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After learning about mathematical modeling with hypothetical problems
at the in-person Graduate Student Mathematical Modeling Camp (and while
following the University of Delaware’s social distancing protocols),
the students remained at UD to put the lessons to work over the next
week on real-world, research-level problems in the much larger, virtual
Mathematical Problems in Industry workshop. Conducted by the University
of Vermont, MPI annually attracts leading applied mathematicians and
scientists from universities, industry and national laboratories.
According to GSMMC co-organizer David A. Edwards, UD professor of
mathematical sciences and a regular MPI participant for over 25 years,
the camp experience equips students with the confidence to actively
participate on MPI teams with faculty and postdocs. In return, MPI
benefits by having a cadre of well-trained, energetic students to
collaborate with the other academic participants.
“Though there are other summer student training camps like GSMMC and
other industrial study groups like MPI, GSMMC-MPI is the only program
that ties the two together,” said Edwards. “MPI is the longest running
industrial study group in the United States, having started in the
mid-80s. In the mid-2000s, the organizers realized that graduate
students would benefit from having some mathematical modeling training
before launching into the real-world, research-level problems at MPI,
and so the camp was born.”
Edwards’ fellow co-organizer, Lou Rossi, professor of mathematical sciences and dean of UD’s Graduate College,
said UD has a trailblazing history of innovative graduate experiences
like GSMMC-MPI. These initiatives include UD being an early adopter of
4+1 programs that allow advanced undergraduates to participate in
articulated graduate experiences and having a nationally ranked Online
MBA program that adopted its web-based delivery mode to make the program
available to a much wider audience. Like Edwards, Rossi has a lengthy
history with GSMMC-MPI and he credited it with being well ahead of its
time and preparing participants for in-demand employment opportunities.
“With the number of math Ph.D.s finding jobs in academia
monotonically decreasing for decades, there is a recognized need for us
to do more to prepare these highly educated, highly skilled graduate
students to thrive outside of academia,” said Rossi. “Private industry
and government agencies have real mathematical needs that can be met by
graduate students and faculty who can cross disciplinary lines and
communicate effectively in teams. This program has long been a
successful and cost-effective model for providing needed career
preparation as well as a fertile recruiting ground for the sponsors.”