keen interest in understanding the mathematical aspects behind people’s behavior and political choices and hopes to contribute meaningfully to IMD’s mission of promoting education, research, and outreach in mathematics and politics.
Serena Pallan is a high school sophomore in Baltimore, Maryland. She is looking forward to getting involved with IMD this summer, because she is interested in learning more about the applications of mathematics in politics and how IMD’s research will change the way we think about math and political science.
Angeline Zhao is a rising senior at Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts. She has always loved mathematics, and has been involved with journalism and public policy organizations. As such, she is particularly interested in the way mathematics is used to analyze and resolve real world problems. “Politics is an area where mathematics can have such a huge influence,” she explains. Angeline is eager to explore that intersection through research this summer.
Andrei Volić, a rising senior at Natick High School in Massachusetts, participated in last year’s IMD research project because he loves studying both math and government-related topics. He decided to return this year because he’s “excited to explore the intersection of data analysis and politics that can be applied to measure or predict some aspects of our government.”
Deven Hagen, a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, is interested in the use of algorithmic decision making in political elections. At IMD, he is excited to pursue interdisciplinary research that combines his interests in applied math, government, and public policy.
Nina Lomigora is a junior from Greens Farms Academy in Connecticut. She is interested in math, particularly the real world applications of math that are often left out of her math classes at school. She is excited for the opportunity to see politics from a quantitative point of view and to use math to better understand and appreciate our democracy.
Rohan Licht has been interested in math and politics for a long time and finds it amazing how much they overlap. “I think it would be very beneficial if everyone knew how math can be used to improve political systems, as it could open up new political discussions that aren’t focused on division or ‘winning,’ and more focused on understanding how to make politics better,” Rohan explains. He is excited to work with IMD to learn more about the connection between these two subjects!
Alice Park is a rising senior at Northwood High School in California and decided to pursue research at the IMD summer program because she is deeply passionate about mathematics as well as political advocacy and social issues. Alice shares, “I find that especially in an ever-changing world with so many new political debates and issues coming up everyday, using mathematics to investigate and find patterns in politics is such an intriguing combination of topics and can have so much more significance than we realize.” She hopes to be able to apply and further develop her findings from the IMD summer program to make change in her community, addressing political injustices and more!
Ryan Cooley, a rising junior at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Massachusetts, is interested in research at the intersection of mathematics and politics. At IMD, he is looking forward to “using the research process to learn more about the statistics, data, and math behind the governmental decisions that affect our daily lives.”
Aaron Wasielewski is a rising senior at Natick High School in Massachusetts. He decided to do another summer with IMD to further his understanding of the two disciplines of math and politics by conducting meaningful research. “Last summer taught me so much about how the two areas are integrated within each other, and I hope to build on those concepts, skills, and experiences this summer,” Aaron says.
Zubin Rajesh is a rising junior at Campolindo High School in the Bay Area who has loved math ever since he was in first grade and has grown increasingly aware of politics as he progressed through school. He saw IMD as a chance to pursue his math joy that can have a real impact on something bigger than himself. Zubin loves to play competitive soccer and enjoys listening to music while doing everything.
IMD is excited to have these students with us this summer as they conduct research on applications of mathematics to political and democratic systems.
