I'm a first year PhD student in the Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management (QERM) program at the University of Washington. I haven't chosen a research project or adviser yet, but getting to shop around during the first year is one of the benefits of the QERM program!
In general I'm interested using the power of computers and applied mathematics to help investigate and explore real world problems using simulation modeling, optimization, GIS analysis, etc.
As a first year QERM student, I am not currently working on any research. Instead I am focusing on course work and hopefully finding a project to work on. There are many opportunities on campus, so I have plenty of projects to look at.
For my Master's in Environmental Systems: Mathematical Modeling I worked with Yosemite National Park to create a simulation model of wilderness use in Yosemite National Park. The work was well received and I was asked to present the work to the Mathematics department at Humboldt State University for their 2011 colloquium series. The full text can be downloaded here: Ross, 2011
I come from Eureka California, where the Redwoods grow. I received my BA (2007) in Applied Mathematics and my MS (2011) in Environmental Systems: Mathematical Modeling both from Humboldt State University. I spend most of my free time with my wife and my dog. I enjoy hiking, juggling and nerdy games (D&D, Pathfinder, Dominion, Artemis, etc). I also like to ride flatland BMX as you can see in the following video, though I haven't really found a place to ride in Seattle yet.
