Student researchers use mathematics and computing to trace coral larvae movement and explore connections among Virgin Islands reefs
Lomar Yearwood, a University of the Virgin Islands junior majoring in computer science, has won an Outstanding Poster Award at the Mathematical Association of America's (MAA) MathFest in Boston — one of only 26 posters recognized out of 93 presented at the conference. Yearwood's research uses mathematics and computing to explore how coral reefs across the Virgin Islands may be connected.
Coral reefs damaged by storms, bleaching, or human activity can sometimes recover with help from healthy reefs elsewhere — if coral larvae are able to travel between them. Yearwood's project, "Tracking Reef Pathways Using Lagrangian Simulation and Connectivity Graphs," models the possible routes those larvae travel, work that could help guide reef conservation and restoration efforts across the territory.
"I wanted to find a way to use computing to answer a question that actually matters here at home. Seeing this work recognized on a national stage means a lot, not just for me, but for what it shows about what students at UVI are capable of,” said Yearwood.
Yearwood received the award on Aug. 7, 2026, during the MAA's Research in Motion Poster Session. Using Lagrangian simulation — a method for tracking the movement of particles through water — and connectivity graphs, he modeled potential pathways linking coral reefs throughout the Virgin Islands.
"Lomar and Lilian have demonstrated how mathematics and computer science can be used to explore environmental questions that are critically important to the Virgin Islands," said Dr. Robert Stolz, UVI professor of mathematics and the students' research mentor. "Their presentations at MAA MathFest reflect the dedication, curiosity and skill they brought to their research. Lomar's Outstanding Poster Award is a well-deserved national recognition, and I am extremely proud of both students for representing UVI and sharing their work with the broader mathematical community.”
Yearwood was joined at the conference by Lilian Alexander, a recent UVI mathematics graduate, who presented "Random Walk Modeling of Coral Larvae Dispersal." Her project used mathematical and computational models to simulate how coral larvae may travel between reefs, "ffering a complementary approach to Yearwood's connectivity graphs and adding another layer of insight into reef resilience across the territory."]
Presenting at MAA MathFest gave both students the opportunity to share locally relevant research with mathematicians, educators, and researchers from institutions across the country — an example of how undergraduate research at UVI connects classroom learning to real-world challenges facing the Virgin Islands.
The Mathematical Association of America is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of mathematics and its impact on the world. MAA MathFest is one of the organization's premier national conferences, bringing together members of the mathematical community for presentations, professional development and collaboration.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: Recent University of the Virgin Islands mathematics graduate Lilian Alexander, right, and research mentor Dr. Robert Stolz attend MAA MathFest in Boston, where Alexander presented “Random Walk Modeling of Coral Larvae Dispersal” on Aug. 7, 2026.
Photo 2: University of the Virgin Islands junior computer science major Lomar Yearwood, right, and research mentor Dr. Robert Stolz attend MAA MathFest in Boston. Yearwood received an Outstanding Poster Award for his presentation, “Tracking Reef Pathways Using Lagrangian Simulation and Connectivity Graphs.”
