Liliaokeawawa (Lily) Cothren
Hello
Lily is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder under the supervision of Professor Liz Bradley and Professor Raissa D’Souza, funded by the NSF GRFP. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Honors in May 2021 from Arizona State University. Her research interests include control theory, catastrophe theory, and nonlinear dynamics.
Download my CV as a PDF.
Experience
Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Bradley
University of Colorado, Boulder
Responsibilities include:
- Build core background in nonlinear systems theory to analyze and understand dynamics exhibiting catastrophic behavior.
- Verify theoretical findings with numerical simulations in Python.
- Apply theoretical concepts to relevant applications, including examples in ecology, economics, or social systems.
Graduate Teaching Assistant for ECEN 3300 Linear Systems
University of Colorado, Boulder
Provided course support by:
- Topics include analysis of LTI systems in time and frequency domains and applications of linear systems, including communications, signal processing, and controls.
- Responsible for scripting and delivering regular review sessions, exam review sessions, hosting office hours, and writing/grading homework and exams.
Math Instructor at the MATH LAB
Front Range Community College
Instruct and assist in answering questions for all math courses offered, including:
- Clinical Calculations,
- Math for Education,
- Liberal Arts Math,
- Statistics,
- College Algebra,
- Survey of Calculus,
- Trigonometry,
- Pre-calculus,
- Calculus I,
- Calculus II,
- Calculus III,
- Differential Equations,
- Linear Algebra.
Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Emiliano Dall’Anese
University of Colorado, Boulder
Responsibilities include:
- Tackle problems within data-driven control and concurrent learning via theoretical and algorithmic development,
- Verify theoretical findings with numerical simulations in MATLAB or Python.
Graduate Learning Assistant
University of Colorado, Boulder
Served for Linear Systems course and Online Convex Optimization. Responsible for:
* Organizing supplies,
* Assisting students in projects,
* Writing and presenting homework and exam review sessions,
* Proctoring exams.
Lead Mathematics Tutor at the ASU Fulton Schools of Engineering Tutoring Centers
Arizona State University
Instruct and tutor undergraduate students in:
- Industrial engineering,
- Probability,
- Statistics,
- Calculus,
- Linear algebra,
- Differential equations.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Arizona State University
Served for Introduction to Engineering course and Probability and Statistics for Engineers. Responsible for:
- Organizing supplies,
- Assisting students in projects,
- writing and presenting homework and exam review sessions,
- Proctoring exams.
Industrial Engineering Intern
United Parcel Service (UPS)
Collaborate on multi-discplinary team to plan for holiday season with responsibilies of:
- Discussions with managers and plant and industrial engineers,
- Draft accurate and updated building layout and plot plans for 90 facilities.
Education
PhD Electrical Engineering
University of Colorado Boulder
MS Electrical Engineering
University of Colorado Boulder
BS Mathematics, with Honors
Arizona State University
- Honors thesis on optimal foraging theory
Accomplishments
Dynamics Days 2026 Travel Grant
Dynamics Days 2026 Best Poster Award
Editor’s Pick
NSF ACCESS Allocations – Explore Level
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Certificate of Attendance
Dean’s Future Leadership Fellowship
Graduate School Diversity Recruitment Fellowship
Excellence Fellowship
Department of Electrical Engineering Travel Grant
2022-01-01
Predoctoral Math Alliance Scholar
Promising students from underrepresented communities in the mathematical sciences who aim to pursue mathematical and statistical science graduate programs participate in numerous professional and networking opportunities with highly regarded faculty at participating universities.
Tutor of the Month
Outstanding Junior for Wexler Students Award
Outstanding students and selected faculty are celebrated for their continued encouragement and participation of the exchange of knowledge and ideas outside the classroom.
Dean’s List
Dean’s List
Conference, Symposium, and Workshop Participation
Santa Fe Institute Complex Systems Summer School
Critical Dialogic Pedagogy, DEI-Informed Dialogic Pedagogy Microcredential
Research Communication and Presentation Badge
Foundations in High-Performance Computing Microcredential
Attendee
Attendee
Graduate Peer Mentoring Badge
Service and Outreach
Attendee
Tutor for High School Equivalency Test Preparation Classes
Mentor
Graduate Peer Mentor
Fellow of Dean’s Future Leadership Fellowship
Member
Member
Counselor
Member
Panelist
Member