About

Hi! My name is Jackson Fleege, and I am a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign double majoring in Mathematics (Data Optimization focus) and Statistics, with a minor in Computer Science.

My academic interests center on data analysis, statistical modeling, and data science, with particular emphasis on understanding uncertainty, evaluating model performance, and translating quantitative results into meaningful conclusions.

Research

I am involved in undergraduate research focused on applying statistical and computational techniques to real-world datasets. Through this work, I have gained experience working with imperfect data, refining modeling assumptions, and iteratively improving analytical approaches.

My past work includes studying how students use narrative features in predictive modeling contexts. I am currently working on an extension of this project, exploring refinements to both the modeling framework and evaluation strategy.

Projects

Outside of formal coursework, I work on independent projects in areas such as predictive modeling, data visualization, and statistical inference. These projects allow me to experiment with different methodologies, assess trade-offs between model complexity and interpretability, and deepen my understanding of data-driven decision making.

A selection of my work can be found on my Projects page, with full code and documentation available on GitHub.

Outside Interests

In addition to my academic work, I am an active member of the Marching Illini, the University of Illinois marching band, where I perform as part of the alto saxophone section at football games and university events.

I also serve as the treasurer for Philanthropic Playlist, a registered student organization that organizes and performs concerts throughout the community, with proceeds donated to health-related organizations. In this role, I manage organizational finances and assist with planning and coordination of events.

Supplemental List of my Hobbies and Favorites:

• Video Games
  • Favorites: Elden Ring, Mafia II, DOOM: The Dark Ages
  • Currently playing: Assassin's Creed III: Remastered
• Movies
  • Favorites: No Country for Old Men, The Thing, Aftersun
• Books
  • Favorites: Shōgun, The Catcher in the Rye, All the Light We Cannot See
  • Currently reading: Martyr!

Future Plans

This summer, I will be working at Aetna, a CVS Health company, as an Underwriting Intern, where I look forward to gaining experience applying quantitative methods in an industry setting.

Looking ahead, I plan to pursue graduate study in statistics, data science, or a closely related field. I am particularly interested in programs that emphasize rigorous statistical foundations alongside applied modeling and real-world data analysis. My long-term goal is to work in a role where I can apply these quantitative methods I've learned to complex problems while continuing to refine my analytical skills to help others.