Authored on Jan 20, 2023 by Justin Wisby
Melissa De Jesus from the 2023 SiGMA Event "Snaps and Snacks".
This semester, we want to celebrate our graduate student, Melissa De Jesus.
Her research with Dr. Ciprian Gal related to the Cahn-Hilliard equation has been truly impressive and has enabled her to present at the national conference, "2023 Joint Mathematics Meeting" and "Southeastern Atlantic Regional Conference for Differential Equations". Her notable research has landed her a research internship at Lawrence Livermore National Lab this summer. Melissa also served as a graduate student mentor in our Applied Mathematics Research Program for Undergrad's (AMRPU@FIU).
"I am happy to be acknowledged by the department.", Melissa said in an interview. "I am really proud of the work that I have been doing, both in research and for the university. I think it's important to have a sense of unity at the department level and I am happy that I can contribute to such unity."
Over the past year Melissa has taken many positions on campus. Melissa serves as the secretary and social media coordinator for Students in Graduate Mathematics Association (SiGMA), making efforts to include all in the organization. She is also the correspondent to FAU and FGCU for the Subtropical Symposium of Upcoming Mathematicians (SSUM). Melissa's effort do extend past the department where she serves on the university's graduate advisory board (GAB). Melissa consistently pursues opportunities that promote graduate students.
Lastly, Melissa has taken on the role of Vice-President to the Association for Women in Mathematics chapter at FIU (AWM@FIU). As a new chapter, AWM aims to help women mathematicians make waves here at FIU. PantherNOW highlighted the new AWM chapter.
Gia Azcotia, president of the AWM chapter on campus, mentioned, "I met Melissa at the beginning of my math degree and can say with certainty she has pushed me, hard, to be the best I can be. Her diligence, perseverance, and kindness can be seen every single day and I am so happy for her!"
We thank Melissa for her dedication and contributions to mathematics programs here at FIU. We appreciate you, Melissa.