Department Spotlight

Enjoy the following Q&A with Professor Viswanathan

How long have you worked at UM-Dearborn?

For seven years (since Fall 2017)

What do you love about UM-Dearborn?

It's the perfect combination of great students, staff and faculty, sprinkled with a rich smattering of enthusiasm, collaboration, unbridled talent, and compelling life stories. And how often can you walk by the stacks at a library and casually check out some Salvador Dali artwork?

What kinds of activities do you do for fun?

I have been known to partake in the odd game of ping-pong, the odd episode of Fawlty Towers, or listen to the odd piece of classical music.

What programs are you involved with at UM-Dearborn?

Applied and Computational Mathematics (ACM) graduate program, summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, Maize and Blue Math Circles,  and GirlsGetMath@Dearborn applied math summer camp

What motivated you to get involved in the programs from the previous question?

They allow me to combine my research interests with teaching and mentoring, work with extremely talented and enthusiastic students, and have fun in offbeat settings (how often can you set up treasure hunts on campus in the name of learning?)

What is your favorite memory so far from working here?

The Friday afternoon Math & Stats ping pong invitational games? They have been known to attract participants (of all skill levels) from the Dean/Provost's office, CASL faculty and staff, students wrapping up their 2-3:15pm Friday class, kids spending the day/afternoon on campus, and even visitors (well... visiting faculty) from Wayne State!

Where did you receive your degree(s) from and what did you get them in?

MS and PhD (in Electrical Engineering) from Arizona State University; 

BE (in Electronics and Communication Engineering) from R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, India.

What is the most impactful thing you have ever learned?

It's a close tie between learning to code, learning to write my first proof, learning probability and statistics, and accepting the 'No free lunch' theorem!

What kind of research are you interested in either currently or for the future?

I am interested in developing and analyzing applied mathematical methods to solve problems in data-driven signal and image processing applications (such as magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray crystallography, and radar).

Class Standing: Senior

Major: Mathematics/Secondary Education

Campus Involvement & Interests: Association for Womein in Math, Talent Gateway, Women's Bowling & Social Events

Why UM-Dearborn? "Living at home with my family, the amount of scholarships available, and the feel of the campus community."

Class Standing: Senior

Major: Elementary Education

Campus Involvement & Interests: Passionate about expressing creativy through painting and journaling. Enjoys framing jigsaw puzzles and traveling.

Why UM-Dearborn? "My silbings attended UM-Dearborn and spoke very highly of it. It is giving me opportunities that support me and my goals for the future. I hope to become an educator in a Dearborn Public School."

Class Standing: Freshman

Major: Small Business

Campus Involvement & Interests: Developing new and creative fashion designs. Cycling through many of Michigan's local Metroparks.  Loves watching action and mystery movies.

Why UM-Dearborn? "To further my knowledge in the business industry and because it is ranked in the top 20 best universities in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report."