SFA mathematics students complete internships in nuclear energy, wind energy, actuarial sciences

Three mathematics majors at Stephen F. Austin State University completed prestigious internships during the summer of 2024. From left, Hudson Hart, Mackenzie Duckworth and Ethan Hacker.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Three seniors from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Stephen F. Austin State University gained valuable real-world experience through prestigious internships during the summer of 2024.

Hudson Hart, a senior mathematics major from Pearland, spent his summer at Cleveland State University participating in the Great Lake Wind Energy Research Experience for Undergraduates, a National Science Foundation program. During his REU, Hart collaborated with professors and peers to analyze a wind speed prediction model. His project combined mathematics and fluid dynamics to explore renewable energy solutions, including the use of neural networks to improve predictions.

"I was interested in the research process and wanted to apply my background in mathematics," Hart said. "The Great Lake Wind Energy REU provided me the opportunity to experience research and explore my passion for renewable energy."

Hart said he enjoyed learning about neural networks they used to predict wind speed as an alternative to the traditional model.

"I found that machine learning is much more mathematical, in a clever sense, than I had anticipated," he said.

Ethan Hacker, a senior mathematics major with a concentration in data science from Plano, interned at The University of Texas at San Antonio in Dr. Elizabeth Sooby's extreme environments lab. His research focused on fabricating uranium molybdenum, or U-Mo, fuel core samples for nuclear reactors. Hacker's work contributes to future research on U-Mo fuels, which are vital for research reactors.

"I wanted to do nuclear research and see what being a career scientist was like," Hacker said. "I learned that math majors are valued in almost every field, and I feel confident about my career prospects."

Hacker's research experience entailed creating six U-Mo samples, starting with U-5Mo and working his way up to U-10Mo. He gained experience using scanning electron microscopy to image the samples as well as acquired melting point data on the samples.

Mackenzie Duckworth, a senior mathematics major with a concentration in actuarial studies from Longview, interned with Milliman's Property and Casualty practice in Dallas. Over two summers, Duckworth honed her skills by preparing loss reserve analyses, updating loss development factors and assisting with actuarial reports. Her work contributed to the actuarial team's analysis for insurance clients.

"Loss development was my favorite concept to learn because it's not taught in school but rather gained through experience," Duckworth said. "My internship helped me feel more like an actuary, and I'm excited to continue on this career path."

Securing an entry-level position as an actuarial can be challenging according to Duckworth. She began studying for actuarial exams to obtain an internship. According to her advisor Dr. Sarah Stovall, SFA professor of mathematics and statistics, Duckworth is the first undergraduate student at SFA to have passed three actuarial exams before graduating, which are typically completed in the years following graduation. There are seven total exams to pass before becoming a professional actuary.

Dr. Lesa Beverly, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, praised the students' dedication and accomplishments.

"We are extremely proud of these students, not just for securing these summer opportunities, but for returning as ambassadors to encourage and inform their peers about the importance of building experience and making connections in preparation for life after university," said Beverly.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at SFA continues to prepare students for successful careers by offering rigorous academic programs and valuable hands-on experiences, encouraging students to make meaningful contributions to the field of mathematics.

For more information about mathematics and statistics at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/math.