FSU Department of Mathematics set to host second annual Math in Industry Symposium

This week, Florida State University’s Department of Mathematics will host its second annual Math in Industry Symposium where accomplished FSU math alumni and mathematicians across industries will discuss the various ways they use math in their professional careers.

The two-day symposium features four keynote speakers and concludes with a jobs panel where students can network with industry professionals. It kicks off Friday, Feb. 27 from 3:05-5 p.m. and continues Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the James J. Love Building on FSU’s Tallahassee campus.

“The Math in Industry Symposium helps students link their coursework and research to career opportunities,” said Giray Ökten, associate chair for graduate studies in the Department of Mathematics. “Because more than half of our graduate students pursue careers in industry, this event gives them insight into how mathematics is used in practice, what skills employers value, and how to build professional networks.”

The first keynote speaker of the event is Roman Holowinsky, co-founder and managing director of the Erdős Institute and a tenured professor of mathematics at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, known for his work in number theory. He will present “The Erdős Institute: A Multi-University Approach to Helping Doctoral Graduates Get Jobs” Friday from 3:05-4 p.m. followed by a reception at 4:15 p.m.

The Erdős Institute is a multi-university collaboration founded in 2017 that helps doctoral students and alumni exploring career pathways in mathematics secure employment. Through the institute, Holowinsky has helped more than 5,000 doctoral graduates find positions across academia, industry and government.

On the symposium’s second day, Petter Kolm, clinical professor of mathematics at New York University in New York City, will present “AI/ML in Systematic Investment Management” from 9:30-10 a.m. His research focuses on quantitative trading strategies, risk management, and systematic investment strategies used to determine investment values and execute trades using computers while minimizing the risk of significant losses.

Kolm will also teach a mini-course on Saturday afternoon, titled “Modern Portfolio Construction: Foundations, Practical Methods, and New Results,” from 2-4:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Love Building.

FSU alumnus Derar Islim, chief operating officer of Antalpha Platform Holding Company and its chief executive officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will present “The Economics of Bitcoin Mining: Exploring Incentives, Costs, and the Future of Cryptocurrency Mining” Saturday from 10:10-10:40 a.m. Islim earned a doctorate in financial mathematics from FSU in 2014 and has since held executive leadership roles across the financial industry and several cryptocurrency platforms.

John Emanuello, another FSU alumnus and a researcher at the National Security Agency’s Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research, will present “Proofs, Protocols, and Possibilities: Exploring the Math at the Crossroads of AI and Cybersecurity” Saturday from 11:15-11:45 a.m. Emanuello earned a doctorate in pure mathematics from FSU in 2015, and his work applies artificial intelligence to cybersecurity challenges, such as predicting cyberattacks and protecting sensitive data from theft.

“This year’s symposium stands out because it brings together nationally recognized academic leaders alongside successful FSU alumni working in finance and national security,” Ökten said. “The speakers were selected to represent common career paths for our students and provide insight from national security, finance, and other organizations that prepare mathematicians for industry work.”

A jobs panel will conclude the event Saturday from 12-12:30 p.m. and will host local and national companies to network with students, set up internships and provide potential employment offers. For the Department of Mathematics, the symposium is also an opportunity to strengthen its industry relationships through alumni engagement and partnerships.

“By running this event annually, we create sustained engagement with alumni and industry professionals and provide students with consistent exposure to real-world applications of mathematics,” Ökten said. “I hope students gain a clearer understanding of the range of industry careers available to mathematicians and practical advice for transitioning from graduate school to industry.”

For more information about this year’s Math in Industry Symposium, visit math.fsu.edu/math-in-industry-symposium/2026.