Lucas Ortengren

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Sep 2022 – May 2026 · GPA 3.71 / 4.00

• B.S. in Applied Math, Engineering, and Physics (AMEP)
• Additional majors in Mathematics and Physics
• Certificate in Computer Science

Cersonsky Group — UW–Madison

Sep 2023 – Present

• Co-authored AniSOAP: Machine Learning Representations for Coarse-grained and Non-spherical Systems, published in the Journal of Open Source Software.
• Worked as one of five team members developing AniSOAP, a novel machine learning representation for chemical environments.
• Developed a custom Monte Carlo simulation engine to compare the performance of an AniSOAP MLP with the Gay–Berne potential.
• Presented original research on the global structural patterns of molecular crystals at two poster sessions.

Madison Experimental Mathematics Lab — UW–Madison

Sep 2023 – Dec 2023

• Worked in a team of four undergraduates to design and implement an algorithm for determining the Heesch number of polykites.
• Computed the Heesch number of every n-kite up to n = 7.
• Co-authored a detailed report on the methods and findings.
• Designed a research poster and delivered a presentation to an audience of over 100 UW–Madison faculty and students.

Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Scholarship

UW–Madison · Aug 2023

Awarded by the NEEP Department for academic achievement and research experience.

Undergraduate Scholarship for Summer Study

UW–Madison · April 2023

Awarded based on academic achievement and an essay explaining my desire to enroll in summer classes.

National Merit Scholarship

NMSC · March 2022

One of 15,000 finalists selected from 1.3 million applicants. Received an additional scholarship sponsored by Mead Witter, Inc.

Kemper K. Knapp Rural Scholarship

UW–Madison · Aug 2022

Recognized as a high-achieving student from rural Wisconsin.

Directed Reading Program — UW–Madison

Jan 2026 – April 2026

• Studied the statement and proof of the Baire Category Theorem.
• Applied the theorem to various problems in analysis, including a proof of the existence of Besicovitch sets.

Directed Reading Program — UW–Madison

Jan 2025 – April 2025

• Read Topology from the Differentiable Viewpoint by John Milnor in its entirety.
• Met regularly with a graduate mentor and another undergraduate to discuss the text, solve exercises, and explore topics in differential and algebraic topology.

Geospatial Engineering Intern — Millennium Geospatial

Madison, WI · Sep 2022 – Aug 2023

• Used Python, Pandas, and Microsoft Excel to redesign data processing and record-keeping workflows.
• Assisted in the design and planning of four fiber-optic (FTTH) networks.
• Used Python integration with ArcGIS to develop efficient geospatial data analysis workflows.
• Devised a process and format for the documentation of telecommunication networks.