Student at Cornell University · Pure Mathematics, Indigenous Studies
I’m a Master's student at the University of Washington studying Applied Mathematics. I recently graduated with a B.A. at Cornell University in Pure Mathematics with a minor in American Indian and Indiegnous Studies. I have been an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Mathematics studying ecological calendars and their mathematical implications. My interests include algebra, differential forms, ecological calendars, policy, algorithmic art, and animation.
Research presentation for Cornell Cooperative Extension representing Warren County.
September 13, 2024
Practice lecture at the Department of Mathematics at Cornell University.
Janurary 8, 2025My current research focuses on ecological calendars as a way to understand how communities can anticipate and adapt to climate change. An ecological calendar is a knowledge-based system that tracks seasonal changes by observing ecological indicators; such as the first frost, the bloom of a flower, the arrival of migratory birds, or the position of stars in the sky. These indicators are not isolated events: they are interconnected, where the occurrence of one often signals or informs another.
In Warren County, New York, I am working with community members to document, analyze, and synthesize local ecological knowledge into a regional ecological calendar. This work is being conducted in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County and Cornell University, under the guidance of Professor Karim-Aly Kassam. Through interviews and seasonal mapping, we gather knowledge of environmental cues that have long guided activities such as planting, harvesting, hunting, and community organization. By bringing this knowledge together with scientific data, we hope to generate calendars that are both scientifically rigorous and culturally meaningful, providing tools to help communities adapt to the local effects of global climate change.
From a mathematical perspective, I am interested in how ecological calendars can be thought of as models of interconnected indicators. Each indicator, whether it is a frost, a bloom, or a migration event, exists within a system of relationships. Tracking these indicators over time may reveal hidden structures, possibly existing along “paths” in higher dimensions shaped by population dynamics, plant growth rates, spawning cycles, and other variables.
Ultimately, I view ecological calendars not only as cultural knowledge systems but also as dynamic, living models—ones that may require constant updating in response to shifting climates and changing ecosystems. By studying their structure, I hope to better understand both the mathematics of interdependence and the ways in which communities can remain resilient in the face of environmental uncertainty.
To learn more about my research group, you can visit my professor's website here: https://blogs.cornell.edu/karim-aly--kassam/students/
Teaching high school students how to solve the Rubik's Cube at SMASH Academy
July 15, 2025I am passionate about sharing knowledge and helping students understand the inner workings of mathematics, encouraging them to see the world through a mathematical lens.
As the founder of the Jr. Oakland Cubers, I have helped over 1,000 youth, particularly marginalized youth, learn to solve the Rubik’s Cube, building confidence and problem-solving skills along the way.
This interactive sketch was created for my YouTube piece Iterations. Adjust the number of rows and columns, the spacing between points, the number of arms per piece, and how long each arm stretches to generate different patterns.
If you enjoy my research or generative art, consider buying me a coffee.
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