Leigh Murray
Monash University
I am currently studying a Masters of Financial Mathematics, with a background in Pure Mathematics and Finance. I will be completing a research project in 2026 around these topics.
Can you give me a quick rundown about the type of mathematics you are studying and its potential impacts for the broader community (think how you would explain your work and studies to others who don’t study maths)
My coursework focuses on quantitative analysis and complex derivatives pricing, and particularly using advanced mathematical methods to manage investment portfolios, financial planning, pricing of financial products and analysing business risk. Essentially this involves analysing large amounts of data very quickly in order to make financial decisions. These methods are used by many financial institutions including superannuation funds, banks, and market makers such as Optiver. The mathematical topics that are applied to these ideas include stochastic calculus, partial differential equations, martingales and Brownian motion.
How did you get into mathematics/statistics/data science? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
I always loved mathematics in school, however my mind was set on going into the corporate world initially. I didn’t want to stop my mathematics study during university, and so I enrolled in a Diploma of Mathematical Sciences just to keep learning. I ended up in the Pure Mathematics stream, and loved how abstract those subjects became. It was during my undergraduate that I realised I wanted to pursue my mathematics education more than my commerce education, leading me to a Masters of Financial Mathematics. I was inspired by my female mathematics teachers in high school to pursue higher level maths, as well as my female lecturers in my undergraduate.
You received a Travel Grant to attend AMSI Summer School 2025. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others studying in similar fields? Do you think it was an advantage to attend the program in-person?
The travel grant allowed me to easily decide to do the Summer School over other options such as an internship or a summer job. I was also able to enjoy the Summer School more by being able to afford to stay on campus with the Summer School cohort. This made the whole experience infinitely better as there was so much support and fun during times when we were still working hard on assignments and study.
What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
The most valuable part of the program was meeting other mathematics students and learning about their research areas. I learnt so much about topics that I had never delved into before, such as category theory, representation theory, and algebraic topology.
In the long-term, what do you think are the benefits of having attended Summer School?
In the long term I now have a great network of other maths students that can support each other as our careers progress. The subject was very interesting however the unique offer of the Summer School is the immersive environment and the people that you meet while studying.
Summer School included a special Careers Day program which aims to help give students an idea of the kinds of career paths available to maths graduates in industry and private sector research areas. Do you feel better equipped to explore career options in the mathematical sciences after attending AMSI Summer School?
The Careers Day program exposed me to new industries that I didn’t know hired mathematical sciences students. This definitely broadened my understanding of career options.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Summer School in 2026? Should they apply and why?
You should definitely apply as it allows you to finish a whole subject while being surrounded by other like-minded people. It’s a fully immersive experience if you get to stay in the accommodation offered by the university.
What are your current career ambitions in the mathematical sciences sector?
I am still deciding between pursuing an academic career or going into industry.
How did connecting with the community at AMSI Summer School support your experience?
The AMSI Summer School community made the whole program so fun, while also helping me gain great academic insights into my subject as well. We were able to discuss the new ideas presented in class, as well as share ideas from different subjects that we weren’t all doing together. It meant that I was able to learn about other topics such as Knot Theory and Elliptical PDEs at the same time.