Andrew Leach Conference Summary

Andrew Leach

Ph.D. Candidate
Applied Mathematics GIDP

Conference Summary
SIAM* Conference on Application of Dynamical Systems 2015
Snowbird, UT
May 17-21, 2015

*Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

My experience at the SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems was an overwhelmingly positive one. I chose to room with another mathematician who I had yet to meet prior to the conference, but we had a lot to discuss once we did. He studies fluid mechanics, and his enthusiasm for the field was contagious. I knew only the fundamentals before talking, but I was able to get a grasp of his work and some of the modern topics of interest. Likewise, everyone that presented at the conference was very excited to share their work. While it was humbling to see how much the attendees have accomplished, it also served as motivation to push myself harder.

Going into the event, I wasn't sure how my own research would be received. I arrived a little early to the poster session and pinned mine up on the board, then picked up a single cookie from the dessert table. By the time I got back to my poster, there were already people there asking about it. I had so many people coming through, that it took an entire hour and a half before I had squeezed in enough time between visitors to finish the cookie. At the end of the two hour mark, I was still discussing my work when they were taking down the poster panels and kicking everyone out. The interest in my research was reaffirming, and has instilled an enthusiasm that has yet to slow up.