Student Spotlights
PHILOSOPHY UNDERGRADUATE HOLDS A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD
Muskan Walia, a senior honors student majoring in mathematics and philosophy, will serve as the student board member for the 2024-2025 academic year. Walia was selected by Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox to represent the students at Utah's 16 public colleges and universities. "Muskan has extensive leadership experience—including more than two years on the University of Utah’s student senate and two years as a Presidential Intern in Higher Education Leadership at the U."
Philosophy Undergraduate Selected as 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awardee
Muskan Walia, a second-year student studying math and philosophy was named a Key into Public Service Scholar by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. The Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society, and the Key into Public Service award highlights specific pathways for arts and sciences graduates to launch public sector careers. Chosen from numerous applicants attending Phi Beta Kappa chapter institutions across the nation, the Key into Public Service Scholars are high-achieving college sophomores and juniors who display notable breadth and depth in their academic interests.
Walia is an ACCESS Scholar and undergraduate researcher working with Dr. Fred Adler, Professor of Biology and of Mathematics. In her research, Walia adapted an epidemiological SIR model for spread of disease to model the number of cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in order to predict when different types of tests will produce false positives or false negatives.
"Working under the mentorship of Dr. Fred Adler has been invaluable," Walia exclaimed. "I wanted to be engaged in mathematics research that centered on justice and informed public policy. There was truly no better pairing than with Dr. Adler. He has wholeheartedly supported and encouraged my curiosity and passion to utilize mathematics principles to tackle the most pressing social justice related questions of our time."
