2022 REU Cohort

University: Southern Methodist University

Area of Study: Economics with Financial Applications and Statistical Science Majors, Data Science Minor

Hey everybody, my name is Tryg Aanenson. I'm from South Dakota, and I'm a rising junior at SMU and will be living in Dallas this summer. My majors are Economics and Statistics with a minor in Data Science. At SMU, I'm a part of mock trial and Alpha Kappa Psi, the business fraternity on campus. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to music, finding something to eat around Dallas, or watching sports. I'm super excited to get involved in data science research at SMU. I've never gotten to apply any statistics curriculum to a real problem, and what better way to do that than with pertinent problems in my own community. I'm excited to meet everyone and get started!

University: Sam Houston State University

Area of Study: Mathematics/Education, Special Education

I am Jasmine Baldwin! I am from Terrell, Texas but I currently live in Hunstville, Texas as I am in my second year at Sam Houston State University. My majors are Mathematics and Education with a minor in Special Education. I am a Smith-Hutson Scholar and Evolve member, and I occasionally volunteer with Lone Star Trails to help clear some primitive campsites. I am very excited to learn how I can make a difference in the community with research using local data. This opportunity will help me explore my options for grad school, and possibly my career, as my end goal is to make the education system a better place for our students and their families.

University: Stephen F Austin State University

Area of Study: Data Analytics, Applied Statistics Minor

I’m Aubrey Blake and I’m from Poetry, Texas. I’m a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University (axe ‘em jacks!) majoring in data analytics and statistics, and a member of Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. I enjoy painting my nails and serving at my church. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to learn more about data science and see how these tools and skills can be applied to solve problems in our community.

University: Texas Wesleyan University

Area of Study: Computer Science, Mathematics Minor

My name is Francisco Castillo and I am from Dallas Texas. I currently attend Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. I am a Computer Science major with a minor in Math. I'm a member of the football team as well as the president of the Computer Science/Physics/Math at my University.

University: Paul Quinn College 

Area of Study: Psychology

I’m LaTangela Dudley a senior at Paul Quinn College majoring in Psychology. I was in an Environmental class this past semester and gave me great insight on things I wasn’t aware of, and how so many are affected by things happening in our surrounding communities. I got an opportunity to be introduced to ArGis mapping and my first experience in a hackathon which was interesting and insightful. A great way to get ideas and information out and dissected. I’m honored to have this experience.

University: Austin College

Area of Study: Healthcare Management, Data Science Analytics

My name is Jasmine Glasford. I was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Currently, I finished my junior year at Austin College located in Sherman, Texas. My major is in healthcare administration and my minor is in data science analytics. On campus, I have the opportunity to be a peer educator at Austin College. Being able to conduct research is exciting because I will have the opportunity to learn more about how an individual's day-to-day hardships might be a part of larger trend that is affecting a community. Especially since it means that the data can be used to implement a change that can improve lives.

University: Texas State University

Area of Study: Mathematics and Psychology

Hi! I am Michala Gradner. I am a junior finishing up my second year at Texas State University, majoring in Mathematics and Psychology. I am a member of Pi Mu Epsilon and Psi Chi which are both Honor Societies for my respective majors. I enjoy being outdoors and reading. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work on a project that seems to utilize ideas from both of my majors. I believe it will be a wonderful opportunity to explore career options that include aspects of both math and psychology.

University: Southern Methodist University

Area of Study: Political Science, CCPA

Ixchell Ibanez is junior from SMU and is double majoring in Political Science and Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. She is the student affiliate of video production for The Office of Engaged Learning. She is also a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority and is currently the VP of Publicity for the Multicultural Greek Council. Ixchell is also involved with the First-Generation Association on campus. She is from Frisco, Texas and loves to be around her friends and family. She is excited to be in the REU and learn data science for the first time. She strives to use her new knowledge and skills from the REU program to help her future goals in becoming an elected member of Congress.

University: University of New Orleans 

Area of Study: Urban Studies and Planning 

I’m Arden Kleinpeter! I’m from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and am majoring in urban studies and planning at the University of New Orleans. I love to play video games in my free time, and study GIS in my not-as-free time! Learning how to best utilize data while working with a multidisciplinary team will be important fuel for my passion to help shape the built environment for communities.

University: Southern Methodist University

Area of Study: Management Science, Math/Data Science Minor

Hello! My name is Olivia Wilch, and I'm from Wichita, Kansas. I will be a junior at Southern Methodist University and am majoring in Management Science with a double minor in Mathematics and Data Science. I work on campus as a Lyle Engineering supplemental instructor, and I'm a part of the University Honors Program, Women in Science and Engineering club, and Volunteer Mustang Heroes. I love to play sand volleyball, hike, and travel. I am extremely excited to participate in the Data Science REU this summer, and get to know the Dallas community better!

University: Mount Holyoke College

Area of Study: Mathematics, Psychology Minor

I am Jenny Xu from Mount Holyoke College. I am a rising senior and major in mathematics. This is my first time doing a research outside of campus, and also my first time to Texas. I am very interested in Data Science and I will learn more about this in graduate school. I hope to have a great summer, enjoy this experience and learn wonderful new people!