Maud El-Hachem

QUT

Interview conducted by Masoud Kamgarpour for the Gazette of the AustMS (PDF)

1. When did you first become interested in mathematics?
I started being interested in maths when I was a kid at school. Maths exercises were stimulating and fun to do. Our high school teacher would pass us the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge some years, and we could get practices beforehand. I used to get the first price in school, not because I was especially competitive but because I got hooked on those exercises. I found them so creative!

2. Could you tell us about your life and career path so far?
I grew up in Canada. I have graduated in computer engineering years ago, and I was teaching programming. Now I am completing my PhD in applied maths in Australia.

3. What does your current research involves?

My current research is about partial differential equations used to study biological invasion. The Fisher-KPP equation is a simple reaction-diffusion equation that admits a travelling wave solution that represents well invasion. We modified this equation by adding a moving boundary, to obtain a sharp-fronted wave, where the position of moving front is known. From there, we studied the solution with numerical solver, phase plane and perturbation methods. Once we understood the main features of the solution, as the speed and the shape of travelling wave, we moved our analysis to a model of two populations. We considered for each population a Fisher-KPP equation with a moving boundary. We also considered a simplified model of two populations that could represent cancer invading skin. This model included the diffusion and the proliferation of cancer population and the degradation of the skin by cancer cells.

4. How do you achieve a balance between your work and life?
Doing a PhD is like having a full-time job. It does not prevent me from enjoying life or doing the tasks of everyday life.

5. What do you think are mathematician’s duties and responsibilities towards the society?

A good example of mathematician’s duties and responsibilities is what is happening during COVID-19. The work of mathematicians contributes to understanding how the pandemic is evolving and allows to make predictions of what is coming. It helps people having a sense of control over their life. It helps society making decisions in the interest of the people.

6. How has your experience doing mathematics in Australia been so far?
It is true that there is lack of popular and financial investment in research and in education.

But it is a problem common to many countries. What is special about Australia is that it so far from the rest of the world, and mathematicians still manage to collaborate with researchers from other countries.

7. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Teaching and doing research. I believe a lot in teaching and forming the new generation.

8.What advice would you offer to young women who are just starting their careers in the mathematical sciences?

Find opportunities to learn and achieve a career goal, have a long-term view of life and career, and keep your integrity.

9. Any last words?
Thank you for your attention and your support.