Past Department Spotlights
This is an archive of all of the past Math Department Spotlights. Come check out our past spotlights!
September 2025 Spotlight
Gracie Crooks
We’re proud to shine this month’s Math Department Spotlight on Gracie Crooks, a second-year undergraduate student whose passion for math and interdisciplinary excellence makes her a standout in every way.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Gracie is a hometown scholar with a world of talent. She shares her home with two cats, Zuka and Mabel, and her days are filled with innovation, collaboration, and curiosity.
On campus, Gracie is deeply involved and participates in the SMILE Fund, Society of Women Engineers, AWM, and Girls Who Code. She’s also active in UTC’s Honors College, contributing to both the Innovations in Honors and Grand Challenges Scholars programs. As a researcher, she works with Dr. Ayça Çetinkaya on Inverse Problems and is a member of the Quantum Theory research group through the UTC Quantum Center. Off campus, she serves as a Strategic Research Fellow at EPB, exploring how emerging technologies impact connectivity, energy, and community.
Gracie began her UTC journey as a Computer Science major but quickly fell in love with mathematics during her first calculus course. Inspired by her mom and sister which are both engineers. She was guided by supportive faculty like Professor Villanueva and Dr. Çetinkaya, Gracie has embraced math as a universal language full of creativity and connection.
Her advice to future math majors? “Embrace creativity. Don’t just accept formulas. Ask what they mean.” She believes the beauty of math lies in viewing problems from new angles and not being afraid to ask questions.
Among her many achievements, Gracie has received the UTC SEARCH Award for her project on ill-conditioned linear systems and was an invited speaker at the AWM Research Symposium in Madison, WI. Her recent work on inverse problems is currently under journal review.
Outside of academics, Gracie has a rich creative side, she’s been playing piano for 16 years and cello for 7 years, and she loves learning languages. She’s most fluent in German and American Sign Language and is currently exploring Mandarin Chinese.
Her favorite song? “Dreamer” by Laufey. Her favorite movie? Hidden Figures—of course! Her favorite way to unwind? Walking in the art district or spending time with friends.
When asked why she loves math, she says, “There’s always something new to learn. I love that anyone, anywhere in the world, can use math. It’s a language that connects us all.”
And her favorite quote inspired by a proverb emphasizing the importance of quality and efficiency “Do it right, do it light. Do it wrong, do it long.”
"Gracie is a dedicated and passionate student whose hard work and curiosity promise a bright future in mathematical research." - Ayça Çetinkaya
October 2025 Spotlight
Maheshi Walawwe
Maheshi G. Walawwe, a PhD student in our department, is originally from Kandy, Sri Lanka. She grew up in a close-knit family as the middle child with two sisters, two nieces, and a lively home full of cats including three playful kittens.
Maheshi earned her B.Sc. in Mathematics (First Class Honours) from the University of Ruhuna and an M.Sc. in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Peradeniya. Since joining UTC in January 2025, she has already made her mark by volunteering for Operation Move 2025 and serving as Vice President of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM Student Chapter). Her involvement has also extended to school societies, the dance team, and the debate team, and she looks forward to contributing even more on campus.
Maheshi’s love for mathematics began with her schoolteacher, Mr. Karunarathne, whose engaging teaching style inspired her to pursue the subject. She was further guided by her university supervisors, Dr. M.K. Aberathne, Prof. A.A.I. Perera, and Dr. P.G.R.S. Ranasinghe, who encouraged her to take on advanced research.
Maheshi has published more than 15 research papers and has participated in programs at INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services), including the UNESCO/IOC Ocean Training Internship in Hyderabad, India.
Maheshi has also faced challenges since coming to the U.S., such as adjusting to the accent and managing the time difference with her family back home. By practicing with native speakers and making the most of family moments, she continues to adapt and grow.
Maheshi enjoys writing poems and short stories, listening to music in different languages, and relaxing with movies or storybooks. She values the Math Department’s supportive and international community and looks forward to continuing her dream of becoming both a researcher and an educator.
“Don’t be discouraged by wrong answers or pages of rough work. Every error is part of the learning process and finding the correct answer after many attempts makes you a stronger mathematician.”
