CSU alum wins national award for mathematics research

In a variant of the computer game Lights Out, a series of dials are arranged in a ring. When one of the dials is turned, so too are the adjacent dials. Some of the dials will start straight up, others on their sides. Mathematically, how can we solve for a specific position and improve our chances of winning the game?

These types of problems excite Vlad Sworski, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics graduate from Cleveland State University.

“I have always been interested in puzzles and how to solve them,” Sworski says. “As I got older, I gravitated to math as a field of study because it is based on the idea of using theories and equations to solve puzzles. Some more complicated than others.”

Sworksi’s work on the above problem began when he was approached by Dr. Stephen Gubkin, assistant college lecturer in CSU’s Department of Mathematics, about conducting research on module theory, a key concept utilized in algebraic geometry and algebraic topology. Sworski ended up using the theory, along with linear algebra and Multivariable Chinese Remainder Theorem, to develop a proposed solution to the Lights Out game.

With the encouragement and assistance of Gubkin and fellow CSU math professor Dr. Leah Gold, Sworski submitted his research for inclusion in the student competition for the 2018 Pi Mu Epsilon Conference. PME is the international math honor society and hosts an annual scientific symposium as part of Mathfest, an annual event sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America.

Sworski was selected to present at the 2018 conference in August and ultimately won PME’s Undergraduate Research Award for Outstanding Student Research.

“It was an incredible honor to be able to participate in such a prestigious national conference and to win an award on top of that was really mind blowing,” he adds.

Sworski, who was selected as the College of Science and Health Professions’ valedictorian for its 2018 Spring Commencement, is now looking to solve even more complex puzzles as he works towards his Ph.D. in mathematics at Colorado State University.

“CSU, and the math faculty in particular, provided me with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in graduate school and accomplish all of the professional goals I have set for myself.”

To learn more about Vlad, check out this video: