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Alumni Stories Mathematics

The Mathematics of Outer Space

Thanks to the hit movie Hidden Figures, the women of NASA have been in the news lately, receiving some well-deserved accolades for their amazing work. One SMU alumna, Alyssa Manis, is continuing the tradition now in her work as an Orbital Debris Scientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “There are thousands of active satellites in Earth’s orbit, and there are estimated to be millions of debris including spent rocket bodies, debris from normal mission operations, and small pieces generated by accidental explosions and collisions,” Manis explains. “Some of these pieces are large enough to be tracked, but many are not, so we really don’t know how much is out there. These debris can pose a threat to operational satellites and human spaceflight missions, including the International Space Station.”

Dr. Manis, who received her Ph.D. in Computational and Applied Mathematics from SMU in 2013, uses her mathematics skills to analyze this debris. “I do computer modeling and data analysis to better characterize the space environment by understanding how much debris is out there, where it is, and how many new pieces may be created by collision or explosion events.” Her graduate work prepared her for this project in a roundabout way. “My graduate work at SMU involved mathematical models of the Atlantic Ocean circulation in response to climate change. It involved looking at uncertainties in the model and how random changes to parameters affected model behavior. After I finished my Ph.D., I became a postdoc at Texas A&M University at Galveston where I worked on tsunami models. While this was a very different application, [] my background in fluid dynamics and uncertainty analysis was actually a very good foundation for that. The work I continued to do there with randomness and uncertainties in models turned out to also be very good background for moving to NASA and orbital debris research, where the uncertainties are great. Again, it was a completely different field and application, but the general skills I had developed along the way were completely transferable.”

One thing that drew Dr. Manis to SMU in the first place was the ability to focus on real-world applications of mathematics. “When I was first looking for graduate schools, I focused on schools that offered an Applied Mathematics degree program, because I knew I wanted to be able to use my math for real-world applications and problems,” she recounts. “As I looked into SMU more, the culture of the Computational and Applied Mathematics program just seemed like a good fit. It was a relatively small program so I would get to know the professors well, and I would have the opportunity to be a teaching assistant and maintain that aspect of teaching and helping others learn. After visiting campus and meeting with some of the faculty and graduate students, it just felt right.”

SMU having a smaller program is one of the things that made it a great place to study mathematics, too. “The relatively small size…means that you get to know the professors well and they get to know you, leading to a more personal and personalized experience. The faculty research areas are actually quite varied for such a small department, so there is great opportunity to find a research topic of personal interest. That was very important to me when I decided to stay past my Masters degree and pursue a Ph.D. I wanted to research something that was interesting and meaningful to me personally, not just something that was assigned to me. I was fortunate enough to be able to work with [department chair] Alejandro Aceves, who was willing to work with me on a research topic that was not directly in his area of expertise. His flexibility and encouragement allowed me to broaden my experiences and learn how to more independently develop a research topic. I think that’s a great asset for a graduate program.”

How should someone interested in being the next Katherine Johnson (or Alyssa Manis!) prepare for that goal? “Take the time to think about what you’re interested in,” Dr. Manis counsels. “Especially when it comes to applied mathematics, think about how you want to use your math skills once you graduate. I have been fortunate to be able to work in fields where I can see the human and societal impact of what I’m doing, and that’s very rewarding. Whatever is important to you, look for ways to tie that into your graduate studies and your working life will feel much more meaningful.”

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Alumni Stories History

Spotlight on: Ph.D. Alumnus Alicia Dewey

Alicia Dewey is an alumnus of several SMU programs, having been a bankruptcy lawyer in Dallas (graduating from SMU’s Dedman School of Law) before deciding to become a historian and college professor.  Returning to SMU, Prof. Dewey graduated with her Ph.D. in History in 2007 and is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at Bioloa University in California.  Her general focus is on the history of the American West and the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands.  “I am researching the history of water rights and irrigation in the lower Rio Grande Valley along the Texas-Mexico border,” Prof. Dewey explains.  “I am also continuing my research about the business history of the area.  My first book, Pesos and Dollars: Entrepreneurs in the Texas-Mexico Borderlands, 1880-1940 (Texas A & M University Press, 2014) focused on the experiences of business people in the region.”

