Fields participants can choose to study at one of three Ontario universities. Though each offered unique strengths, for Peng and Kluge, the math was simple. Only the University of Ottawa included academic excellence plus a vibrant location plus a bilingual environment in the same equation.
More than a hub for science and mathematics, uOttawa is also a place where culture, language and opportunity intersect.
The next step for undergrads
The Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program offers undergraduate students from around the world the chance to study at one of three leading Canadian universities and dive into high-level mathematics research under the mentorship of leading scholars.
Over two months, students not only expand their technical and practical knowledge, but also develop meaningful relationships with peers and learn from their mentors and assigned professors. Many leave with greater clarity about their future research path and a deeper appreciation for the community they’ve found.
“Through the Fields program, uOttawa offers uniquely ambitious projects—such as formalizing proofs in low‑dimensional topology or exploring connections between Weyl algebras and quantum groups,” says Alistair Savage, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
“These opportunities not only expose undergraduates to cutting‑edge mathematical ideas and rigorous mentorship, but also position the Department of Mathematics as a hub where global talent collaborates in a bilingual, interdisciplinary environment.”
Expanding horizons on uOttawa’s bilingual campus
Peng’s journey to uOttawa was driven by both academic pursuits and curiosity about language. A student from UCLA, Peng had long been fascinated by French and saw the University of Ottawa as the perfect place to feed that passion while pursuing advanced mathematics.
“Being able to expand my research experience and gain a deeper understanding in the fields of geometry and topology, all while improving my French really challenged me in a positive way,” Peng says.
“Being able to expand my research experience and gain a deeper understanding in the fields of geometry and topology, all while improving my French really challenged me in a positive way.”
Ethan Peng
— Fields Research Internship Participant
Peng found value in collaborating with an international team (including members from the U.S. and the U.K.) along with many people he met on campus from Morocco, Senegal and Mauritius.
His experience at uOttawa confirmed his wish to pursue graduate studies and explore how geometry and topology help us describe the physical world. With his newfound French language skills, he’s motivated to apply for a graduate program in French.
From mathematical modelling to economics
James Kluge came to uOttawa with a clear research focus. Majoring in economics and mathematical sciences at the University of Michigan and minoring in complex systems and Chinese, Kluge was eager to expand his portfolio by collaborating with uOttawa professors.
His extracurriculars—conducting research on home loan data with the Institute of Social Research and editing an economics textbook—have clarified his research interests in inequality, government loan programs and taxation policy.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the projects this summer really stood out,” Kluge says. “It’s similar to economics, where many insights from different experts helps effectively solve problems.”
Kluge was drawn to uOttawa because of the superior expertise of faculty. In particular, working with Professor Stacey Smith at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics helped him develop his knowledge in mathematical modelling in preparation for graduate school and a career in economics research.
Peng and Kluge are just two examples of the many students who take part in programs like the Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program at uOttawa. What makes their experiences unique is not only the projects they work on, but the culture they’re immersed in—a culture where two languages coexist and where collaboration is both local and global.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the projects this summer really stood out. It’s similar to economics, where many insights from different experts helps effectively solve problems.”
James Kluge
— Fields Research Internship Participant
Shaping the future of innovation
As uOttawa continues to strengthen its position as a leader in research excellence, opportunities for students and faculty to join us from around the world continue to expand. With state-of-the-art research facilities, international partnerships and a campus culture that thrives on innovation and inclusion, the University of Ottawa opens doors for students and faculty.
For students like Peng and Kluge, the summer was more than just an internship—it was a glimpse into what makes uOttawa stand out. A place where research meets culture, where collaboration sparks discovery and where the future of science is being written in two languages.