2024-Maksym Turkot

Maksym Turkot

Major: Computer Science

Minor: Physics

GPA: 3.86

THESIS TOPIC

General Principles of Differential Equations and Agent-Based Notch Signaling Models

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Traveling thousands of miles to a different country, all by myself, was the most terrifying experience, especially during the year when everyone was hiding their face behind a mask. Crossing the Atlantic to pursue my dreams was an intimidating task. However, I remembered the one who did it long before me. Lafayette.

The moment I stepped on College Hill, I was amazed by this country and its people. The unmatched generosity of the community has driven me to contribute to this vibrant life while achieving academic excellence. I immediately joined the International Student Association and Dyer Center to collaborate with resolved students and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Meeting cultures I had never seen before and performing at the highest rate was difficult. However, I remembered the one who gainedglory far from his home. Lafayette.

Then, the war began. My mom messaged me, “It will be okay,” after Russian missiles struck buildings in my hometown. I could not focus. Being cut off from home, continuing my studies felt impossible. However, I remembered the one who pursued his mission regardless of the circumstances, a young man who was true to his convictions. Lafayette.

It is not just the name of a man or a college. It is a spirit, an ideal. The heart of a foreigner who stepped up and brought guns and ships to a young nation across the Atlantic, fighting for freedom and democracy against a colonizing superpower. This is precisely what we did. When I organized a fundraiser for the pressing needs of Ukraine, the College community answered in a heartbeat, supporting my country financially and spiritually.

After my four years here, I say with confidence that the spirit of Lafayette is burning within me, as it does within every Lafayette community member.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

Senior Thesis- 1 year

How do we simulate life? How can we correctly and efficiently model hundreds of cells and thousands of interactions between them? Differential equations (DE) and agent-based (AB) modeling are fundamentally different and competitive approaches to cellular simulations. While the former method has an explicit theoretical background, the mathematical underpinnings of the latter remain obscure. Differential equation systems remain the preferred way of setting up simulations. However, agent-based models provide a highly empirical approach to data that cannot be accounted for in aggregate equation systems. Under the supervision of Professor Jeffrey Pfaffmann, I attempt to deliver general principles of agent-based simulations that can be applied to any domain, regardless of the problem at hand or system specifications. I will continue developing these principles in my PhD work. They will make agentization process better understood and boost the research in many areas, including cancer cell growth and protein folding studies.

James P. Schwar Prize in Computer Science- 1

Awarded annually to a deserving computer science student, achieving the highest grade point average upon completing the intermediate course sequence, in honor of James P. Schwar, Professor of Computer Science from 1962-2000.

Christa & Walter Oechsle ’57 Scholarship- 4 years

A competitive need-based scholarship awarded to an international student for outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. The generosity of Lafayette’s donors has made my dream of studying at one of the best institutions in the US a reality, for which I aminfinitely grateful.

International Collegiate Programming Contest- 1

In 2023, I represented Lafayette College in the contest’s Division I Mid-Atlantic/South U.S. stage. Working in a team of three, we designed and implemented solutions to complex computational problems in a marathon-like task setting. Thanks to the excellent coordination of our team, we placed in the top 100 contenders across both regions.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon CS Honor Society, President- 1 year

The society recognizes the academic excellence of Computer Science students at Lafayette and promotes high scholarship and original investigations in the Computing and Information Disciplines.

CS Teaching Assistant and Mentored Study Group Leader- 0.5 year

I led a study group for an introductory computer science course. Twice a week, I helped students with homework and lab assignments, helped fix code errors, answered conceptual questions, and held exam recitations. In addition, I attended class lectures and assisted Professor Justin Smith in answering individual student questions during studio sessions. While teaching students, I have learned a lot myself. This terrific experience has taught me that understanding the context is as important as knowing the details of a topic or system and that collaboration is an excellent way to boost the educational process.

EXCEL Research Scholar- 3 years

In the spring of my sophomore year, my interest in simulations drew me to work as a research assistant analyzing lateral inhibition in biological cells. The task of bringing understanding to the system’s structure, its reliance on the set of initial conditions, and its dynamic behavior was intensely interesting. Still, it led to as many questions as answers. By the end of junior year, a completely different paradigm drew my attention — agent-based modeling. Detailed and randomized agent systems are much more complex and require different thinking and approaches to the problem. The question of how one can build such systems systematically fascinates me. It has led me to pursue an honors thesis about understanding the general principles of differential equations and agent-based simulation models and studying the stochasticity of these two approaches.

Dean’s List- 3 years

Awarded every semester to students achieving at least 3.60 with a full course load. I have received Dean’s List for 5 out of 7 semesters.

CAMPUS SERVICE ACTIVITY/AWARD

International Student Association, Member and Peer Captain- 4 years

I supervised a team of advisors and organized events for incoming freshmen during the international orientation week in 2023. It was absolutely amazing meeting so many great people and guiding new students through the complexities of studying abroad. I remember how difficult it was to overcome homesickness and adjust to my new home on College Hill and how much ISA helped me in my first year. I am so happy I could give back to the Lafayette community by helping and welcoming a new cohort of international friends.

Dyer Fellow- 2 years

Guided the Dyer Center and young Lafayette entrepreneurs through the process of using the Bubble web application development platform to meet their goals. I consulted students and staff on the system’s capabilities, back-end development challenges, and scalability.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Ukraine Global Scholars, Co-Mentor and Admissions Officer- 5 years

I became a scholar of UGS after being selected as one of 48 students from 500+ candidates across Ukraine in 2019. This non-profit organization has helped 190+ low- income Ukrainian students win over $50+ million in full scholarships at top global colleges and boarding schools. I have served as an admissions officer for two years, reviewing 40+ applications of prospective candidates and helping conduct admission tests for the Classes of 2020-2022. Since last year, I have served as a Co-Mentor, guiding Ukrainian students through the challenging process of admission to the US. The mission of UGS is to create a new generation of Ukrainians with world-class education who will return to rebuild their homeland after the terrors of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Lafayette Consulting Group, Lead- 2 years

Served as a Consulting Strategy Lead through my sophomore year, compiled training tools for new members, and established a standardized client approach framework. LCG is helping local businesses improve their revenue models and helps them better serve the Easton community.

United24 Fundraising- 1 year

I have organized fundraisers to collect donations for United24, the official and biggest fundraising platform of Ukraine. The funds were transferred to the country’s most pressing needs, including humanitarian defining, medical aid, defense, and rebuilding Ukraine. Last year, the Lafayette community collected more than $2,800 dollars, a terrific result that helped save many lives in my home country.

ATHLETIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

Tennis- 8 years

I have played tennis since high school and won second and third prizes in solo and pairs competitions. I continue playing it with my friends on the College Hill.

SPECIAL INTEREST/ACTIVITY AWARD

Marquis Players Cabaret Cast Member- 0.5 year

Playing Ernst Ludwig in the 2024 season of Marquis Players’ musical theatre play “Cabaret.” I feel an amazing spirit of camaraderie and responsibility, where everyone in our troupe has their role and works to deliver an outstanding performance.

Global Expressions: Writing Beyond the Mother Tongue, Author- 1 year

In my junior year, I published two papers in the online magazine that aims to recognize the multi-language writers at Lafayette College and develop intercultural communications within our community by showcasing the writings written by multi-language writers.