Seeking Applications for PRiME 2022
The Department of Mathematics at Pomona College will offer an eight-week summer residential program to conduct research in Algebraic Geometry & Number Theory. The program, entitled PRiME (Pomona Research in Mathematics Experience), will run from from Sunday June 12 through Saturday August 6, 2022. The program is being sponsored by the National Science Foundation (DMS-2113782). PRiME is an REU/Learning Community consisting of 15 undergraduates, 5 graduate students, and 5 faculty to conduct research in groups, vertically integrate mentoring, and provide professional development for students and staff alike.
Faculty in residence for the program will be:
- Alex Barrios, Scholar-in-Residence Fellow in Mathematics at Carleton College
- Renee Bell, Hans Rademacher Instructor of Mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania
- Cory Colbert, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Washington and Lee University
- Edray Goins, Professor of Mathematics at Pomona College
- Bianca Thompson, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Westminster College
More information about the 2022 Research Projects can be found here.
Why PRiME?
Algebraic Geometry is among the most distinguished fields in the mathematical sciences. Widely respected mathematical prizes such as the Abel Prize, the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics, and the Fields Medal have been disproportionately awarded to researchers in Algebraic Geometry. Unfortunately, this subdiscipline is notorious for its dismally low numbers of underrepresented minorities. A report from the American Mathematical Society on new 2017-2018 doctorate recipients states that 269 of 1,960 math PhDs in the U.S. were in Algebra and Number Theory. Among the US citizens in this group, just 34 were Hispanic or Latino, 27 were Black or African American, 6 were American Indian or Alaska Native, and 2 were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
Pomona College will offer an eight-week summer residential program to conduct research in Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory (AG&NT), with the express intent to diversify the field. The program, entitled "Pomona Research in Mathematics Experience (PRiME)", will host fifteen undergraduates recruited in a national competition, five graduate students, two junior faculty/postdoctoral fellows, and three senior faculty members. PRiME will present new mathematical ideas and techniques, highlight research in AG&NT, provide enhanced mentoring opportunities, identify potential role models and strengthen professional networks for all participants in the program. These components, individually and wholly, will produce significant broader impacts by fostering the current and future professional skills of a diverse group of participants.
Stipend and Travel
Undergraduate participants in the PRiME program will receive:
- a stipend of $4,000 upon successful completion of the program;
travel to and from Claremont CA, housing at Pomona College, and meals in the dining halls; and
- a $1,500 allowance for travel to future conferences
Prerequisites
Students must be undergraduates in good standing, although preference will be given to applicants who will begin either their junior or senior year in the Fall of 2022. National Science Foundation (NSF) funding also requires that participants must be either US Citizens or Permanent Residents. Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications from students who may provide their own funding.
Application Instructions
Applications for the PRiME program should be submitted through the NSF Common App. For a complete application, you will need to submit
- Two letters of recommendation addressing your ability to conduct research and your ability to work with others.
- An unofficial transcript or list of math courses and grades. An official transcript may be required upon admission to the program.
- A cover letter addressing your interest in the PRiME program. Please address what you hope to get out of participating in PRiME and also which of the research topics you would prefer to participate in.
For full consideration, applications should be received no later than February 15, 2022. Decisions will be announced by March 1, 2022. Questions should be directed to Edray Goins at edray.goins@pomona.edu.
Important Dates
February 15, 2022: Deadline for submitting applications to PRiME.
March 1, 2022: Admission decisions will be announced.
March 8, 2022 (Common Reply Date for REUs): Students will inform PRiME Staff of their decision to attend.
June 12, 2022: PRiME begins!