West Point Mathematical Sciences

West Point Math Department - AIAD TOUR✖️🚙🗺️💻

📍Monterey, CA

CDT’s: Phoebe Yang, Grayson Peyovich, John Clausing

‘UTILIZING BIG DATA’ FOR OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND/OR SECURITY VETTING

📍Arlington, VA

CDT: Ethan Wiltz

‘USING A TOP SECRET (TS) MODEL TO INTERPRET, REPORT, VISUALIZE METRICS/KPI’S WITH THE DCSA THROUGH THE INSIDER THREAT HUB (InT)’

📍Tyson’s Corner, VA

CDT’s: Aiden Adams, Jerry Lu

‘TWINNING THE ARMY’S INSIDER THREAT DETECTION PROGRAM’

📍Newport News,VA

CDT: James Song

THE FORGOTTEN WAR: USING NETWORK ANALYSIS TO EXAMINE FLOWS OF IDP’S

Last week, as part of our Faculty Development Workshop (FDW), the incoming Mathlete instructors experienced an exhilarating helicopter ride with former mathlete LTC Ashlie Christian piloting. The journey took faculty on a grand loop of the garrison, offering stunning aerial views.

The flight then ventured westward, soaring over Camp Buckner and other training areas, capturing a view of Cadet Summer Training. The final leg of the trip brought the team back north over the majestic Hudson River, culminating in a smooth landing back at Buffalo Soldier Field.

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point

A huge thank you to LTC Christian for making this unforgettable experience possible!

On Friday, July 19th, Math Department faculty stepped out of the classroom and into the action by joining Cadet Basic Training PT! Shown here with Applied Stats and Data Science (ASDS) major Evan Asuncion, current cadet Regimental Ops SGM, we're embracing the spirit of teamwork, discipline, and fitness.

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Commandant
West Point Parents

D A T A ▪️ L I T E R A C Y ▪️101

A course developed by COL Nicholas J Clark, a professor at the West Point Math Department. This was the second year this course has been implemented to educate the leaders of military and academic organizations.

Overall 145 attendees visited West Point from June 3-7, 2024 to further familiarize themselves with this ever-evolving data-filled culture. In this course, they are taught how to understand the basic level of data (facts and statistics) which in turn will lead them to make more sound decisions based on these discoveries.

A new addition to the course this year was more hands-on experience. They learned how to analyze data sets with the data-focused Python class. Many spoke on the various ways they could apply these strategies to their current systems. The excitement and efficiency of becoming data literate, and the impact of improving the problem-solving process as a whole, ignited many possibilities for the participants of this course.

The purpose of this course is for these leaders to be able to ingest the knowledge and tools, implement it, and then pass their training on to their peers. This is a mission that continues to bring the benefits of this new data-filled world, not only creating better systems but also solving problems with less risk and more reward.

We would like to show our appreciation to the Department of Math’s Center for Data Analysis and Statistics. COL James Starling, MAJ Chris Bingman, and Dr. Brian Choi. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to attend the 5-day workshop. We look forward to continuing to see the impact of data literacy being utilized across the board. 👏

📰***NEW ARTICLE*** By USMA covering the Data Literacy course that was held at West Point, Last week: June 3-7, 2024.

"The power of data: Data Literacy 101 course helping military organizations make sound decisions"

By Eric S. Bartelt West Point Public Affairs Specialist
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https://www.westpoint.edu/news/west-point-news/the-power-of-data-data-literacy-101-course-helping-military-organizations-make
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📊 Data A.I Workshop Recap🔁

🔸Huge thank you for the support and funding by NIH Precision Nutrition (NPH) program, powered by All of Us Research. West Point was the meeting ground, June 11-12, for networking and connecting over data and the forward momentum of evolving the existing research on our nutrition.

“The goal of the NIH Common Fund’s Nutrition for Precision Health, powered by the All of Us Research Program, is to develop algorithms that predict individual responses to food and dietary patterns.”

