Profile

Mathematician / Researcher with more than 15 years of experience, an extremely high level of quantitative skill and strong problem-solving expertise. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and apply the appropriate statistical or advanced mathematical methods to extract trends, extrapolate, and draw correlations to solve problems. Experienced and successful in working on a range of challenging projects and utilizing leading-edge computer programming languages, mathematics software applications, and technologies. Thrives in collaborative, innovative, team-driven environments, as well as in roles as an individual contributor. Leverages honed project management, organizational, interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills to complete deliverables within scheduled timelines while addressing the objectives of all stakeholders.

Strengths

Mathematical Research Quantitative Analysis Strategic Analysis / Optimization
Predictive Analytics Collaborative Research Written Communication / Presentation
Statistical Analysis Team Dynamics / Leadership Project Leadership
Software Architecture Teaching / Training Process / Productivity Improvement

Education / Certifications / Clearance

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D), Mathematics, University of New Mexico, 1999
Dissertation: Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms     Advisor: Alexandru Buium
Master of Arts (M.A.), Mathematics, University of New Mexico, 1995
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Mathematics and Physics, Whitman College, 1993

Society of Actuaries, examination P/1 (Probability 1), October 2006
Probability, multivariate distributions, discrete and continuous random variables, moments
Society of Actuaries, examination FM/2 (Financial Mathematics), November 2006

Inactive TS/SCI (Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information) Clearance

Professional Experience

University of San Diego 2014 - present

Adjunct Professor, Shiley Marcos School of Engineering
  • Teach classes in probability and statistics with applications to engineering. Introduce students to current practices including use of R, Minitab and Excel.

Kaggle.com 2012 - present

Master-ranked Data Scientist
  • Compete in multiple predictive analytic and modeling contests covering problem domains that include aviation, household energy use, employee access, acoustic signals for birds, whale detection, dark matter, molecular activity, and algorithmic/programming challenges.
  • Perform a variety of data cleaning and feature engineering using Unix tools, Python and Python libraries including Pandas, scikit-learn, numpy, and SciPy.
  • Create single and multiclass classification models using logistic regression, ensemble methods, stochastic gradient descent and decision trees with scikit-learn implementations.
  • Create regression models using ensemble methods, support vector machines, and Bayesian regression.
  • Combine multiple individual models into a single model to improve overall performance.
  • Create visualizations to enhance understanding of the data

IDA Center for Communications Research (CCR) 2007 - present

Adjunct Research Staff Member
  • Conduct mathematical research on projects that support the National Security Agency (NSA) in protecting the information/communications of the US government, as well as deriving foreign signals intelligence.
  • Perform complex statistical analyses, computational analysis, and independent/collaborative research.
  • Design research projects and work on highly complex, long-standing research problems and subjects of great importance to national security.
  • Recommended and implemented a computing process improvement that increased throughput 20%.
  • Develop proofs of concept, mathematical computer simulations, and modeling for defense programs.
  • Manage projects; develop software tools to address and solve computational/mathematical problems.
  • Authored 7 papers and conducted several talks, in addition to releasing 2 software packages.

Northern Illinois University 1999-2005

Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • Developed research program in arithmetic algebraic geometry; authored peer-reviewed publications and presented at a conferences and other symposia.
  • Taught 17 different courses with repeated experience in 6 of the courses; courses included mathematical model building, linear algebra, abstract algebra, ordinary differential equations, advanced calculus, calculus, cryptography, and number theory.
  • Strengthened alumni, student, and community relationships by serving on committees and in outreach roles, including the Math Club Advisor, Colloquium Committee, Commencement Committee, and role model for the Women in Science Program; key role in providing scholarships and helping students to gain national recognition.
Phone: (858) 352 6216 Chris Hurlburt Email: [email protected]

University of New Mexico 1994-1999

Research Assistant, Department of Mathematics, 1997-1999
  • Conducted research in arithmetic algebraic geometry. Specifically, computed isogeny-covariant differential modular forms and the Kodaira-Spencer class of a family of arithmetic curves; advisor: Alex Buium.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Mathematics, 1995-1999
  • Taught 2 to 3 courses per year with an average of approximately 60 students per class; courses included College Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Differential Equations.
  • Performed research for dissertation and completed coursework.
  • Earned consistently positive student evaluations; ranked in the top third of 50+ teaching assistants.
Efroymson Research Assistant, 1998
  • Awarded prestigious academic fellowship to support doctoral program research; given to 1 outstanding post-masters graduate student per year. Worked on research for dissertation.
Graduate Assistant, Minority Engineering Math and Science Grant, 1994-1995
  • Tutored more than 200 minority students each semester as part of a program to help retain and increase the number of under-represented students majoring in, and earning undergraduate degrees in, engineering, math, and science.

Walla Walla Community College 1993

Teaching Intern, Washington State Penitentiary
  • Taught adult basic education classes in the engineering lab at the Washington State Penitentiary.
  • Provided tutoring and one-on-one classroom assistance.

Publications

Hermite's Constant for Function Fields (with J. Thunder), Canad. J. Math., Accepted 2010, in press
Non-Linear Codes from Points of Bounded Height (with J. Thunder), Finite Fields Appl., 13, no. 2, 281-292, 2007
Computing Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms, Math. Comp., 74, no. 250, 905-926, 2005
Zero Loci of Differential Modular Forms, J. Number Theory, 98, no. 1, 47-54, 2003
Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms Modulo p, Compositio Mathematica, 128, no. 1, 17-34, August 2001

Grants

Fibonacci Triangles, Northern Illinois University URAP, December 2004-May 2005
Arithmetic Analogs of Differential Algebraic Equations, National Security Agency, January 2003-January 2005

Presentations

Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms, Algebra Seminar, New Mexico State University, September 2003
Computing Differential Modular forms, Applications of Computer Algebra Conference, Special Session on Computational Aspects of Algebraic Curves, Raleigh, NC, July 2003
Applications of $p$-derivations to Arithmetic Algebraic Geometry, Joint Mathematics Meeting of AMS/MAA, Special Session on Graduate and Postdoctoral Education in Arithmetical Algebraic Geometry, New Orleans, LA, January 2001
Differential Modular Forms, Colloquium, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, October 1999
Differential Modular Forms, AMS Western Sectional Meeting, Special Session on Diophantine Problems, Las Vegas, NV, April 1999
Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms, AMS Southwestern Sectional Meeting, Special Session on Arithmetic Algebraic Geometry, Tucson, AZ, November 1998

Technology Portfolio

Programming Languages: Python, C (w/ MPI and UPC), familiar with Perl, PHP
Applications: Matlab, Sage, Maple, Mathematica, Magma, Macauley, MySQL; some R

Volunteer & Outreach

Advisor for the Mathematical Contest in Modeling teams from NIU, 2005
Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics High School Math Contest proctor, 2000-2005
NIU Math Club advisor, 2001-2003   ·   NIU Math Camp, 2001-2002