Arthur van der Merwe
AMSI Summer School 2o22
What is your role in the Mathematical Sciences?
Scholar, Enthusiast and Researcher.
As an AMSI alumnus, how did participating in AMSI programs support your career trajectory?
The wide range of AMSI programs supported my career trajectory by providing in-depth insight into specialist fields directly related to my personal development and career. The short-form intensive schools were highly engaging and insightful, which allowed me to apply it directly to Financial Markets Infrastructure, Cryptography and Cyber Security.
You are currently a Senior Specialist at ASIC. Could you tell us a little bit about what you are focusing and how you apply your mathematical sciences skills to this industry?
Mathematical science plays a crucial role in my current position regulating financial services. Within the realm of Markets Infrastructure and Integrity, mathematical modelling is utilised to identify various forms of market and financial system manipulation. Given the vast amounts of data that regulators collect, statistical analysis is also employed to detect undesirable behaviour. In my role, I focus on cryptography and cybersecurity, using mathematical techniques to analyse different protocols, standards, and implementations. Additionally, I conduct statistical analyses of cyber and technology risk models for a large number of regulated financial institutions.
Do you have any suggestions for students who want to pursue a STEM degree? How do you feel the correlation between math skill and career development?
My suggestion for students pursuing a STEM degree is to build a solid foundation in mathematics. This foundation includes not only essential mathematical skills but also the ability to think logically and solve complex problems. These skills will be invaluable for your career development in the future.
What do you hope for the future of mathematics in Australia and globally?
Many people view mathematics as a complex subject, likely due to various misconceptions. I hope that future math curricula will be introduced in early education and connected to real-world applications. This approach would enable young minds to collaboratively solve problems, regardless of borders.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, parks swimming.
This interview is part of our AMSI alumni Series. If you’re an AMSI alumni, we would love to hear what you have been up to! Tag us in your posts on LinkedIn and X @DiscoverAMSI so we can share your achievements. Please contact us if you would like to be featured in our monthly newsletter: media@amsi.org.au.
