Emma Greeven

Honors 100
30 October 2016

Interview: Kate Merifield

Kate is considering a major in the areas of computer science, applied mathematics, or
statistical analysis. However, she also has a passion for environmental conservation and
sustainability, so she is considering a double major or a minor in this area. When it comes to
study abroad, Kate visited Ireland last summer and really enjoyed it. So I may try and find an
exchange or study abroad program for her there. In addition, Kate also took three years of
Spanish classes in high school so many Central and/or South American countries are also good
choices for her. Kate definitely wants to participate in undergraduate research while at the
University of Washington, particularly in the areas of her major. Service-wise, she has
volunteered in the past, and enjoyed it, so she likes the idea of continuing that in college.
Experiential Learning Opportunities:
International Engagement: The Honors exchange program in Peru is available this coming
summer (one of the times Kate is considering doing a study abroad), and can count towards five
Honors or Non-Honors natural world credits. This particular trip travels to various locations in
Peru to explore its biodiversity, and how the country is working to conserve such environments.
There is also a significant focus on environmental sustainability.
Service: Kate could volunteer through United Way of King County with their program that
works with low-income families and help them fill out tax forms in order to save the most
money. No experience is necessary, as there is training built into the program, but she will surely
be able to use some of her prior knowledge of statistics and computer science to this kind of
work.
Research: The 8 week research program through Inverse Problems REU through the UW
Department of Mathematics. They address research problems related to the finding of resistors in
a network from boundary measurements, but may also choose to do research in algebraic
combinatorics or computational number theory. Furthermore, they investigate and formulate
discrete problems involving planar and non-planar networks and their relation to continuous
inverse problems. In addition students may choose to work in the areas of combinatorics or
number theory.