Her journey reflects her guiding motto: “We need dreams to live. Dreams guide us toward a better life."
November 2025 Spotlight
Silvia Rist
Silvia Rist is a second-year UTC math major with who has lived in Chattanooga since she was a toddler. She has loving parents, an older sister, and two adorable cats, Peppermint and Hazelnut. When you meet Silvia, you’re sure to notice her infectious smile and upbeat spirit.
Silvia’s love for math began early, encouraged by her parents, who work in math-related fields. That early inspiration continues to guide her as she pursues her studies in the Department of Mathematics. Her dedication to academics has earned her a place on the UTC Dean’s List every semester since 2024.
Silvia is involved in Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma, both freshman honor societies recognizing academic excellence, as well as Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society. Outside the classroom, Silvia sings in Clarion Chorale, a vibrant and inclusive vocal ensemble at UTC that welcomes students from all majors and performs a wide range of music each semester. She also participates in the piano studio on campus. Next semester, Silvia will join the SMILE Fund (Student Managed Investment Learning Experience), a competitive program where students manage a real investment portfolio and gain valuable hands-on experience in finance; an opportunity she’s especially excited about.
One of her proudest accomplishments is graduating high school early with an associate degree, giving her a head start on her career in actuarial science, a field that combines mathematics, statistics, and business to assess risk and help organizations make informed financial decisions. Silvia loves it for its ability to “predict the future” and, in many ways, help keep people safe.
When Silvia’s not studying, she enjoys playing the pipe organ for her church, watching detective shows like Monk and Psych; she loves how their logic and problem-solving mirror the analytical thinking used in math and unwinding with her cats.
Her advice to fellow students is to “connect with others in your classes—it’s a great support system."
Her personal motto: "Don't be afraid to ask for help."
January 2026 Spotlight
Chathuri Aththanayake
Chathuri is originally from the culturally rich and scenic city of Kandy, Sri Lanka, and moved to the United States in 2022 to pursue her doctoral studies. She is the youngest of three siblings, with one brother and one sister, and married in 2021. She and her family now reside in Chattanooga, where they are raising their son.
Chathuri earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Peradeniya and her Master of Science degree from the University of Moratuwa, both in Sri Lanka. She recently completed her PhD in Computational and Applied Mathematics at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Dr. Aththanayake developed her passion for mathematics through a strong academic foundation and a commitment to self-learning, inspired in large part by her father. His encouragement and example played a significant role in motivating her to pursue advanced studies in mathematics.
Dr. Aththanayake took time away from her doctoral studies to welcome her son, and returning to academia proved to be a positive and rewarding experience. This time strengthened her commitment to both her family and her professional goals.
Dr. Aththanayake faced significant personal challenges during her PhD journey, including the loss of her father just six weeks after arriving in the United States. Balancing grief, motherhood, and the demands of doctoral studies required resilience, focus, and determination, which she achieved by setting clear short-term goals and using her time intentionally.
Dr. Aththanayake served as President of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) for two years and continues to participate actively as a member. She has presented her research at conferences held in multiple states, further contributing to the broader mathematics community.
Dr. Aththanayake is widely regarded as a role model within the Mathematics Department. Graduate students frequently look to her when they have questions, valuing her thoughtful guidance, strong mentorship, and reliable advice.
Dr. Aththanayake has been recognized for her dedication and excellence with two Outstanding PhD Student Awards which one was from the UTC Graduate School and one from the Mathematics Department. She has also published three peer-reviewed journal articles.
Dr. Aththanayake is guided by the belief, “You are the designer of your own destiny.” She extends her sincere gratitude to everyone who supported her throughout her academic and professional journey. Dr. Aththanayake enjoys unwinding through creative hobbies such as canvas painting and sewing.
February 2026 Spotlight
Dr. Mohammad Khan
Background
Originally from Pakistan, Dr. Mohammad Khan immigrated to the United States with his family in 2009 shortly after graduating from high school. He began his college education in California and later relocated to Tennessee in 2020. In addition to teaching at UTC, he also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Chattanooga State Community College.
Educational Journey
Dr. Khan earned his Ph.D. in Computational Science, with a concentration in Computational and Applied Mathematics, from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2023. He received his M.S. in Applied Mathematics from California State University, Long Beach, in 2019, and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2016. After three years as a Ph.D. student at UTC, he returned in Fall 2024 as an Adjunct Professor.
