Professional Physicists - Faculty: Mathematics

Faculty members of Mathematics Departments of colleges and universities:

Job title:
Associate professor of mathematics and associate professor of electrical engineering

Educational background:
B.A., Physics
M.S., Mathematics
Ph.D. Mathematics

What do you do?
I teach in a mathematics department and do research in image processing. I guide graduate students and present and publish my research results.

Why did you decide to pursue a physics-related career?
I originally wanted to major in astronomy but had to take physics first. I loved physics so much I stuck with it, although I still have a passion for things astronomy.

How has your physics background helped you in your career?
Physics is both hands-on and abstract. Learning physics allowed me to connect the reality around me with the theory describing it. It has helped me bridge the applied area of image processing with the theory behind imaging by giving me tools to apply mathematics to the concrete field of processing image data.

How have you balanced family and career commitments?
This aspect of my career was not planned. I was single during half of my 6-year stretch towards tenure. I met my husband at the university I was working at and after we married, we had our first child. I was able to work out a deal with my chair at the time to have about 10 months off from most duties. I took my 6 week leave of absence, plus worked half-time after that. I really enjoyed working part-time and being with my child, and was not looking forward to going back full-time and finding full-time care for my child.

I spoke with a mentor about options for work and family, and mentioned that I was thinking of asking for a half-time temporary appointment for a year or two but not starting right away since I believed at the time there was not enough lead time for the department to react to my request. My mentor suggested, why wait? I emboldened myself, asked for and received a temporary, 2-year, half-time appointment. I enjoyed this arrangement so much, and eventually was able to arrange a permanent position at half-time. I receive health care benefits as well as the ability to contribute with matching funds by my employer into my retirement accounts. I really like teaching and research at 20 or so hours per week, and being able to be home with my children. I also have time to volunteer at my children's school, and started a Science Club there for the benefit of my children and others. Of course, the flip side of not working 50+ hours per week is that you cannot do the kinds of projects that require that time commitment. The important thing is that I have found something that works for me and my employer.

I also did a mini-switch in mid-career: I was initially hired full-time in the electrical and computer engineering department, where imaging research was done, and after 15 years there, switched to the mathematics department. I found the mathematics department to be a better environment for me and the university, and worked with the university to make the switch between departments.

Do you have any advice for college students who are interested in pursuing careers in physics?
For me, I have found that in order to be happy with my place in the world, I must do something I really love. If you really love physics, you will find a way to work it into your life. A bachelor's degree in physics can give you the tools for many different types of career options. There are many different types of work that involve physics. Find a flavor that works for you.