Madeleine Wang '26
First math class at Swarthmore: Stat021 with Professor Steve Wang
What was your favorite math class and why: Math044 (Differential Equations) with Professor Barranca. I took the class out of pure curiosity and interest since it technically isn't a requirement for Statistics majors, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made at Swarthmore. Professor Barranca did an amazing job integrating theoretical, "big-picture" lectures with real-life applications of the course material. Not to mention, he approached every lecture, office hours, and review session with so much passion, energy, and genuine care for his students' learning. His enthusiasm for differential equations was certainly contagious, allowing me to gain a much deeper appreciation for the class.
Why did you become a math major? I never thought I would be a Math major. Because I struggled with math in high school, I assumed I wasn't a "math person". Yet, taking statistics with Professor Wang truly shifted my perspective. He didn't care so much about whether or not I got the right answer, but instead focused on the reasoning and critical thinking process that led me to my answer. Having such a supportive and patient mentor facilitated my blossoming fascination with statistical models, specifically the way they transform and illustrate hidden patterns and relationships. Understanding statistics simply opened a new window into making sense of our highly unpredictable world.
How do you expect to use your mathematics after leaving Swarthmore? As a double statistics and neuroscience major, I've found computational neuroscience projects to be the ideal intersection of my two academic interests. In the future, I hope to use a statistical framework, including modeling, data analysis, and even machine learning techniques, as a way to investigate the complexity of brain-behavior questions. I believe statistics is critical to driving neuroscience research forward, enabling aspiring researchers to better design experiments and personalize patient treatment.
What advice do you have for an incoming student? Your best experiences and memories often come from the classes you least expect. So be adventurous, step out of your comfort zone, and explore anything that sparks even the slightest interest. Your future self will thank you.
