Our Alumni - Mathematics Department

Alena Crivello, B.A. 1999, Data Scientist, Chevron
Alena graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Mathematics, and additional honors including the Dean’s List, Senior Honors Award in Mathematics, and Phi Beta Kappa. She then completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in Statistics at Rice University, and did postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan, developing statistical methodology for a new clinical trial design, followed by two years of teaching undergraduate statistics classes. After working at a wind energy company doing financial modeling and market analysis, Alena found her current position as a Data Scientist in the Modeling and Analytics Center of Excellence at Chevron in Houston, Texas. She first started in the Health, Environment and Safety group there, developing predictive analytics to reduce the occurrence of incidents. Currently, Alena applies statistical methods to challenging problems across Chevron, including cybersecurity, reliability, and reservoir management. She also developed and is teaching an Introduction to Data Science course for all of Chevron. Alena's hobbies include sewing and traveling.

Alena Crivello, B.A. 1999, Data Scientist, Chevron

Alena graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Mathematics, and additional honors including the Dean’s List, Senior Honors Award in Mathematics, and Phi Beta Kappa. She then completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in Statistics at Rice University, and did postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan, developing statistical methodology for a new clinical trial design, followed by two years of teaching undergraduate statistics classes. After working at a wind energy company doing financial modeling and market analysis, Alena found her current position as a Data Scientist in the Modeling and Analytics Center of Excellence at Chevron in Houston, Texas. She first started in the Health, Environment and Safety group there, developing predictive analytics to reduce the occurrence of incidents. Currently, Alena applies statistical methods to challenging problems across Chevron, including cybersecurity, reliability, and reservoir management. She also developed and is teaching an Introduction to Data Science course for all of Chevron. Alena's hobbies include sewing and traveling.

Mark Promberger, B.A. 2015, Data Analyst II, General Motors Financial
Mark started working at GM Financial in the Las Colinas office in Irving, Texas immediately after graduating in 2015. He is a member of the reporting and analytics department where he creates dashboards for risk management and financial forecasting. While GM financial provides a large array of financial services, his office focuses on partnering with dealerships to ensure financials and vehicle inventory are properly maintained. Mark loves his work with GM in that it offers security in being the financial subsidiary of the larger General Motors company but maintains a startup feel on a day to day basis. He is currently applying for masters programs in data science. Mark states that the skills he learned while in the Math department at UD more than prepared him for both the corporate business world and graduate studies.

Mark Promberger, B.A. 2015, Data Analyst II, General Motors Financial

Mark started working at GM Financial in the Las Colinas office in Irving, Texas immediately after graduating in 2015. He is a member of the reporting and analytics department where he creates dashboards for risk management and financial forecasting. While GM financial provides a large array of financial services, his office focuses on partnering with dealerships to ensure financials and vehicle inventory are properly maintained. Mark loves his work with GM in that it offers security in being the financial subsidiary of the larger General Motors company but maintains a startup feel on a day to day basis. He is currently applying for masters programs in data science. Mark states that the skills he learned while in the Math department at UD more than prepared him for both the corporate business world and graduate studies.

Carol Gee, B.S. 1999, Math Professor/Dept. Chair, St. Edward's University
After Carol received her B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science, she enrolled in a Math Ph.D. program at Rice University in Houston studying low-dimensional topology. Her Ph.D. was awarded in 2004 and she then proceeded to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at U.C. Davis in 2006. Currently Carol is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and four children.

Carol Gee, B.S. 1999, Math Professor/Dept. Chair, St. Edward's University

After Carol received her B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science, she enrolled in a Math Ph.D. program at Rice University in Houston studying low-dimensional topology. Her Ph.D. was awarded in 2004 and she then proceeded to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at U.C. Davis in 2006. Currently Carol is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and four children.

Michael Humphries, B.A. 2005, Math Teacher, Cistercian Preparatory School
Michael earned his B.A. in both Math and Philosophy, and joined Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas right away upon graduation, teaching middle and high school students. Cistercian prepares talented boys for their future by 'combining academic excellence with Christian faith, morality, and spirituality'. While teaching, he earned his M.S. in Math at the University of Texas at Dallas. Michael and his wife, Rachel, also a UD graduate, are happy raising their five children together.

Michael Humphries, B.A. 2005, Math Teacher, Cistercian Preparatory School

Michael earned his B.A. in both Math and Philosophy, and joined Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas right away upon graduation, teaching middle and high school students. Cistercian prepares talented boys for their future by 'combining academic excellence with Christian faith, morality, and spirituality'. While teaching, he earned his M.S. in Math at the University of Texas at Dallas. Michael and his wife, Rachel, also a UD graduate, are happy raising their five children together.

Tristan Whalen, B.A. 2010, Senior Lecturer of Mathematics, UTD
Tristan was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1988 and he and his family have called Texas home since 2000. He was married in 2009 to his wife Grace, a graduate of Texas A&M University, and proceeeded to receive his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Houston in 2015. He currently teaches mathematics full time at the University of Texas at Dallas. Tristan and his wife are also involved in the Reasonable Faith chapter at UTD. Christian apologetics (reasoning, philosophy and evidence) are one of his chief passions. His other interests include classical music, Lego building, and all things Nintendo. Tristan shares that 'I would not go back and major in math anywhere else. The context of a classical curriculum brings math to life in a way not possible otherwise. My experience at UD daily influences how I teach math at a STEM-focused college, and by God's grace has made me a much better teacher.'

Tristan Whalen, B.A. 2010, Senior Lecturer of Mathematics, UTD

Tristan was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1988 and he and his family have called Texas home since 2000. He was married in 2009 to his wife Grace, a graduate of Texas A&M University, and proceeeded to receive his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Houston in 2015. He currently teaches mathematics full time at the University of Texas at Dallas. Tristan and his wife are also involved in the Reasonable Faith chapter at UTD. Christian apologetics (reasoning, philosophy and evidence) are one of his chief passions. His other interests include classical music, Lego building, and all things Nintendo. Tristan shares that 'I would not go back and major in math anywhere else. The context of a classical curriculum brings math to life in a way not possible otherwise. My experience at UD daily influences how I teach math at a STEM-focused college, and by God's grace has made me a much better teacher.'

Erika David, B.A. 2013, Pursuing Ph.D. in Mathematics Education
Erika graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in Mathematics and has since gone on to pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Arizona State University. While at ASU, she has taught Pre-Calculus and Calculus courses and participated in several research projects on undergraduate mathematics education. Currently, Erika is in the midst of her dissertation study, in which she is investigating students' understanding and use of graphs in Calculus contexts. Erika states that the strong background in mathematics coupled with the writing skills that she gained in her time at UD has undoubtedly helped her advance in her graduate studies. She plans to graduate in May of 2019 and hopes to continue teaching mathematics and mathematics education courses in a liberal arts setting.

Erika David, B.A. 2013, Pursuing Ph.D. in Mathematics Education

Erika graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in Mathematics and has since gone on to pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Arizona State University. While at ASU, she has taught Pre-Calculus and Calculus courses and participated in several research projects on undergraduate mathematics education. Currently, Erika is in the midst of her dissertation study, in which she is investigating students' understanding and use of graphs in Calculus contexts. Erika states that the strong background in mathematics coupled with the writing skills that she gained in her time at UD has undoubtedly helped her advance in her graduate studies. She plans to graduate in May of 2019 and hopes to continue teaching mathematics and mathematics education courses in a liberal arts setting.

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