The SIAM-IMA Dublin Area Student Chapter held its second anniversary meeting in UCD, Belfield on 3 March, 2022.  Ed Donlon, a PhD researcher in the School of Mathematical Sciences is the current president of the Dublin Area Student Chapter.  He welcomed approximately twenty-five students from all Dublin-area universities and presented an overview over the Chapter and its activities.

 

The SIAM-IMA Dublin Area Student Chapter is a student-led organisation with members from all Dublin area universities.  It is funded by the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) as well as the Institute for Mathematics and its Application (IMA). Its committee organises research- and industry-focussed talks, career events, and meet-ups which concentrate on different aspects of working in and with mathematics as a student.  Membership is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students from participating universities with an interest in applied mathematics and more information can be found on the website https://sites.google.com/view/siam-ima-dublin/.

 

Ed's introduction was followed by a talk by Dr Kirk Soodhalter (Trinity College Dublin) who spoke about his non-traditional career path.  Dr Soodhalter highlighted how his own path (that ultimately led him to become an assistant professor in numerical analysis at Trinity College Dublin) was paved with uncertainties and insecurities. His engaging presentation and openness were warmly welcomed by the audience.