From math to meaning: ASU outstanding undergraduate turns numbers into solutions
Lilly Tretheway is the outstanding undergraduate of the School of Complex Adaptive Systems, part of the College of Global Futures. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
When Lilly Tretheway first arrived at Arizona State University from her hometown of Folsom, California, she knew she wanted math in her life — but not in the traditional way.
“I was always really good at math, but the idea of only studying math did not interest me,” she said. “While searching for majors at ASU, I found the applied mathematics for the life and social sciences program. This program interested me because I realized I could use my skills in math to solve real problems in areas such as finance, diseases or climate change.”
This drive led her to pursue a double major in applied mathematics for the life and social sciences and data science, where she found a curriculum rich in complexity and possibility.
This spring, Tretheway has been named the outstanding undergraduate of the School of Complex Adaptive Systems, part of the College of Global Futures, for her achievements and contributions to cross-disciplinary research and data-driven discovery.
During her undergraduate studies, Tretheway participated in the SURE (Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience) program through the School of Sustainability. There, she began working with Candice Carr Kelman, a clinical assistant professor in the School of Sustainability, on research focused on the disconnect between conservation science and practitioner access. This experience inspired her Barrett honors thesis, which explored how accessibility and collaboration impact the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.
By combining data analysis with her background in applied mathematics, her thesis revealed that conservation practitioners often face significant barriers in accessing scientific information and forming effective partnerships. Tretheway's study highlighted how enhanced collaboration, through both informal networks and structured partnerships, is important for creating impactful proposals, policies and conservation strategies.
“I worked on the project for over a year and a half and was able to apply my learning from both majors,” she said. “By providing the data analysis and conclusions, I was able to quantify the findings from our interviews and show the experiences of conservation practitioners.”
Her growth at ASU extends beyond academics. Tretheway challenged herself by joining the NASA Lucy mission team, where she applied her data analysis skills to a field she initially knew little about. This experience highlighted her ability to adapt and contribute across diverse domains.
“The project itself seemed super interesting, and although I did not have any experience in astronomy, I still found it very fascinating. Being able to take the skills and ideas learned in my classes and apply them to new problems allows me to show the interdisciplinary applications of math and data science,” Tretheway said.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a data analyst in fields such as finance, insurance or sustainability.
Below, Tretheway shares highlights from her time at ASU.
Question: Why did you choose to attend ASU?
Answer: I chose ASU because I loved the campus and my program. I was interested in applied mathematics, and this program allowed me to explore the many different problems that math can solve. It seemed more in-depth than the other applied mathematics programs I was looking at, and the beautiful campus and weather made it much more intriguing.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: My applied mathematics professor, Jordy Cevallos-Chavez, made a huge impact on my time at ASU. While looking for postgrad positions, I found it to be really difficult and discouraging, but he continued to support me and remind me to put myself out there and be confident in everything I have learned. He also always reminded me to try my hardest and push myself to get what I deserve, whether it be for class projects or job applications.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: My advice to people still in school is to put yourself out there as soon as possible. Pushing yourself to join new clubs and go to campus events can help expand your network and help you in the long run.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I’d use the $40 million to help national parks collect and use better data. This could mean tracking things like wildlife, water use or how people move through the park. With that information, park staff could make better choices to protect the land and habitats, handle emergencies like wildfires, and keep the parks healthy for the future. Many individuals in my thesis worked at national parks and other protected areas that had issues with having reliable data. Giving them the funding they need to remain open and track information will allow them to know what changes and improvements need to be made.
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