👏We would like to highlight the efforts from the members of the Math Department, Dr. Diana Thomas and COL (ret) Mason Crow for leading and planning the workshop. Thank you to COL Lee and COL Cummiskey who participated in the workshop. COL Scioletti for his attendance and showing support. Much appreciation to COL Joseph Lindquist, COL Lee, and COL Kevin Cummiskey for leading the tours around the beautiful West Point landscape. Also for all those who made it out with their presence and engaged in the workshop!

“Nutrition for Precision Health researchers spent time getting acquainted with the data types and working in the All of Us Researcher Workbench. We also had fun touring beautiful West Point graced by perfect weather.” - Dr.Diana Thomas

📸Many thanks to Dr. Thomas, COL Lee, Dr. Holly Nicastro (NIH) and Dr. Samantha Huey (Cornell) for capturing these moments.

We are beyond excited for this miraculous moment with Zoe Winston, a current West Point Mathlete going into her Firstie year with a bang!

Check out the article covered by News 12 Hudson Valley.
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West Point cadet makes history as academy's first astronaut scholar West Point Cadet Zoe Winston is making history as the academy's first astronaut scholar.

Thank you for your positive energy and dedication to cadet development during your time at D/Math. We are grateful for the opportunity to have created amazing memories with you all. You will be dearly missed!

Wishing you all the best as you navigate your next journey!

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WHAT ARE FORMER MATHLETES UP TO?

On today's iteration of where are former Mathletes, we'd like to showcase 1LT Andrew Efaw, a USMA 2021 graduate, member of Company F-1 (Go Firehouse!), and Mathematical Sciences major. As a recent Ranger graduate, he’s currently serving as the Executive Officer in Bastion Company, 54th BEB, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Andrew oversees the company operations section and helps plan, resource, and execute training within his Brigade and with our NATO allies.

On why Andrew chose Mathematical Sciences: “I wanted to study in a technical field, but with so many options, I was unsure which major to select. The instructors in the Math Department struck me as the most personable and very knowledgeable, and ultimately I was convinced that being a math major would best equip me with the problem solving skills that would help me to be successful with whatever I choose to do in the future. Four years of math classes at West Point prepared me to solve complex problems and tackle the rigors I face as an Airborne Engineer officer.”

Andrew plans to attend the Engineer Captain’s Career Course in July 2025. After ECCC, he hopes to Fort Liberty for Company Command. “I love serving in the Airborne community. From my experience, Paratroopers are very driven to improve and challenge themselves on a daily basis. I feel that I have grown so much as a leader and person in my short time in the 173rd, and I want to invest in the lives of Airborne Sappers as a Company Commander.”

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

What an incredible achievement for the Math Department at the Dean's Award Ceremony and Master Teacher Program Graduation! Seven faculty members were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments: Majors Chris Bingman, Joe Maxwell, Brittany Oletti, and Brad Witt, along with Dr. Elyse Dykhuis, celebrated their MTP graduation. COL Jamie Bluman was honored with the Dean's Award for Scholarship Excellence (Mid-Career), and LTC Ashlie Christian received the Dean's Award for Distinguished Diversity Excellence. Congratulations to all for their dedication and hard work!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point

Proud to highlight the innovative work of Cadets David Caddigan, Aiden Looney, Ashton Gaines, and Heyward Hutson, advised by MAJ Thomas Kendall at West Point. They tackled a critical issue faced by Soldiers in Afghanistan by developing "Hindsight," a smart sight that adjusts automatically for elevation changes. Presented at MaRS on May 2, their proof of concept uses a ballistics computer and gyroscope to ensure accuracy when shooting at inclines. This project exemplifies the cutting-edge research happening in the Math Department and the dedication of our Cadets to improving Soldier safety.

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

West Point team’s computerized rifle scope adjusts itself in combat A quartet of West Point cadets developed a proof of concept for a rifle attachment that automatically adjusts a soldier's optic to account for elevation.

