Tafari James & Quiyana Murphy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tafari James, PhD Candidate, University of Washington

I was born in a hospital in Camden, New Jersey, and I was raised both in Trenton a few miles northeast and Philadelphia a few miles northwest. While my parents separated when I was five, both parents helped shape me with their respective cultures. My mother Caroline practices law with a focus on civil rights, and she inspired me by showing me the power and role of careful argument in the pursuit of a just world. My father is a civil engineer, but growing up he was a carpenter and businessman, who worked towards his bachelor’s degree in his free time. Watching him do college algebra and trigonometry on the mattress beside me hour after hour, I saw a glimpse of the power of hard work and the beauty of symbolic manipulation. While taking a few college courses concurrently in high school, I was fascinated by the velocity of the rain against the bus windshield on my commute to campus. 

Fast forward a few months, I began college at Haverford fully intending on majoring in physics, but the more time I spent working in the laboratory the less happy I was. On the other hand, I had extremely encouraging, expert-level math teachers like Lynne Butler and Elizabeth Milicevic for calculus and proof-based linear algebra respectively. By the time I finished the second semester of abstract algebra with Liz, I was thoroughly determined on being a great algebraist and getting my math PhD. As words of inspiration, if you are Black like me, and you like math even a liiiitle bit, you are resilient enough to withstand impossible resistance with your chin up. May that brilliance Never dampen.  

 

Quiyana Murphy, PhD Student, Virginia Tech

I was born and raised in Louisville, KY with my mother, father, grandfather and two siblings. As a child I was always fascinated by mathematics. This was further cultivated during middle school where I volunteered to tutor mathematics in an after-school program called the Kids Café. This is where I discovered I had a passion not only for learning math but teaching it to others. 

Despite my interest in the subject, I did not see a potential career in mathematics early on. In high school I was part of a Law and Government Magnet Program where I began learning about laws, the legal system, and gained hands-on experience by interning at law offices. With hopes of becoming a lawyer I enrolled at the University of Kentucky as a Psychology major with a minor in Political Science. Even while considering different options as a career path, my interest in math never waned. A pivotal moment in my mathematical journey occurred when I met Dr. David Murrugarra and Dr. Olivia Propser who were, at the time, recently hired faculty studying mathematical biology. I had the opportunity to take an introductory mathematical modeling course which brought to my attention the real-world application of mathematics and its usefulness in biology and medicine. Specifically, its usefulness in infectious disease modeling, predictions, and solving relevant problems facing humanity. As I learned more about this research area, I was inspired to strengthen my mathematical skills in this area. This led to the completion of a summer research experience and continuing my mathematics education by pursuing a graduate degree. I am currently a PhD in the Virginia Tech Department of Mathematics under the advisement of Dr. Stanca Ciupe.

Words of wisdom:

• Don’t let your current situation or upbringing define your future. Believe in yourself and your ability to learn anything if you put in the effort.
• Surround yourself with friends, mentors, and colleagues who support your goals and celebrate your successes.
• Stay rooted in your beliefs.