Yirong Yang's Interview

Our first volunteer feature is Yirong Yang, a Math PhD Student from the University of Washington. Yirong has been absolutely outstanding in helping us create our popular "Math in Real Life" section. She's got a real passion for math and it shows in everything she does.

We had the chance to sit down with Yirong and chat about her love for math and how it's impacted her life. We think you'll find her story really inspiring!

What drives your love for math?

Math is a universal language in multiple senses. When I first arrived in the US for high school, language barriers often left me struggling to understand lectures. But in math classes, the equations on the board spoke to me clearly. I realized that math is a precise way to communicate ideas, whether it's managing everyday tasks or describing patterns in nature.

There is something for everyone in math. It can be as concrete or abstract as you want. Applied math allows us to build skyscrapers and supercomputers, while pure math opens doors to the pursuit of truth, beauty, and logical soundness, almost like an escape from reality. I love math especially for the latter, as it allows me to wander about in my imagination.

What's the most exciting thing you've learned about math that you never would have expected?

That math was much more than just numbers. As an art lover and maker, I was amazed by the discovery that math could offer me a similar sense of beauty and spiritual fulfillment as art does.

How do you feel about contributing your amazing knowledge to SUMM? 

I am thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity at SUMM to make math more accessible, interesting, and inspiring to people through my MIRL posts. I understand that math education can sometimes be overwhelming, taking away the joy for many.
I would love to bring back the fun and help others see the beauty and excitement in math. 

You can check out Yirong's MIRL (Math in Real Life) posts on our Facebook and Instagram feeds, and by clicking the link at the end of this and other newsletters.