Paul A. Carr
19728A 13th Dr SE
Bothell, WA 98012
paul@eigenspace.net (preferred contact)
www.eigenspace.net

Objective:
I am seeking a full-time position in the programming world that allows me to apply my advanced capabilities in the overlapping fields of Mathematics and Computer Science, and to contribute to solutions to novel and interesting problems.

Education
Western Washington University

• 2003-2005: Master of Science in Mathematics, 3.86/4.00 GPA
• 1998-2003: Bachelor of Science, cum Laude, with majors in Computer Science and Mathematics

Masters Project: "Cryptography: Mathematics Trumps Black Magic" (http://www.eigenspace.net/cryptography/).
Project Description: Undertook and completed a year-long research project on the underlying mathematics involved in the design of substitution boxes in symmetric-key block ciphers.

• Particular focus on Rijndael, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
• Developed a comprehensive understanding of the use of Abstract Algebra (particularly Galois Fields) in effectively modeling the components of block ciphers.
• Demonstrated proofs of the security of certain classes of functions against Differential and Linear Cryptanalysis.
• Developed programs in C++ and Matlab to test and demonstrate various properties of the underlying mathematics.
• Completed an academic defense of the topic against a faculty panel, a presentation to peers, and a comprehensive paper on the topic.

Undergraduate Senior Project in Computer Science: "CS Senior Survey"
Project Description: Developed a web-based replacement for the paper-driven Computer Science department Senior Survey of outgoing students.

• Built a PHP-driven set of webpages to take, and administer, the survey, with a MySQL database backend.
• Completed in 2003, still in use by the department currently.

Personal Project: "BigInt" and "BigFloat"
Project Description: Develop C++ implementations of infinite- and arbitrary-precision number classes.

• Emphasis on memory- and time-efficiency.
• Developed with an eye to cryptographic and advanced math applications.
• Ongoing project as free time allows, from August 2002 to present.

Academic Contributions

• Teaching Assistant from 2003-2005: taught 100-level math courses, including algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus, and calculus.
  • Responsibilities included all lectures, testing, and grading, typically for 30-35 students, using the syllabus and exams provided by a lead instructor.
• Mathematics Fellow from 2000-2003: tutored calculus and above and assisted with student research at WWU's Math Center.

Honors and Awards

• WWU Department of Mathematics Richard Greene Academic Award (awarded to top academic performer of each gender) 2005
• WWU Department of Mathematics Elias Bond Graduate Fellowship (awarded on the basis of academic merit) 2003 and 2004

Special Training

• Modern C++ programming: standard template library (STL), generic programming, design patterns
• Network Security and Applied Cryptography
• Numerical Analysis and Computation, four courses
• Formal Language and Automata, two courses
• Linear Algebra, five courses

Technical Proficiencies

• C++, advanced capabilities
• Experience with C, Matlab, Java, Assembly, PHP, ASP, HTML, and LaTeX
• System/Network administration experience with mixed Linux (Redhat, Fedora) and Windows (95, 98, 2k, XP) systems, small scale (5-10 machines, home network)

• Computer Algebra Systems
• Cryptography
• Numerical algorithms
• Complexity analysis
• Neural networks
• Bad math jokes

Extracurricular Activities

• Vice President, Gravity & Chaos, winner of 2004 WWU Departmental Club of the Year
• Member, Math Club
• General computer technical support for family, friends, and neighbors...

Q: What did Pythagoras say when he was confronted by the square root of 2?
A: "Now there has to be a rational explanation for this..."