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About Me: Rob Costa

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Hi everyone, this is Rob. I’m a senior systems developer at InterSystems Corporation, where I have worked on InterSystems IntelliCare™ electronic health record and InterSystems IRIS® data platform that evolved out of M(UMPS) database programming. I’m starting a PhD at Tufts University in low-latency execution, after completing a master’s in computer science there. This will be my third degree from Tufts overall, as I also completed my undergraduate degree in mathematics here. I am working on an open-source quantitative trading system called CandleSage, using Hidden Markov Models, Long Short-Term Memory, Prophet Models, and Transformers.

I grew up in Northern Maine, and in 2009 I attended the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT, where I used modular forms to study the partition function in number theory. I graduated from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, winning the 2010 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for the highest scores in Maine, and interned at Maine’s Jackson Laboratory in 2011, where I was first exposed to statistical computing, in bioinformatics. As an undergraduate student at Tufts University, I was focused on pure math, studying abroad in Moscow in the summer of 2014, and in 2015 I published a paper in number theory on p-adic dynamical systems, A p-adic Perron-Frobenius Theorem. I also enjoyed set theory, type theory, category theory, and logic. See my logic-related Google Drive.

Below is a series of images with people who have inspired me. While I could write extensively about each of them, I’ll highlight the last two in particular. I was invited, along with other Research Science Institute alumni, to meet Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve. It was an honor for me to shake his hand and ask his thoughts on a quotation from Milton Friedman, whom he had been discussing with us. Our conversation deepened my interest in monetary policy, particularly the role of monetary aggregates in economic stability. Inspired by his insights, I began exploring financial markets more seriously, studying both historical perspectives and modern quantitative approaches. I also had the opportunity to take a photo with Dr. Talithia D. Williams, a statistician, educator, and the first African-American woman to achieve tenure at Harvey Mudd College. Her emphasis on the power of data to uncover systemic disparities demonstrates how we can apply mathematics to real-world challenges. Beyond inspiring me to deepen my knowledge of statistics, she has helped encourage the way I think about leveraging quantitative methods for equity, education, and the public good.

Rob with Yann LeCun, the "father of deep learning", and VP, Meta Chief AI Scientist.

Rob with Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President of the University of Maine and math educator.

Rob with Carlos Alvarado Quesada, former president of Costa Rica, at Tufts University.

Rob with donor and philanthropist Bill Cummings speaking at Tufts University.

Rob with Oren Cass, Executive Director of American Compass, at Tufts University.

Rob with writer and drug addiction survivor "Beautiful Boy" Nic Sheff at Tufts University.

Rob with Pete Wilson and Gayle Wilson at a Center for Excellence in Education reunion.

Rob with Mathematics Professor Loring Tu, his academic advisor, at Tufts University.

Rob with the VisiCalc spreadsheet co-creator Bob Frankston at Tufts University.

Rob speaking with DHS Under Secretary Reggie Brothers at Tufts University.

Rob and other students at the Federal Reserve after meeting chair Jerome Powell.

Rob with statistician and advocate Talithia Williams after her talk at Tufts University.

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