By: Maris Weiss, Keystone volunteer
What do applied mathematics, planktonic ecosystems, and calculus have in common?
Answer: Scholarship recipient Matt Kloosterman.
Matt came to the University of Waterloo in 2010 to pursue a Master of Applied Mathematics degree. He is now working toward his PhD, researching planktonic ecosystems using mathematical equations.
When asked why he chose Waterloo, Matt replied, "The University of Waterloo has a fantastic applied mathematics program." Living near family was an added bonus that sealed the deal for him.
Matt is proud to be this year’s recipient of the University of Waterloo Retirees’ Graduate Scholarship. Supported by retired staff and faculty, the award is presented annually to an outstanding graduate student from any faculty. Awards such as these are made possible by donations to the Keystone Campaign donors, allowing current students to receive financial assistance to help them along in their studies.
“Scholarships allow students to focus on long-term goals, rather than having to worry about the immediate future,” said Matt.
Matt lives a quiet life and enjoys focusing on his academic studies. This term, he is teaching Calculus 1 for science students. He finds it rewarding to be able to share with his students the knowledge he has gained over the years. "Math can be a difficult subject, so it’s a great feeling to witness that moment when it just clicks for a student, when they finally get something they’ve found to be confusing!”
Good luck with your research endeavors, Matt!
