Kathryn Drake –
Ph.D. Candidate in Computational Math Science and Engineering
I first came to BSU in 2015 with a graduate assistantship for the master’s program in mathematics. In my short time in the program, I took advantage of every opportunity and resource that BSU offered. By the time I defended my thesis, I had established rapport with an incredible mentor, presented my research at conferences all over the world, and secured external funding in support of a doctoral degree. My overwhelmingly positive experience in the master’s program, as well as my newfound affinity for scientific computing, made my decision to continue on at BSU for the Computing Ph.D. a no-brainer.
Since starting the Computing Ph.D. in 2017, I have flourished as a researcher. With my graduate fellowship from NASA, I was able to immediately begin a project that utilizes mathematics, physics, and computational science to analyze radiation from the Big Bang. This work has won numerous awards and has even led to collaboration with NASA scientists. In Spring 2018, I was awarded a SMART scholarship for service by the Department of Defense, which covers my tuition, a living stipend, and summer internships at a DoD facility. Upon graduation, I will then have a full-time research position secured at the DoD facility where I completed my internships. The opportunities available to me through BSU, especially as a Computing Ph.D. student, have been the catalyst for my growth and success. Because of this program and the support it has given me, I am confident in my abilities and fully prepared for my future.