I am Molena working in GPU-Accelerated Computing working in Parallel Computing working in Scientific Computing working in High Performance Computing working in Data Science

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🌿 Welcome to my website 🖐️


• I am Molena. I am a Fifth-year Ph.D. Student in Applied Mathematics. I am genuinely passionate about Artificial Intelligence (in specific, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning), Computational Biology (in specific, Metric Learning, Data Integration, Trajectory Inference, Dimensionality Reduction for Spatial Transcriptomics, Single–cell Transcriptomics, Single–cell Multi–omics Data), and GPU–Accelerated Computing (in specific, Quantum Programming, Graph–based Parallel Computing, Parallel Computing, High–Performance Computing, Parallel Direct Solvers, and Parallel Iterative Solvers).
• I was a full–time Intern in Software QA, Deep Learning onsite at the NVIDIA Headquarters (Santa Clara, California) from May 2024 to August 2024.

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

🔬 Research Experience


• Earlier, I received two National Science Foundation Funded Ph.D. Research Internships to work in two different lab rotations. During these two internships, I learned how to utilize the High–Performance Computing clusters, and the GPUs to solve problems in different fields, from Computational Biology, to Computer Science, Electrical, and Computer Engineering.

📚 Publications and Conferences


• I was fortunate to be given the opportunities to present my single–author paper titled “Take-Away Impartial Combinatorial Games on Hypergraphs and Other Related Geometric and Discrete Structures” (DOI: 10.48550/ARXIV.2203.09696) at six different SIAM conferences.

• During the Spring semester of 2022, I presented my research at the SIAM Conference on Parallel Processing for Scientific Computing (PP22), the SIAM Conference on Uncertainty Quantification (UQ22), and the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM22). During the Fall semester of 2021, I presented my research at the Young Mathematicians Conference (YMC21), the SIAM Southeastern Atlantic Section Annual Meeting (SEAS21), and the Annual SIAM Central States Section Conference (CSS21).

⌛️ Outreach Activities


• Regarding my future career pursuit, I am interested in contributing to collaborative efforts that harness the power of GPUs for scientific and computational advancements.

• Regarding my leadership role, I have been a representative (as a Webmaster) for the Society of Industrial Applied Mathematics (SIAM) at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Student Chapter since the Fall semester of 2022. In January of 2022, I was a project mentor at the "Tenth Annual Conference to Increase Diversity in Mathematical Modeling and Public Health" (2022 MIDAS-CCDD), which was hosted by the MIDAS Coordination Center in cooperation with the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics (CCDD) at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. In October of 2021, I was a conference moderator at the Graduates Achieving Inclusion Now (GAIN) Conference on measuring graduate students' success, allyship, and mentorship.

A sample of 8 out of 85 Coding Projects

                            
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Shapes Assistant

This is a CNN project called "Shapes_Assistant". It is a program generating random shapes (with or without noise), and exporting .png or .jpeg files. This program also includes a Convolutional Neural Network (ConvNet/CNN), which is a Deep Learning algorithm, and it takes input as images of shapes (from triangles up to decagons) then categorizes the images into the correct labels (of the shapes). 
[Tensorflow, Keras, Pandas, Python, and JupyterNotebook]

English as a Second Language Assistant

This is a 24-hour Hackathon deep learning website helping ESL students. T. H. Molena was one of four members of the team. English as A Second Language Assistant uses image captioning method to generate caption based on picture to help people learn English with textual description and voice. 
[Python, Tensorflow, Numpy, Flicker8 dataset, Tensorflow.js, Javascript, HTML, CSS, and UI application.]

