Sarah Downs

sdowns@ucmerced.edu

Education

Ph.D– University of California, Merced (August 2020 - May 2025)

Doctoral student in Applied Mathematics
Focus of interest in the fields of machine learninig, neural networks, optimization, and fluid dynamics
GPA: 3.77

B.S.– University of California, Merced (August 2016 - May 2020)

Major in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Computational and Data Sciences
Graduational Honors; Chancellors Honor List for 2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 academic years
Research: A Statistical Analysis of African Soils with Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
MACES Fellow (NASA fellowship) from September 2018 - May 2019
DESCARTES Scholar (NSF Program) during the summers of 2017, 2018, and 2019
GPA: 3.494

Intern, Wright State University (May 2021 - August 2021)

Contracted to Air Force Research Labs, worked directly with mentor at Wright Patterson Air Force base
Worked to apply hierarchical classification methods
Performed a comprehensive literature review relating to hierarchical learning and classification
Implemented various neural network models
Applied Technical Skills: Python, MATLAB

Research Intern, UC Irvine (June 2020 - August 2020)

Intern with the Center for Ecosystem Climate Solutions
Implemented machine learning algorithms with the goal of classifying forest disturbance given space-borne lidar data
Models created included logistic regression, random forests, support vector machines, and supervised neural networks
Applied Technical Skills: Python, GIS, Google Earth Engine

Deep Learning Intern, Inteel Corporation (May 2019 - August 2019)

Worked on a project relating to the Intel Nervana Neural Network Processor
Created a telemetry device to display how well the processor could perform when running different machine learning workloads
Learned about deep learning tools, methods, and techniques
Applied Technical Skills: C++, Python

House Fellow, UC Merced Living Learning Communities (August 2021 - May 2022)

Instructor of Record for two sections of a one-unit first year seminar for the Vaughan House Living Learning Community (LLC)
Class focused on technology and applications to various STEM fields, as well as general college success
Participated in teaching, mentoring, and intervention workshops hosted by the LLC Coordinator
Communicated regularly with the LLC Coordinator, Assistant Director of Residence Education, and Residence Life Coordinator to address LLC progress and concerns

Teaching Assistant, UC Merced Department of Applied Math (August 2020 - May 2021)

DOD Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship

Paired with National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) in Springfield, VA
Provides full funding for graduate studies, as well as summer internships and a job upon graduation

Poster Presentation at AGU Fall Meeting 2020

Utilizing GEDI data to classify and characterize forest disturbance in California