Erika Moyer: You’re a graduate student. Where did you get your bachelor’s degree?
Letty Reza: I did my undergraduate work here at UH.
Moyer: What made you decide to go to graduate school?
Reza: My senior year I did an undergraduate research project ‘hellip; I really enjoyed it, and it made me decide to go on to get my Ph.D.
Moyer: What are you involved in other than coursework?
Reza: I am chapter president of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honor society in mathematics.
Moyer: What does Pi Mu Epsilon do?
Reza: We regularly have math Jeopardy and are planning to hold an induction for incoming members. We will be electing officers soon.
Moyer: Is there anything you’d like to change in the Math Department?
Reza: I would like to see more diversity in our Math Department. I am one of three Hispanic students, and there are no African-Americans in our graduate program. Last year in the U.S., there were 1,200 Ph.D.’s awarded in math. Twenty-two of (the recipients) were African-American and only 19 were Hispanic. Even a few students can change national numbers significantly.
Moyer: What advice can you offer other undergraduate students involved in mathematics?
Reza: Get involved in research, talk to professors as much as possible, get involved with other math organizations and try to work with peers. Also, tutoring is a great way to keep material fresh.
Moyer: What are your favorite hobbies?
Reza: I love to work out, which includes playing basketball and running. I’m currently teaching myself how to speak French. I also like to scope around hardware stores. I’m like a kid in a candy store.
Moyer: What is your guilty pleasure?
Reza: I would have to say coffee. I can’t go a day without it. It’s by far my biggest temptation.
