04/20/2026
Meet Moises, a graduate student in LSU Mathematics. He is originally from Colima, Mexico, and is a first-generation college student. Before pursuing mathematics, Moises considered a career in music and is formally trained in traditional Mexican guitar.
➗ What he loves most about mathematics:
Moises is drawn to the creative side of pure mathematics. He enjoys reducing complex observations to their most fundamental and abstract form. “Where a scientist might see a sea of variables, a mathematician works in a space built from short strings of logic.”
🌎 Why math excites him:
Even without experiments or measurements, a mathematical proof discovered in his office remains true anywhere in the universe. While developing new ideas can be challenging, he embraces the process. “Research is 99.9 percent failure and 0.1 percent success. As long as that success rate is not zero, I know I am on the right track.”
📚 Research and professional growth:
As part of his work, Moises regularly presents at conferences and seminars to share new techniques and connect with scholars in related fields. He has attended programs such as the Séminaire de Mathématiques Supérieures in Montréal and the Texas Summer School on Mathematical Physics. These experiences continue to shape his development as a researcher.
🎓 Support that made an impact:
Moises was awarded the A.K. and Shirley Barton Superior Graduate Student Scholarship in Mathematics, which supports travel and conference expenses so he can present his research.
📣 His advice to students:
“Stubbornness and hard work will take you farther than talent alone. Build a strong support network and be welcoming to others.”
