Mathematicians from Around the Globe Unite

The gelato, the scenery, and of course the mathematics, were all "amazing."

Scott Greenhalgh, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, led a team of five Saints to Sevilla, Spain to present at the 9th European Congress of Mathematics. The mid-July conference was organized by the European Mathematical Society, which hosts the event every four years.

"The ECM is the second largest mathematics event in the world, and it was a great opportunity for our students to have their first experience with an international academic conference," he said.

Greenhalgh presented a talk on using the new mathematical approach to understand why some diseases such as the flu or measles are recurrent or seasonal, while others, such as HIV, are not. "On susceptible-infectious-susceptible compartmental models with potentially periodic behavior" is based on research he and his students conducted last summer and this summer, and will be published in the journal Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering.

"Our work provides disease modelers with a straightforward way to investigate the potential periodic behavior of many diseases and thereby may aid ongoing efforts to prevent recurrent outbreaks," he explained in the abstract.

It was the first overseas conference for all five students, and after the sessions they had time to tour the palaces, cathedrals and restaurants for which Sevilla is famous.

Samina Hanif '27 found Spain "absolutely stunning" and welcomed the opportunity to experience the environment of an academic conference.

"I feel this trip really captured what the research environment is about," she said. "It was an immersion of so many thoughts and ideas across a myriad of locations and backgrounds that all collectively came together. I think that's why I enjoy research so much: each individual work serves as a stepping stone for future implications, an endless progression of expanding our understanding and knowledge into intricate phenomena and ideas. I was so incredibly grateful for the ability to expand on my learning, both academically and socially."

Getting hands-on experience in a highly professional setting of a conference and getting to tour one of the cultural capitals of Europe also resonated with Sarah Dingel '26.

"Research as a whole has been such a great experience; it has taught me so many new skills that I hope to apply to my future career!" said Dingel. "Plus, getting to meet so many new people, and become close with those I might not see in my day-to-day life at Siena, has also been something that I have thoroughly enjoyed."

She encouraged all Saints to get involved in a research opportunity on campus, even if it's not directly connected to your major. Tabitha Henriquez '25 agreed saying, "it helps you uncover academic interests you didn't know you had, and helps you make special connections with your team."

Michael Frutschy '25 and Rebecah Leonard '26 enjoyed the travel and chance to learn about the research conducted by other colleges and institutions.

"I am very grateful to Siena for this opportunity," said Frutschy.