Emma Cinatl

Emma Cinatl has been working at Amazon for over 2.5 years as a full-stack Software Development Engineer, contributing design and implementation to both frontend and backend. Previously she graduated with a 4.0/4.0 GPA in her M.S. in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University.

Software Development Engineer – Full Stack

2019 - Present · Amazon

• Launched and designed access controls for financial reminders, a critical security feature for all our users, by scoping requirements and leading full-stack (Java, Typescript, Sass, React, Redux-Saga) implementation

• Removed 20 hours/week of oncall burden by designing and implementing a new full-stack feature, and leading conversations with the UX team, in order to replace a manual approval process with a self-service workflow

• Designed a clickstream service to provide financial web application metrics by soliciting use cases from Product and UX, gathering requirements, and documenting full-stack architecture options, leveraging AWS technologies

• Owned finance application’s contact book service, which is responsible for 10-15% of the application’s total traffic and houses data of Amazon’s highest security classification, by implementing the service (full-stack), adding service health metrics, and supporting team members and external teams using the service

Cryptography Research Intern

Summer 2017 and 2018 · Noblis

• Created and presented detailed technical reports on side-channel attacks to Department of Justice stakeholders

• Helped factor RSA 230 cheaply and quickly by exploring and troubleshooting alterations to code in Python

• Researched adapting a digital power analysis side-channel attack to a different type of side-channel attack, which required revitalizing legacy Python research code

• Led team of four interns by introducing Agile style task organization, teaching my team git, and clarifying the code base by explaining factoring algorithms rooted in graduate-level abstract algebra to team

Student Researcher (Research Experience for Undergraduates)

Summer 2015 · Kent State University Mathematics Department

• Implemented promising new lattice-based algebraic geometry algorithms in C++ and Mathematica

• Created and delivered weekly presentations on the project’s progress with other student researchers

Researcher (Student Researcher)

Summer 2014 · Grove City College Computer Science Department

• Converted images from raster to vector for use by a CNC router via spline-fitting and image feature detection techniques in C++, using Scrum to organize work with teammate

Intern

Summer 2013 · Applied Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University

• Implemented search algorithms for a ship navigation system by self-teaching Java and senior-level graph theory

Graduate Teacher of Record, Precalculus and Introductory Calculus

Fall 2018 · Clemson University

• Taught differentiation and precalculus, including functions, graphing, trigonometry, and limits.

• Improved course coverage, leading to greater student understanding, by delivering self-prepared lectures explaining material absent in the given textbook.

• Assisted in creating and proofreading tests.

Graduate Teacher of Record, Business Calculus II

Spring 2018 · Clemson University

• Taught integration and multivariate calculus, with applications in business, economics, and probability.

• Fulfilled course objectives through carefully designing assignments and providing feedback on them.

• Effectively engaged students by integrating lecture with active learning through student whiteboard activities, individual activities, student participation during lecture, and other group activities.

Graduate Teacher of Record, Business Calculus I

Fall 2017 · Clemson University

• Taught mathematical models and differentiation, with applications including marginal analysis.

• Motivated and assisted students with a variety of mathematical backgrounds and interests by creating an accepting and welcoming learning environment and developing rapport with my students.

• Increased struggling students’ understanding of the material by providing individual assistance.

Teaching Assistant and Tutoring Positions at Clemson University

Fall 2018 · Clemson University

• Teaching Assistant–Calculus I, College Algebra (August 2016 - May 2017): Effectively prioritized in order to provide personalized assistance and timely feedback to groups of students.

• Independent Mathematics Tutor–Calculus I (October 2016 - December 2016): Facilitated student’s progress by patiently explaining broad concepts and specific problem details.

Teaching Assistant, Tutoring, and Grading Positions at Grove City College

2013 - 2016 · Grove City College

• Grader–Finite Mathematics, Calculus, Precalculus (August 2015 - May 2016): Provided students with succinct and timely feedback to help them meet course objectives.

• Grader–Computer Programming II (C++) (Spring 2015): Helped students improve their correct but inefficient work by suggesting more elegant solutions.

• Teaching Assistant–Business Calculus (Fall 2014): Effectively assisted many students in a limited time period through efficient time organization.

• Independent Mathematics Tutor–Calculus I, II (Spring 2014): Furthered students’ confidence and mastery of the material by providing personalized training.

• Department Mathematics Tutor– Calculus I, II, III, Combinatorics, Finite Mathematics (2013 - 2016): Strengthened the mathematical mastery of students with and without technical backgrounds.

