Welcome to my Academic Website
Click here for my Author Website, to learn about “The Big Bang of Numbers,” my book on math for everyone.
I joined the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in 1983 right after my Ph.D. at Carnegie-Mellon University. UMBC is a medium-sized, doctorate-granting selective public research university, classified by the Carnegie Foundation as one with “very high research activity” (Category R1). We have been frequently cited for our outstanding success in graduating minority students in mathematics and science who go on to get an advanced degree (one of the highest in the country). We have also made it frequently to “top ten” lists, such as “best in undergraduate education,” “top up-and-coming university,” “best value universities” among others. UMBC is an excellent place to be, both for students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as faculty members. This is the only job I’ve ever had.
I am a full professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. What I like most about my department is the emphasis we place on the applied aspects of the fields we teach and research. We offer traditional and career-oriented programs in both mathematics and statistics, at the undergraduate, Masters’ and Ph.D. levels. Our faculty performs research in several areas of applied mathematics and statistics, with many of the projects being externally funded (for example by NSF, NIH, EPA, AFOSR, etc.).
I am also an affiliate professor of the UMBC Asian Studies program. In September, 2014, I was appointed Distinguished University Professor at UMBC.
In addition to being a mathematician, I am also a writer. In March, 2015, the New York Times appointed me as a contributing opinion writer. My opinion pieces for them (primarily on mathematics, India and LGBT rights) can be found here.
More career details can be found in my curriculum vitae.
I am a member of UMBC’s outlist which lists faculty and staff at UMBC who self-identify as LGBTQ.