Inspiration for Mathematics: His passion for mathematics began in high school when he discovered how mathematical methods are used to solve complex problems in physics. Learning about the construction of the Large Hadron Collider and the search for the Higgs Boson sparked his curiosity, as his fascination with astronomy and calculating distances between celestial objects interests that ultimately led him toward mathematical physics.
Advice for Students
Dr. Khan encourages students to practice extensively, develop proof-writing skills, and seek undergraduate research opportunities if they are considering graduate school. For those entering industry, he emphasizes mastering coding and building strong programming accuracy and discipline.
Overcoming Challenges: As the first person in his family to pursue a doctoral degree, Dr. Khan faced discouragement early in his academic journey. He credits perseverance and self-belief as key factors that helped him continue toward his goals, emphasizing that individuals must ultimately choose the path that is right for their future.
Research and Accomplishments
During his doctoral studies, Dr. Khan published research with his advisors and a collaborator from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville—an experience that broadened his research interests. Among his proudest accomplishments are earning his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and completing a Ph.D. in an interdisciplinary field.
Interests and Hobbies
Outside the classroom, Dr. Khan enjoys following cricket and keeping up with international matches. He also has a passion for acting and once took an acting course at UC Berkeley, where an instructor encouraged him to audition for Broadway. While he chose mathematics as his career path, his enthusiasm for performance remains a memorable part of his college experience.
Favorites and Relaxation
He enjoys listening to country music to relax and frequently watches science-focused podcasts such as StarTalk and Mindscape.
Why Mathematics?
Dr. Khan views mathematics as the foundation of all scientific disciplines and hopes to become a tenure-track professor in the future. He particularly appreciates the welcoming environment of the UTC Math Department and its supportive community for both students and faculty.
Personal Motto
“Learning should never stop, and our thinking should continue to evolve with time.”
March 2026 Spotlight
Dr. Ziwei Ma
Background
Dr. Ziwei Ma was born in Akesu, Xinjiang, in Northwestern China. He now lives in Tennessee with his wife and two daughters. Since joining UTC in August 2020, this marks his sixth year with the university. In addition to teaching and research, he actively serves the department through the budget, undergraduate, graduate, and awards committees. He is also a member of the ASA Eastern Tennessee Chapter.
Educational Journey
Dr. Ma earned his B.S. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and his M.S. in Pure Mathematics from Northwest University in Xi’an, China. He later completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. In December 2019, he received the Dean’s Graduate Award for Excellence from the College of Arts and Sciences at NMSU, the highest honor given to a graduate student in the college.
Inspiration for Mathematics
Dr. Ma was inspired by exceptional mentors during his time at Northwest University, especially Professor Yangeng Wang and Professor Shutang Wang. Their guidance and teaching sparked his passion for mathematics and shaped his academic path.
Advice for Students
His advice is straightforward and meaningful: Work hard. Be confident. He believes persistence and self-confidence are key ingredients for success in mathematics and beyond.
Overcoming Challenges
When facing challenges, Dr. Ma returns to the same principle, working hard and maintaining confidence. This steady mindset has helped him grow both personally and professionally.
Research and Accomplishments
Dr. Ma takes pride in applying mathematics and statistics to interdisciplinary areas such as biomedical engineering, economics, and clinical studies. Among his honors, he is especially proud of receiving Dean’s Graduate Award for Excellence during his doctoral studies.
Interests and Hobbies
Outside the classroom, Dr. Ma enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and badminton. In high school, he dreamed of becoming a rock-and-roll singer and admired artists such as Dou Wei, Zheng Jun, and Xu Wei. Today, he enjoys worship music and sings in his church choir. He also unwinds by playing guitar and reading history books.
Favorites and Relaxation
Dr. Ma chose mathematics because he genuinely enjoys solving mathematical problems and teaching math and statistics. He finds great fulfillment in helping students grasp challenging concepts.
What He Enjoys Most About Teaching
The most rewarding part of his work is hearing students say they have learned something meaningful or found inspiration in his lectures.
Personal Motto
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” — Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)