Quotes from My Students

2017 - 2018 · Clemson University

“Emma was so so so great! I loved her so much!! She is extremely kind, relatable, and overall a great teacher and communicator. She made difficult concepts easy to understand and she instilled confidence in place of doubt and uncertainty. Emma was one of the best professors I have ever had.”

“Emma was very, very good at putting things into common day language so you could understand it. “

“Math isn’t usually my thing but Emma helped to make it a breeze.”

“The instructor could not have been more personable or organized. She has been more than helpful and accessible.”

“The instructor was very organized and made it clear what we were expected to know and had a schedule for all of our due dates. She also gave us plenty of resources to ask questions and get help for the course.”

“I would highly recommend this instructor. She was friendly, helpful, responsive, personable, and very knowledgeable.”

“Emma is an awesome person and teacher. She was well organized, very smart and knows the material by heart.”

“Emma was a fantastic teacher. Super friendly, helpful, and understanding. Would help with even the smallest problems, and really wanted you to succeed, giving us many opportunities to do so.”

“Emma has been the best math teacher that I have had in a while. I have loved the one-on-one experience and in depth help with understanding topics as well as just having good conversation with Emma.”

“Emma was my favorite teacher.”

“Emma Cinatl was very helpful and understood where students were coming from whenever they had problems. As a busy graduate student, it was clear she was very busy working on other things, but despite this, she was more than willing to make time for the students in our class.”

“Emma is one of the best math teachers I have ever had. She gave up so much of her time to make sure we understood the material and never made us feel stupid about it. She made me feel so comfortable in class and I always get nervous in classes. Emma knew what she was talking about and tried so hard to help us all to succeed. She cared about what she was doing and cared about us so much that is showed everyday. Emma would be my first pick of a teacher for any class. I freaking love her.”

“I loved how Emma taught. She was fun and engaged with her students and really cared about how they were doing in the class. She really wanted to see us succeed.”

“*Instructor covered all topics necessary to do well on exams*Homework graded fairly and feedback helped to improve comprehension of course material”

“She made learning business calc so easy, and understandable. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.”

“Emma was very accessible. She walked through examples step by step. This is exactly what needs to be done in order to strengthen understanding of concepts.”

“Emma is a super friendly teacher. She is very clear when explaining things, and I like that she writes everything she says on the board. She is also very nice about answering questions and re-explaining things without making anyone feel stupid.”

M.S. in Mathematical Sciences, focus in Scientific Computing (GPA: 4.00/4.00)

2016 - 2018 • Clemson University

Thesis: Finite Element Discretizations for Linear Elasticity.

Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Data Analysis, Introduction to Scientific Computing, Numerical Methods for Solving Large Linear and Nonlinear Systems of Equations, Finite Element Method, Topics in Cryptography, Abstract Algebra I and II, Advanced Numerical Analysis, Linear Programming, Linear Analysis, Matrix Analysis, Stochastic Processes

B.S. in Mathematics, minors in Computer Science and Music (Major GPA: 3.95/4.00)

2012 - 2016 • Grove City College • Summa Cum Laude • Overall GPA: 3.89/4.00

Relevant coursework: Linear Algebra, Object-Oriented Programming Languages, Database Management Systems, Data Structures, Computer Architecture and Organization, Computer Programming I (C++), Computer Programming II (C++), Calculus II, Calculus III, Combinatorics, Complex Analysis, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Mathematics Senior Seminar, Matrix Analysis, Number Theory, Putnam Problems, Real Analysis, Theory of Statistics I, Theory of Statistics II

• Panel speaker at Virginia Tech's and Clemson University's STRIVE for MORE 2020

• Graduating Student with the Highest Potential in Mathematics Award from the Grove City College Mathematics Department

• Commendation for excellence in teaching from the Graduate Coordinator of the Clemson University Mathematical Sciences Department

• Grove City College Trustee Academic Scholarship (highest academic scholarship awarded)

• Grove City College’s Dean’s List (all semesters) with High Distinction (Fall 2012-Fall 2015)

• Treasurer for the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Clemson Chapter

• Secretary for Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honorary

• Grove City College Carpenter Award

• Grove City College Presidential Scholarship

• National Merit Finalist

• Additional privately funded merit scholarships

2018 · Emma Cinatl · "Finite Element Discretizations for Linear Elasticity." TigerPrints

Finite Element Discretizations for Linear Elasticity

Written in C++ using the scientific library deal.II. Implementation of three types of finite element models for linearly elastic materials, particularly the nearly incompressible case. Demonstrates that careful reduced integration solves the locking problem of the standard method, and does so more cheaply than the displacement-pressure method.