Encrypting and Decrypting

This is a data analytics project encrypting & decrypting passwords. This program is written mainly in Python, and it helps with ciphers, encrypting, and decrypting. 
[Python]

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Translation of Nucleotides

This is a data analytics project determining an amino acid sequence. The program helps translating nucleotides by the given DNA sequence and it shows how computer science can help students in introductory courses related to DNA and nucleotides. 
[Python]

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Hypergraph Combinatorial Game Theory

This is a data analytics project on Nimbers on Hypergraphs. This program is used for analyzing the Winning Strategy in all Combinatorial Games (Impartial Games) playing on a specific Discrete Structure called Hypergraph. The Winning Strategy is analyzed by all of the Nim values of all positions. 
[Python, Jupyter Notebook, Pandas]

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Riemann Sum and Definite Integrals

This is a data visualization project helping Calculus students. This program is an educational tool helping the students having a smooth transition into Calculus II (from Calculus I or any lower-level Math class). The program describes the relation between Riemann Sum (both right-handed sum and left-handed sum) and the integral (specifically the definite integral). Students (or educators) will have a chance to input different value of n (which means different numbers of rectangles) and see the difference Students (or educators) will have a chance to input different values of n (which means different numbers of rectangles) and see the difference.
[Python]

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Matrix Transformation

This is a data analytics and data visualization project implementing matrices for PPM-P3 files. There is a module for loading and displaying PPM-P3 files by implementing Python. This program can also use matrices to change the picture from color to grayscale, flip the image on the horizontal axis, rotate the image clockwise 90 degrees, and contrast each pixel of the photo to meet the users' need.
[Python]

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Prescription Tracker

This is a 24-hour Revolution-UC Hackathon mobile app tracking prescription. The team had 4 members and T. H. Molena was the leader. This app has an interface for the doctor and another interface for the user. Both login using the same application with an option for the doctor to log in as a doctor and the patient as a patient on the startup page. 
[Android Studio, Python, Java, Firebase, Parse, REST APIs, Android SDK.]

Experience


Mathematics Graduate Assistantship

North Carolina State University

Aug 2021 - ongoing

Research Experience:
• High-Performance Matrix Factorization and Solvers on GPU–Accelerated Computers, with applications in Machine Learning, Mathematical Physics, and Engineering.

National Science Foundation Funded Ph.D. Summer Research Internship

North Carolina State University

May 2022 - August 2023

• Earlier, I received two National Science Foundation Funded Ph.D. Research Internships to work in two different lab rotations. During these two internships, I learned how to utilize the High Performance Computing clusters, and the GPUs to solve problems in different fields, from Computational Biology, to Computer Science, Electrical, and Computer Engineering.

Software Engineer

85 repositories on Github

Aug 2018 - Aug 2021

• 85 open-source projects in the fields of data science, deep learning, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and Mathematics on Github.
• Used Python Flask, Open CV, and Tensorflow in Python, machine learning, Java, Javascript, HTML, CSS, and Android Studio to make phone apps and websites.
• Represented Berea College in several different hackathons in the US.
• Attended 4 Hackathons and competitions. Projects completed: Data Analytics project with R, SPSS, SAS, and Python at the American Statistical Association Data Fest 2019, Deep learning and machine learning with English as a Second Language at the 24-hour hackathon DerbyHacks4, Prescription Tracker Mobile App at the RevolutionUC 2020.
View CODING PORTFOLIO

Mathematics Undergraduate Summer Research Internship

graduating Mathematics Capstone at Berea College

May 2020 - Aug 2020

• Conduct an independent mathematics research titled “Takeaway impartial combinatorial games on different geometric and discrete structures” under the supervision of Dr. Kristen Barnard (Mathematics Assistant Professor at Berea College.)
• Research fields: Combinatorial Game Theory and Graph Theory.
• Create 3 new Combinatorial Games (impartial games) playing on all kinds of right regular pyramids and one new Discrete Structure.
• Write all Original Theorems (with Complete Mathematical Proofs) analyzing the Winning Strategy for each new game.
• Use independent and creative thinking to approach mathematical problems. 

