Maryam Mirzakhani

In particular, I am interested in understanding hyperbolic surfaces.

Sometimes, properties of a fixed hyperbolic surface can be better understood by studying the moduli space that parameterises all hyperbolic structures on a given topological surface.

As a kid, I dreamt of becoming a writer. My most exciting pastime was reading novels; in fact, I would read anything I could find.

I like crossing the imaginary boundaries people set up between different fields - it's very refreshing.

I find it fascinating that you can look at the same problem from different perspectives and approach it using different methods.

I'm quite confident, in some sense.

I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.

I did poorly in math for a couple of years in middle school; I was just not interested in thinking about it.

I grew up in a family with three siblings. My parents were always very supportive and encouraging. It was important for them that we have meaningful and satisfying professions, but they didn't care as much about success and achievement.

You have to spend some energy and effort to see the beauty of math.

The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.

I don't have any particular recipe. It is the reason why doing research is challenging as well as attractive. It is like being lost in a jungle and trying to use all the knowledge that you can gather to come up with some new tricks, and with some luck, you might find a way out.