Prepping for TEEs with glee! Four of our very own Math faculty (Majors Reder, Maxwell, Kendall and CPT Sherrell) tackled the ~14 mile / 30 obstacle Spartan Beast course together in New Jersey on April 27th, gaining many cheers of “Go Army, Beat Navy” and many requests for “Army Math” shirts.

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point

ONE ⭐️ DAY ⭐️ AWAY!

We have one more option for you to consider watching tomorrow at MaRS! We recommend CDT Joshua Wong (Advised by LTC Nathaniel Bastian), who is presenting his research on Artificial Intelligence Decision Aids within Modeling and Simulation. Details below!

What:
• Project title: A Methodology for Representing and Assessing Artificial Intelligence Decision Aids within Modeling and Simulation
• Collaborators: Ms. Emily Nack, Mr. Zachary Steelman, Mr. Seth Erway
• Client: DEVCOM Analysis Center

When/Where:
• Presenting at 0900-0930 in Ike Hall (Central Ballroom)

Why it matters:
•Key results: We identified three main factors that help inform Artificial Intelligence (AI) assessment in Modeling and Simulation (M&S): model integration, realism and fidelity, and scalability. Model integration considers the ease at which AI-enabled Decision Aids can be represented and updated in a specific M&S environment. Realism and fidelity consider how well a simulation represents a real-world environment and how well a user can customize the simulation environment to fit the use case. Finally, scalability addresses the computational efficiency of the simulation in the sense of the M&S environment and the application of the AI-enabled Decision Aid itself.

Don't worry, there are plenty more to see! You can check out the Projects Day App for the full listing of all the projects that will be presented tomorrow. We will see you there!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

Still considering who you want to watch on Projects Day? May we suggest CDT Tobias Hild (Advised by LTC Mike Powell), who is presenting his research on Multimodal Authentication to Increase Security and Accuracy? Details below!

What:
• Project title: Multimodal Authentication to Increase Security and Accuracy
• Client: SOCOM, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
• Key results: We developed an authentication system that leverages face identification, voice recognition, automated speech-to-text, and audio-video compatibility in response to a randomly generated passphrase to prevent both presentation and replay attacks while maintaining high pass rates for authorized users.

When:
• Presenting at 1030-1100 in Ike Hall (Central Ballroom)

Why their research matters:
• Does your kid know your phone passcode? Now they’ll need your face, your voice, and the ability to read to log in and “accidentally” buy something on Amazon.

We hope to see you there!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

We are very proud of all the hard work our faculty and staff continue to put in here at our Math Department. Dr. Diana Thomas progresses in her intensive research on nutrition and obesity-related modeling and will be sharing and partaking in engaging discussions on her findings at Math Fest this August 7-10 in Indianapolis, IN.

Refer to the shared post for more information and includes the link allowing you to register for this exciting event!

Diana M. Thomas serves as a professor of mathematical sciences at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she has dedicated over 25 years to active research in mathematics, focusing on nutrition and obesity-related modeling. At , she will explore the intricacies of the post-prandial glycemic response curve. Thomas will illustrate how employing calculus to examine curve properties beyond the Area Under the Curve (AUC)—such as the number of critical points, optimal values, inflection points, and the maximum rates of increase or decrease—can help distinguish between healthy individuals and those at risk, as well as predict the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals previously not diagnosed with the disease.

You don’t want to miss this discussion. Register for below!

https://bit.ly/3Suz9MV

Have you started thinking about which presentations you want to watch at MaRS yet? Let's do a quick MaRS presenter spotlight to show you one option (don't worry, we will be showcasing more leading up to May 2nd!)

Our first spotlight is CDT Skylar Chauff (Advised by Dr. Diana Thomas)!

What:
• Project title: Analyzing Calculus-Based Properties of Molecular Response Curves
• Collaborators: CDT Jake Beckman, Dr. Barbara Gower, Sarah Sweatt, Dr. Jake Laporte
• Client: National Institute of Health

When:
• Presenting at 0830-0900 in Ike Hall (Central Ballroom)

Where they have the biggest impact:
• This research may allow for better prediction of diabetes in patients prior to onset of disease.

