It is difficult to say when my passion for mathematics was first kindled. I have liked doing number problems and logic puzzles for as long as I can recall: one of my earliest memories is of using toothpicks to guide a brave mouse across shark-infested waters to steal the king’s cheese (a challenge found in The Puzzle Book, which I owned when I was younger). My interest was further strengthened by participation in math competitions and a math club organized by Professor Ron Ji at IUPUI.