Kadesha Reynolds

Kadesha Reynolds

”Create change and expand in knowledge”

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree Program: Applied and Computational Mathematics
Degree: Doctorate

Award: McKnight Doctoral Fellowship (2023)

Why FSU?

I chose to attend FSU to pursue my graduate degree in Department of Mathematics because of the academic rigor and the groundbreaking research performed at the university. Based on my experience at FSU and the research of faculty and alumni, I knew that I would get a high-quality education and receive the tools needed to conduct research and obtain remarkable research findings. As an undergraduate student, I saw the immense support that my professors gave to their advisees, and that motivated me to attend.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I have always loved math and especially enjoyed teaching and assisting others with math comprehension. I have been tutoring math for more than nine years, and many of my students would question the importance of math comprehension beyond their four-month class. My students and my passion for deeper knowledge and exploration of applied mathematics have motivated me to pursue a graduate degree.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

With my research of algorithms and optimization, I plan to utilize and refine quantum annealing for Markowitz-portfolio optimizations to minimize financial risks while maximizing returns. I would also like to explore integration of machine-learning algorithms and data mining to improve efficiency in manufacturing. My research will benefit society by creating more financial opportunities for impoverished communities as well as decrease pollution created by manufacturing.

Career aspirations

My passion researching mathematical applications and helping students has led me to aspire to be an applied math professor. I desire to help college students learn, understand, and value the applications of mathematics in areas such as finance, programming, and machine learning. After a few years, I would like to work in the industry as a quantitative analyst.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Take the time to research your desired program and look at the course requirements. Would you be excited to take those classes? Evaluate which program interests you the most and closely aligns with your career goals while considering the courses and research of faculty in the program.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am proud of these accomplishments: