Jesse Schmolze

Economics, Mathematics and Physics @ UW–Madison. Exploring statistical finance, machine learning, stochastic mathematical methods and economic research.

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Selected Projects

Python ML Quant React (optional)

Time-Inhomogeneous Markov Chains for JPM

Python • Deep Learning • Stochastic Processes

Research project modeling JPMorgan Chase daily return dynamics using a time-dependent Markov chain learned via neural networks. Discretizes returns into states and trains an MLP to estimate conditional transition matrices given current state and macro/fundamental signals, enabling probabilistic forecasting, regime analysis, and risk simulation.

Code Report (PDF)

Global GDP Growth Classification

Python • Machine Learning • Macroeconomics

Built a multi-class machine learning model to classify countries into low, medium, or high GDP-per-capita growth regimes using macroeconomic, demographic, and institutional indicators. Trained and tuned a random forest classifier on World Bank, Penn World Table, and WGI data to study feature importance and structural drivers of economic growth.

Report (PDF)

Solar Racing — Strategy & Telemetry

Python • Optimization • Data pipelines

Developed race‑day strategy tools and telemetry pipelines for solar‑car competitions. Simulations under varying conditions to guide design & operations.

Tech write‑up
Future Goals

Coursework

Selected, relevant to quant/ML/physics/econ

Intermediate Microeconomics Intermediate Macroeconomics Econometrics Probability Theory Stochastic Processes Machine Learning (STAT 451) Deep Learning (STAT 453) Linear Algebra Multivariable Calculus International Macroeconomics Money & Banking Atomic & Quantum Physics

Experience

Federal Reserve Challenge Club — Head of Comms & Senior Markets Researcher

UW–Madison • Apr 2025 – Present
  • Led a 10-person team analyzing 20+ indicators (credit spreads, delinquencies, DXY, FCI) to assess market stability.
  • Combined macro conditions with financial indicators to craft fiscal/monetary policy recommendations for presentation to the Fed.
  • Opened comms across 7 sub-teams; accelerated our timeline by 11 days vs. plan.

Badger Solar Racing — Strategy Lead

Telemetry, simulation, and race-day optimization

Developed Simulink/MATLAB models (including PDE-based performance modeling) to optimize race strategy; ~10.7% performance improvement.

Undergraduate Business Law Association — Founder & President

Mar 2025 – Present

Founded UW-Madison’s first undergrad business-law club (14 members). Designed a 13-week curriculum (banking, M&A, derivatives, antitrust) and merged with UCLA’s analog for a nationwide network and shared pro-events.

Everlight Solar — Business Value Creation Intern

Summer 2025
  • Converted cold leads into warm appointments; generated $80k+ revenue in six weeks.
  • Engaged 500+ households and created objection-handling frameworks yielding 50+ consultations.

Independent Research — Quantum Physics & Equity Inefficiencies

May 2025 – Present

Python stochastic modeling inspired by quantum tunneling to identify equities with asymmetric risk; running backtests across hundreds of tickers.

Clubs & Leadership

Skills & Interests

Python (NumPy, Pandas, PyTorch) Java Simulink MATLAB Stata Microsoft Office

Contact

Open to roles in financial research, data/ML, strategy/ops, economic research and economic consulting. The fastest way to reach me is email.

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