1. What is your role as a current Mathematician?
I earned my PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Iran, in 2017 and am currently a Teaching Fellow at the Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London.
My research interests lie at applied mathematics and mathematical modelling of engineering and natural systems. Since 2012, I have been studying interactions of ocean dynamics and the Earth's rotation and developing reduced-order models to investigate the sources of dynamical coupling between oceanic currents and the Earth’s polar motion.
Since 2016, I have been teaching subjects such as Engineering Mathematics, Numerical Methods, Vector Calculus and Mechanics to undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students both at Imperial College and Queen Mary University of London.
2. What has inspired your love of the maths community?
In Mathematics, you can never lie or twist the facts. I believe this appreciation of “the truth” leads to a deep sense of humility in followers of Maths.
3. What do you most enjoy about your role?
In my role as a researcher, I enjoy discovering the symmetries existing in engineering and natural systems and expressing them in terms of simplified mathematical equations. As a teacher, I enjoy interacting with young students, helping them shape their careers in Maths and Engineering and learning from their endless enthusiasm and energy.
4. What are the common misconceptions in Mathematics that you believe need to be overcome?
As women in STEM, the most common misconception we face in our day-to-day professional lives is that we cannot have as successful careers in the field as male scientists. This is something we must refute not only in interaction with male colleagues but also within our own selves. I believe sharing inspiring stories of female role models and promoting an evidence-based attitude rather than stereotypes is the key in overcoming these misconceptions.
5. What defines you other than maths? (hobbies, interests etc)
I love travelling, walking in the nature, reading books and swimming.
6. Any inspirational role models/ quotes for you.
From Albert Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
From Maryam Mirzakhani: “The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers."
Read more about Elnaz on her webpage here.
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