What is your name and what do you do? My name is Kavita Ramanan and I am a professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University. My research area lies in the field of probability theory, stochastic processes and their applications.
Why do you do mathematics? Was there someone in particular who motivated you to do mathematics? I love that mathematics research is a creative endeavour that simultaneously combines the constant quest for beauty with an incredible potential for applications to better understand and design the world around us. Both my parents were very supportive of my having a career, and the focus was always to find something I was passionate about, I was always drawn to mathematics and puzzle-solving, although I had many other interests as well. Moreover, my father is a mathematician, so I was familiar with the notion of doing research as a profession, and that appealed to me. But I explored other things first before mathematics lured me back, although I work in a completely different area of mathematics.
What is a typical work day like for you? Has this changed between the different stages of your career? My work days consist of myriad activities including thinking deeply about mathematics, reading, learning, writing, editing, mentoring, teaching, making decisions, organisational activities, and occasionally counselling and managing people to the best of my ability! Yes, both the nature and scope of activities has changed quite drastically over the course of my career, but I have made sure to still reserve time for the core activities of doing research and mentoring others to do research.
What keeps you in research? Have you had to overcome any barriers or problems? The same reasons that lured me into the subject – intellectual freedom and the endless potential for creativity and impact. In addition, now I also enjoy the educational and mentoring aspects. Yes, there were certainly problems I had to face. But I never dwelled on them, and my perspective is usually to see a glass half-full rather than half-empty. So on the whole, I am typically grateful for my lot.
Do you have any advice for others who are starting a mathematical career? What advice would you give a younger version of yourself? My advice for people starting out would be to find your passion and follow it, without being afraid to take some risks. Dare to dream but don’t expect immediate gratification and surround yourself with people who genuinely support your goals.
