Written by: Paola Pinto March 8, 2024 Zachary Nunez, UAH student pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Economics. Four Mathematical Sciences undergraduate students from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, participated in 84th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition on Saturday, December 2, 2023. This six-hour examination, the preeminent undergraduate mathematics competition in the US and Canada, consists of two sets of six advanced mathematics problems that test students' understanding and knowledge of often graduate-level mathematical concepts. The team consisted of four math majors who performed admirably: Aarushi Modi, James Torrent, London Lewis, and Zachary Nunez. According to Dr. Daniel Bossaller from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the average score for the team was 12.5 points (equivalent to correctly answering one-and-a-quarter questions). The median score for the 84th annual Putnam Exam was around 10 points this year, but it has been as low as 0 points in past years. Zachary Nunez was the highest score on the team, who scored 31 out of 120 total points, putting him in the top 500 of more than 4000 students in this competition. Nunez is in his third year of college, pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Economics. Nunez's academic achievements include being on the Dean's list (Spring 2023), the President's list (Fall 2023), and receiving the 2023 Mathematical Sciences Department Undergraduate Achievement Award. "I wasn't really much of a math person. I had no idea I would eventually get into math. I just kind of picked it up one day." Zachary Nunez shared. Despite facing challenges such as disrupting math competitions like the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) during his high school years due to COVID-19, Nunez remained committed to his passion for mathematics. Looking towards the future, Nunez expressed his aspirations to pursue a Ph.D., particularly in the intersection of mathematics and computer science. He shared, "I'm exploring a few options. One of the recent things I've been interested in is computer science: algorithms and optimization and those sorts of mathematical areas." In his mathematical journey, Nunez highlights the importance of mentorship, consistency, and passion. He acknowledged the support of influential figures, including his middle school math teachers, parents, and professors at UAH, who have significantly shaped his academic and career trajectory. Despite the rigorous nature of the Putnam exam, Nunez expressed contentment with his advancement and consistently improved performance over the past three years, progressively elevating his score with each attempt. Also, Nunez highlighted the importance of the Putnam competition in nurturing mathematical excellence within the UAH community. He expressed his aspiration to elevate UAH's name in this competition. Nunez, serving as the President of the UAH math club, oversees a student organization dedicated to exploring the subjects of mathematical theory and application, modeling complex data, and celebrating the beauty of mathematics. Under Nunez's direction, the club hosts practice sessions each Fall Semester, including specialized sessions for the Putnam competition, which will continue next Fall. "Zachary, who is very passionate about mathematics, is especially interested in difficult open math problems, which speaks volumes about his talents," says Dr. Toka Diagana. Department Chair of Mathematical Sciences. The advisors for the Putnam team, Dr. Satyaki Roy and Dr. Daniel Bossaller, both faculty members of the Mathematical Sciences Department, express immense pride in the dedication and hard work demonstrated by these students during their preparation for the examination last fall. They eagerly anticipate continued success for the UAH team in future mathematical competitions.
