Peter Alspaugh
Tagline:Undergraduate math student at the University of South Florida
Tampa, FL, USA
About Me
While I'm currently a student at the University of South Florida, I am originally from the Longmont and Boulder area of Colorado. Since May 2024, I've been conducting research with the USF Knot Theory group, where I am interested in algebraic automata theory. My current project revolves around splicing languages, which model DNA recombination.
In March 2025, I was awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship as one of 441 selected scholars–20 of whom were from the Mathematical Sciences. Since April 2024, I have been President of the Florida Epsilon chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon at USF.
Below is a list of my papers and selected awards, work experiences, and conference presentations. For a full list, see my CV at the bottom.
Education
Bachelor of Arts
from: 2022, until: presentField of study:MathematicsSchool:University of South FloridaLocation:Tampa, FL
Description- Pure Math Concentration
- GPA 3.98 Overall, 4.0 at USF
Research Interests
- Semigroup Theory
- Algebraic Automata Theory
- Profinite Semigroups
- Rewriting Systems & the Word Problem
Publications, Preprints, and Other Work
Structures of Monoids Motivated by DNA Origami
Journal ArticlePublisher:Recommended for publication with minor revisions at Semigroup ForumDate:2025Authors:Peter AlspaughJames GarrettNatasa JonoskaMasahico Saito
Honors & Awards
Nominated by University of South Florida for Churchill Scholarship
date: 2025-05-07USF Pi Mu Epsilon Outstanding Scholar Award
date: 2025-05-02Issuer:Pi Mu Epsilon and University of South Florida Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Inducted to Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi
date: 2025-04-25Issuer:USF Phi Beta Kappa
Description:PBK is the nation’s oldest honor society and focuses on the liberal arts and sciences.
Sigma Xi is the national research honor society.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
date: 2025-03-28Issuer:Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Foundation
Description:Established in 1989 to memorialize longtime Arizona senator and 1968 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, the Barry M. Goldwater scholarship is often cited as the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate STEM award.
Work Experiences
Student/Research Assistant
from: 2024, until: presentOrganization:University of South FloridaLocation:Tampa, FL
Description:- USF Knot Theory Group
- Position title changes but work stays the same
Associate Editor
from: 2024, until: presentOrganization:American Journal of Graduate Mathematics
Description:- Revamped the Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling to be AJPAM.
- Journal focused on advanced undergraduate and graduate student publications, though all researchers are welcome to submit.
Conferences
Structures of Monoids Motivated by DNA Origami
Date: Apr 2025
Event name: Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology Final Annual Symposium .Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA .
Description:Poster.
Structures of Monoids Motivated by DNA Origami
Date: Feb 2025
Event name: MAA Florida Chapter Annual Meeting .Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL .
Description:20 minute talk.