Statement of Purpose
(SHI_Runze)
At the first lecture of the “Methods in Partial Differential Equations” course during my final
year of undergraduate studies, our esteemed professor captivated us with a profound quote from
John Von Neumann: In mathematics you don’t understand things, you just get used to them.
Just like what has happened amidst many industrial revolutions at modern times, the public is
not obsessed with understanding the intricate breakthroughs of science and technology, but just
follows their changes and impacts on human social activities. In such a context of great
development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning is playing a vital role in the
research of various disciplines. For example, in the fields of materials and climate simulation,
machine learning can improve the performance of AI and then train various models, and find
the best fit at a faster speed to predict the properties of materials and future weather conditions
based on the provided data. This underscores the perpetual significance of mathematics in the
grand narrative of global scientific and technological progress. Currently, human science and
technology is advancing at an unpredictable pace. To navigate this ever-evolving landscape and
contribute meaningfully to the world’s advancement, I firmly believe that a continued pursuit
of mathematics at the doctoral level is paramount.
I believe that my past life and learning experiences, particularly my three years of immersion
in mathematics at the University of Birmingham (UoB) in the UK, equips me admirably to
embark on further studies in this field. Despite a detour into political economy during my post-
graduate study in 2023, a year dedicated to unraveling the intricate web of global dynamics,
my heart remains steadfast in mathematics. During the three years at the School of Mathematics
of UoB, I have not only excelled academically, graduating with first-class honors, but also
honed my ability to translate real-world complexities into mathematical constructs. In the
Mathematical Modeling and Mechanics courses, I was able to transform non-pure mathematical
problems into problems expressed in mathematical language, and solve these problems with
clarity and logic, whether working solo or in teams. Moreover, the Differential Equations and
Methods in Partial Differential Equations courses undertaken in my latter years further fortified
my grasp on mathematical modeling methods. This quest for knowledge was complemented by
my elective studies in Number Theory and Game Theory & Multi-Criteria Decision-Making,
which deepened and broadened my mathematical horizons. After three years of studying
mathematics at the UoB, my interest in interdisciplinary studies has grown. I feel it interesting
to integrate the mathematical theories I’ve acquired with fields like mechanics and numerical
analysis, aiming to create practical applications that harness the power of math in real-world
contexts.
It should be mentioned that I was ever involved in the handling of financial tasks across three
organizations, which offered me practical insights but lacked personal fulfillment. Interned as
a research assistant in Nous Capital, I grasped the impact of social policies and national
conditions on corporate fundamentals. In a property company’s planning and operational
department, I mastered the skills in managing employee headcount changes efficiently with a
self-built model and provided valuable data for the HR department. My internship in a land
company’s financial and management department enhanced my data searching, organization,
and analysis abilities. In the process of applying my knowledge and skills, as well as learning
new knowledge and techniques, I found decision-making risks could be reduced with the help
of economic and policy-related knowledge, and economic professionals are in demand in most
work of life. These experiences had prompted me to study political economics after
undergraduate study, but my studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong revealed a
mismatch with my aptitude for such a subjective field, reinforcing my decision to continue
pursuing mathematics.
Furthermore, I derive pleasure from perusing mathematics textbooks in my free time. I
completed "Linear Algebra Done Right" and "Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications" by
Rosen in the summer of 2021, "Analysis" by Tao in the summer of 2022, and the ring section
of "Basic Algebra" by Jacobson in the spring of 2023. Despite graduating from the Department
of Mathematics at UoB a year ago, I actively engage with math-related topics online, delving
into unfamiliar areas such as numerical methods, fluid mechanics, and mathematical
programming tools like Matlab. I also commenced studying "Functional Analysis, Sobolev
Space and PDE" by Brezis and "Numerical Analysis" by Burden in August of this year. Prior
to opting to apply for Emory, I meticulously reviewed the curriculum of the graduate courses.
I intend to attend the numerical analysis courses, matrix analysis and the topics in computational
mathematics if granted admission and try my best to join the attractive Prof. Matthias Chung’s
lab, Prof. Xi’s lab and Professor Newman’s team. I am particularly interested in collaborating
with Professor Chung to conduct in-depth research on optimization and numerical linear
algebra, aiming to develop a more efficient computational approach applicable to geophysical
inversion, computational biology, and ecology.
This Math PhD programme provides access to a distinguished research team and offers
numerous engaging courses during the initial two years. The essential courses for establishing
a robust foundation include analysis I and II, numerical analysis I and II and matrix analysis
that intrigued me. I contend that focus on numerical analysis and matrix analysis can yield
exceptional research outcomes. Consequently, a lifelong pursuit of computational mathematics
has been my objective. I am well-prepared for this project and would appreciate your earnest
consideration of my application.