Why their research matters:
• Explore previously unused methods to predict/classify diabetes based on molecular response curves. Methods include analysis of inflection points and rates of incline/decline.

We hope to see you there!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point

⚠️ How can you safeguard your org from insider threats?

1️⃣ Check out the West Point Mathematical Sciences Departnent’s inaugural Insider Threat journal ⤵️
👉🔗bit.ly/WPP_MIROR_S23

2️⃣ Take advice from as Clemente &
Seetharaman's article, "Adapt or Die: Building Internal Intelligence Networks to Combat Modern Insider Threats."

💡To advance the discussion of insider risk and organizational, this first MIRROR Journal issue provides...
• Senior leader perspective articles from the DoD and industry
• Research articles from the DoD, academia and law enforcement
• Case studies and professional commentary from industry and law enforcement

🔗For more inspiring content by our West Point Press, or to submit content for publication, check out westpointpress.com!

_________
West Point - The U.S. Military Academy | West Point Superintendent | West Point Association of Graduates | West Point Admissions | West Point Parents | Secretary of the Army | Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army - Texas - Capital Region | Army Leader Exchange

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?

Unfortunately, many individuals respond to exercise by increasing their intake to the point that they may not see weight loss in a phenomenon called compensation.

Exercise has been known to decrease fat at the waist, however, a recent study titled "“Exercise-induced Changes in Central Adiposity During an RCT: Effect of Exercise Dose and Associations With Compensation” found this decrease is attenuated by compensation.


The article is currently featured by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and was co-authored by Dr. Diana M. Thomas with colleagues from the University of Glascow, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Technical University of Munich.

Article - "Effect of different doses of supervised exercise on food intake, metabolism, and non-exercise physical activity: The E-MECHANIC randomized controlled trial."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6735935/

Article - "Why do individuals not lose more weight from an exercise intervention at a defined dose? An energy balance analysis."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3771367/

A final congratulations to all of our cadets!

We look forward to watching them continue to excel at USMA!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

It's our final , so let's go out with a bang!

The final award given out at our Top Gun Ceremony is the Annual Student Mathematics Award. This award is presented to cadets who are nominated by Department of Mathematical Sciences instructors for outstanding achievements in mathematics during the academic year. Cadets receiving this award are presented with a book to further their interest in mathematics as well as a certificate of achievement.

The recipients of AY23's Annual Student Mathematics Award were:
CDT Carter Coffman
CDT Jacob Crossman
CDT Ethan Drost
CDT Jace Engberg (not pictured)
CDT Sebastian MacAulay
CDT Michael Speer
CDT Matthew Wanta (not pictured)

Join us in congratulating them on their award or reward them with a math problem to solve!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents

This past weekend, COL Andrew Lee, Dr. Ryan Allaire, MAJ Joseph Maxwell, and MAJ Si Park attended the 36th annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM) in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted by Pearson Higher Education.

Their talks were well received with great enthusiasm, generating further ideas:
• COL Lee presenting students' use of ChatGPT in a Linear Algebra course and hosted lightning talks on participants’ explorations with and of AI.
• Dr. Allaire discussed the impacts of using video lessons for advanced mathematics courses.
• MAJ Maxwell showcased generative AI in illustrating tough-to-convey concepts.
• MAJ Park demonstrated various ways instructors use modern tools to streamline lesson preparation.

ICTCM 2024 also provided an excellent opportunity for them to learn new technologies, instructional designs, and learning outcomes and to connect with educators from across the globe!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point

Happy !

Today, we are celebrating Cadets Zoe Winston and Carlton Spivey (not pictured), who earned the highest average in MA372 (Introduction to Discrete Math) in AY23-2.

Join us in congratulating Cadets Winston and Spivey for their hard work!

Dean of the Academic Board-West Point
West Point Parents