SMU’s central location in Dallas is one of the reasons that Prof. Dewey first explored the idea of studying history at the university.  “I was living and working in Dallas and had previously graduated from SMU’s Dedman School of Law.  I took a class on Texas history back in the fall of 2001, which introduced me to what was then a relatively new, innovative Ph.D. program in the William P. Clements Department of History.  I discovered I could pursue my interests in Texas history in the broader contest of Mexican and U.S. western history.”  When asked why SMU was a good fit for her, she shares that “[t]he professors, the collegiality of the department, the resources, and the program itself” make it a great place to pursue the study of history.

“SMU taught me how to become an excellent scholar and enabled me to develop the foundation for my later work.  That foundation has enabled to me to publish a book, among other things, even while working at a teaching-focused institution.  My research and writing has also formed the basis of my teaching career as I have endeavored to design my courses around the development of historical thinking and skills as well as historical knowledge.  The strong research background has also helped as I have recently become chair and have had to guide my department through the revision of the learning outcomes for our major.  I was also very blessed to have had so many professors at SMU who combined great scholarship with great teaching and mentoring, and they continue to serve as models for my own career.”

How should aspiring historians approach their academic goals?  “I would advise them to work on developing their skills of writing, research, and teaching, but to also think broadly and creatively about how the knowledge of history and historical skills can apply to a variety of fields and arenas.”

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Alumni Stories History

Spotlight on: Ph.D. Alumnus Matthew Babcock

Prof. Matthew Babcock is an Assistant Professor of History at UNT Dallas, where he has worked as a founding faculty member since it became a four-year institution in 2010.  Prof. Babcock is also an SMU alumnus, graduating with his Ph.D. in history in 2008.

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Alumni Stories Statistics

Spotlight on: Ph.D. Alumnus Charles South

Charles South graduated from SMU in May 2016 with his Ph.D. in Statistical Science.  He is currently working at the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care at UT Southwestern Medical School, where the vast majority of his work involves analyzing data from clinical trials to help understand how major depressive disorder functions, the kinds of treatments that help reduce and/or remove symptoms, and whether there are underlying characteristics possessed by people with depression that make them more or less likely to respond to treatment.  This is one of the great advantages of studying statistics – Charles has a toolbox of methods grounded in theory that he can use to analyze real data sets and help experts make decisions in a vast range of fields.  In this case, that field happens to be healthcare at one of the cutting-edge facilities in the country.

As luck would have it, what brought Charles to SMU originally was not Statistics, but Engineering.  “Ironically, the amazing engineering co-op program at SMU is what originally sold me.  When I decided that engineering wasn’t the field for me, I found a home in the statistical science department.  When it came time for me to pursue a PhD, there was nowhere else that I wanted to be!”  In the Statistical Science department, Charles found a home where he was able to work closely with students and faculty to pursue his interests.  “The world-class faculty, small teacher-to-student ratio, and atmosphere of comradery make the Statistical Science department at SMU one of a kind in my eyes.  The faculty are always willing to help and take a great interest in student learning and student success.”

During his time at SMU, the Statistical Science program provided him with the tools he needed to succeed in his research and beyond.  “I feel like I was constantly pushed to the brink of my intellectual capability throughout my time at SMU.  High level peers and high level faculty constantly kept me on my toes and motivated me to push through challenging coursework.  Through the Statistical Consulting Center, I was given ample opportunities to polish my skills while working with real life clients and gained the confidence necessary to succeed in a full-time position.”

How can you pursue statistics at the next level?  “First and foremost, don’t be afraid to show weakness,” Charles advises.  “I spent tons of time seeking help from my professors, and it made a big difference in my confidence and my grades.  Second, collaborate and spend time with your peers.  Graduate school is a struggle with many highs and lows; having people to share the struggle with makes it much easier to overcome.  Lastly, be open to criticism.  The best way to grow in any field is to be around people who are much smarter and more experienced than you are… and this means your work will be criticized early and often.  While it may seem frustrating at times, it is also the best catalyst for growth.”