Hi! My name is Sasha Sluis-Cremer, and I am a rising junior majoring in mathematics and computer science here at Pitt. I enjoy playing the violin and hiking. This summer my research will be in geometry and optimization, in which my mentor is Professor Thomas Hales.

Professor Hales has been working on proving a conjecture to an open geometric problem asking which convex, centrally symmetric shape (think squares, hexagons, circles) cover the least area when packed together. The conjecture, known as Reinhardts Conjecture, states the solution to this problem as the rounded octagon. Myself along with another student of Professor Hales are working on other conjectures associated with his proof.

Often one must find new innovative mathematical approaches to solve these mathematical problems that have been open for so many years. These new strategies present other significant applications in the field of mathematics. Professor Hales implements the strategy of optimal control, a newly established method in optimization.

My professional goal include graduate school and the pursuit of a PhD in mathematics, though in which field I am not certain. My current interests are in cryptography and optimization. I hope the Brackenridge fellowship allows me to realize my interests and direction in mathematics and computer science.