Samuel Barton
The University of Queensland
I am currently a PhD candidate at the School of Mathematics and Physics at The University of Queensland, working under Professor Diane Donovan. I obtained a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in 2016, majoring in mathematics, where in my final year I completed my honours dissertation on combinatorics and graph theory. My studies also included various advanced courses in statistics and analysis which has improved my research and mathematical skills. I currently research and study a combination of both statistics and combinatorics, with the hope of using this knowledge for novel
applications and results.
Can you give me a quick overview of the type of mathematics you are studying and its potential impacts for the broader community (how would you explain your work and studies to friends who don’t study maths)?
I am currently applying graph theory and statistics to a quantitative genetics framework, with many of the complex systems found in genetics being represented by graphs and networks. Informally, graphs can be described as dots and connecting lines, which make for a visual and applicable structure. As such, this provides both pure and applied mathematical problems and challenges. Along with this, the genetics framework also provides a rich opportunity to uncover novel results and views which could generate knowledge and potential to improve agriculture and human health.
How did you get into mathematics/statistics/data science? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
Ever since I was young, I have always loved mathematics and enjoyed the problems and challenges of learning new concepts and techniques. My father also enjoys mathematics and provided support and help when I was younger which allowed me to follow my passion. Since coming to university to study, I have enjoyed learning the broad and different fields of mathematics which has allowed my love of mathematics to grow.
You received a scholarship to attend AMSI Winter School 2021. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others in the same field?
The scholarship I received to attend the AMSI Winter School 2021 was the primary reason I was able to attend and fully participate without financial difficulty. Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to get involved as much as I did, such as presenting and listening to other attendee’s talks. As such, without the scholarship I would have missed opportunities to learn and discover topics relating to my current research.
Winter School is designed to give students a deeper understanding of their area of research and expose them to others working in different fields/industries. What was the most valuable part of the program for you? Was it the course content or the people you met? Do you have new ideas for your work/research or see it in a new light? Or perhaps it has given you ideas to work in industry?
The most valuable part of the program was a combination of both the course content and the people. All the course content was interesting and presented in a passionate and enthusiastic way. Also, for my current research most course content presented new ideas and inspired me to consider other concepts to bring into my research. Another valuable part of the program was meeting and interacting with other researchers working in the same field, providing a great opportunity to discuss ideas.
Winter School was held as a virtual event for the first time in 2021. What was the biggest positive from your point of view of holding it in this format and/or the biggest challenge?
Having the program run as a virtual event had many advantages. The biggest positive was that it gave opportunity for researchers from many different locations to participate which created a bigger community atmosphere. Although communicating online is not the same as in-person, the program was run in an effective and efficient way which made the virtual experience a real positive.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Winter School in 2022? How would you describe the conference to them?
I would highly recommend the program, it is great opportunity to learn from experts and also network with like-minded researchers. I would describe the conference as being engaging, informative and fun.
Where do you want you the mathematical sciences to take you? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years’ time?
In five or ten years time, I am hoping to have completed my PhD and working as a researcher, working on the applications of pure and applied graph theory.
Any other feedback/comments you would like to provide on the AMSI scholarship or AMSI Winter School 2021?
I am very grateful to have attended the AMSI Winter School 2021 via scholarship. It has been the first AMSI event I have attended and will not be my last, as the program provided interesting content which was presented in a passionate and engaging fashion. Overall, the program was a very enriching experience and I am thankful to all involved.