College of Arts and Sciences

Mathematics and Catholic Studies Double Major Selected for Google Summer of Code 2020  

John MurzakuJohn Murzaku, a mathematics and Catholic studies double major was selected as a Google Summer of Code 2020 paid participant. Google Summer of Code is a prestigious and highly competitive Google sponsored program to fund open source projects for graduate and undergraduate students internationally. This year, there were 8,902 applications — submitted by 6,626 students from 121 countries. John is among the 1,199 students from 66 countries who were selected.

John will work as a student developer during the entire summer developing open source software for 52° North GmbH. John's project is titled Trajectory Analytics Toolbox. Dr. John Saccoman, Professor and Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science Department at Seton Hall University said: "I am not surprised at all. John has a great desire and work ethic. This, coupled with his excellent academic performance (besides the mathematics major, he is taking many computer science classes), affords him the ability not only to produce the necessary code for such a project, but also to understand the underlying mathematics."

John will be part of an international team of scholars from USA and Germany focusing on creating software that provides visualizations and statistical analysis of trajectory data. Trajectory data can include vehicular trajectories, boat trajectories, and airplane trajectories. At the end of summer, the project will turn into a product for open source use. John intends to create a community of future researchers and contributors interested in this project.

Seton Hall University Assistant Professor, Fr. Joseph R. Laracy, who teaches a very popular course on Creation and Science for Catholic Studies and co-teaches an integrative, multidisciplinary course on Logic and the Limits to Knowledge for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has this to say: "John Murzaku is an extremely talented student and I am delighted that he got accepted into Google Summer of Code 2020. His project to develop a general purpose analytics toolbox in R which will provide analysis of individual trajectories and collections of trajectories will no doubt be a significant contribution to the field. I am confident that this work is just the beginning of a fruitful research career for a gifted, hardworking young scholar."

We wish John many successes in his academic career. He makes all of us proud! For more on John's Google Summer of Code 2020 project »

About the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is located in South Orange, New Jersey, a charming village in close proximity to New York City. Being home to a vast range of industries, this area is one of the most attractive for computing, data and mathematics professionals. Students of the department are prepared to pursue careers and internships in areas as diverse as telecommunications, web design, news media, insurance, finance, education, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and many others. Recognizing the importance of international experience in today's workplace, the department offers a variety of study abroad opportunities. Many graduates of the department find employment in private industry and government. Others pursue careers in education and academia.

Our faculty conduct internationally recognized research and innovative, technologically enhanced instruction. Grounded in practical experience but exploring the frontiers of their disciplines, they define academic excellence.

About the Catholic Studies Program:
The Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University offers an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum for students of any creed who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Catholicism's rich intellectual tradition and living heritage. Combining the study of history, philosophy, theology, literature, art, sociology, and other disciplines, Catholic Studies focuses on the church's dialogue with culture and encounter with the world. Students interested in Catholic Studies have the option to pursue a major, minor, or certificate that complements and enhances the University's other degree programs and fields of study.

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