The recent Fall Math Colloquium held by the Greenwich Country Day School math department showcased exceptional student-driven research and celebrated advanced mathematics.
Held on Oct. 30 in the Upper School Commons, the event highlighted the projects of eight students from GCDS’s math, computer science and engineering courses.
Pictured: Imran Iftikar, Harrison Servedio, Irhan Iftikar, Linnea Shah-Gustafsson, Henry Santangelo, Bobby Jones, Cooper Taylor (not pictured: Penelope Hentsch-Cowles)
Coleman Hall, the Upper School Math Program Lead, praised the dedication and talent of these students, describing them as “some of the finest young mathematicians and scholars” the school has produced.
Harrison Servedio, a senior, presented research he did with a professor at Emory University, Dr. Jack Brody, this summer. Their research “Solving x+1 = 3 with a Quantum Computer” has been accepted for publication in “Mathematical Intelligencer,” a mathematical journal.
Hall emphasized that while GCDS upholds the tradition of a strong college-preparatory math curriculum, it also encourages engaging projects that give students a platform to apply their mathematical knowledge in meaningful ways. “I believe that rigor transcends beyond the rote and is truly witnessed when our students present their work and passions,” Hall said.
Linnea Shah-Gustafsson ’26 presented on her current research interests of spectroscopy and the Fourier transform from applied mathematical analysis. She is researching how she can use these techniques to find a more sustainable and energy efficient way to recycle plastics.
The Math Colloquium is just one part of GCDS’s commitment to extending math learning beyond the classroom. The school provides various outlets for students to deepen their mathematical interests, including independent research opportunities, advanced studies, presentations, junior thesis projects, and one-on-one mentorship with faculty.
Students also have opportunities to compete in the American Mathematical Competitions and join the Math Team, which represents GCDS in the Fairfield County Math League.
Harrison Servedio ’25 presented his summer research with a professor at Emory University on an application of Grover’s Algorithm in quantum computing. No publication existed prior to this research. The paper they wrote was accepted for publication.
The following students presented their research:
Imran Iftikar ’25 researched and presented on the Rendering Equation, which has applications to optics and image processing.
Cooper Taylor ’26 researched and presented on his design and development of a PID controller for his custom built drone. A PID controller requires an intricate understanding of Fractional Calculus.
Henry Santangelo ’26 presented his research on Markov Chains and their connection to weather prediction models.
Linnea Shah-Gustafsson ’26 presented on her current research interests of spectroscopy and the Fourier transform from applied mathematical analysis. She is researching how she can use these techniques to find a more sustainable and energy efficient way to recycle plastics.
Penelope Hentsch-Cowles ’25 was to present on her junior thesis research into Metalenses and surfaces which have applications in optimizing, both speed and costs, of communications over long distances.
Harrison Servedio ’25 presented his summer research with a professor at Emory University on an application of Grover’s Algorithm in quantum computing. No publication existed prior to this research. The paper they wrote was accepted for publication.
Bobby Jones ’25 presented his research of Partial Differential Equations (PDE) and their applications from his junior thesis. He presented on the Heat Equation, but he also discussed the applications of PDEs to finance – most notable the Black–Scholes model.
Irhan Iftikar ’26 presented his research into the theory of mathematical game theory and utility functions. He wrote an analysis of his game theory research to understand nuclear weapon armament. He submitted his work for publication consideration.