View RESEARCH PAPER

Mathematics Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Berea College

Aug 2019 - May 2021

• In-class Teaching Assistant for Fundamental Concepts of Math, and Probability.
• Assist weekly 30+ students in Math Lab by going through math problems in detail in Real Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Combinatorics, Abstract Algebra, Fundamental Concepts of Math, Probability, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Trigonometry with Applications, Discrete Math, Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Statistics, and College Algebra with Modeling.
• Make answer keys, grade daily homework assignments and provide constructive feedback for students in Fundamental Concepts of Math, Probability, Linear Algebra, and Trigonometry with Applications. 

Computer Science Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Berea College

Aug 2019 - May 2021

• In-class Teaching Assistant for Management Information Systems, Visual Basic for Applications programming, Excel, and Access.
• Assist 50+ students in Computer Science and Business Lab with Management Information Systems, Visual Basic for Applications programming, Excel, and Access.
• Make answer keys and grade all final exams, mid-term exams, in-class assignments, and homework for 50+ students. 

IT Technician Tier 2

Berea College Information Systems & Services

Jan 2019 - Aug 2021

• Jan 2019 - May 2021: Help Desk Technician, Classroom Maintenance.
• Troubleshoot computer, email, phone connectivity, software, and hardware issues for 1600+ college students and 130+ faculty/staff members.
• Maintained classroom and office technology in 40+ buildings on campus.
• Handled phone calls from users having issues with their accounts offering simple and feasible solutions.
• Worked in an event giving Dell laptops to 300+ freshmen at Berea College. 

Website Developer & Student Manager (Sales II)

Berea College Log House Craft Gallery

School break (Spring break/ Winter break/ Christmas break) during Nov 2018 - Mar 2020

• November 2018 - December 2018: Cashier, Log house Tour Guide, Sales Associate I.
• December 2018 - March 2020: Website Developer, Student Manager, Sales Associate II, Cashier. 

Adobe Campus Ambassador

Berea College

Jan 2019 - May 2019

• Conducted 3 on-campus workshops/semester on Adobe products.
• Increased the mass download of Adobe products by 60+ students and built partnerships with 4+ on-campus organizations which benefit from Adobe training. 

Education


Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)

Aug 2021 - ongoing

Research Experience:
• High-Performance Matrix Factorization and Solvers on GPU–Accelerated Computers, with applications in Machine Learning, Mathematical Physics, and Engineering.

Master of Science in Applied Mathematics

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)

Aug 2021 - May 2023

Relevant Courses: Matrix Applications, Matrix Theory, Numerical Analysis, Inverse Problems, Uncertainty Quantification, Complex Variables, Abstract Algebra I, Abstract Algebra II, Linear Algebra, Lie Algebra, Biomathematics I, Probability and Stochastic Processes I . 

Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics (Computer Science minor)

Berea College (Berea, Lexington-Louisville Area, Kentucky, USA)

Aug 2018 - Aug 2021

Relevant Courses: 2 semesters of Abstract Algebra, 2 semesters of Real Analysis, 1 semester in each of the following: Numerical Analysis, Combinatorics, Differential Equations, Statistics, Probability, Linear Algebra, Geometry, Calculus III, Computational Intelligence, Data Structures, Organic Chemistry, Accelerated General Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Scientific Origins, Management Information Systems , Software Design & Implement, and Business Applications & Programming.

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Skills

Programming languages

Python, R, MATLAB, Julia, C++, Java, JavaScript. 

Data Analytics/Databases

SQL, SAS, SASS, PowerBI, Scala, Hadoop. 

Mobile Development and Web Technologies

Java, Firebase, Parse, REST APIs, 
XML, Android SDK, Javascript, HTML, CSS, JSON, Ruby, Flask, Django, React Native. 

Full-stack Development

Python, Flask, Django, JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, HTML, CSS, APIs, MySQL, MongoDB, Mongoose, Firebase, Cloud Firestore. 

Research and Teaching Experience

Independent Undergraduate Mathematics Researcher, Doctoral Supervised Research, Doctoral Supervised Teaching. 

Frameworks/ Libraries

Python on GPU (CuPy, cuDF, PyCUDA, Numba), NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit–Learn, Cython, CUDA, NetworkX, Pandas, Seaborn, Matplotlib.