Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

My older brother was the person who got me interested in science in general. He used to tell me what he learned…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I grew up in a family with three siblings. My parents were always very supportive and encouraging. It was important for them…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I don't have any particular recipe. It is the reason why doing research is challenging as well as attractive. It is like…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I don't give up easily.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

The most rewarding part of my work is the "Aha" moment, the excitement of discovery and enjoyment of understanding something new -…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I don't think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don't give mathematics a real chance.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

In particular, I am interested in understanding hyperbolic surfaces.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I don't think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don't give mathematics a real chance.…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I don't get easily disappointed.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I'm quite confident, in some sense.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

I find discussing mathematics with colleagues of different backgrounds one of the most productive ways of making progress.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

When I entered Harvard, my background was mostly combinatorics and algebra.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

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

— Maryam Mirzakhani

As a graduate student at Harvard, I had to explain quite a few times that I was allowed to attend a university…

— Maryam Mirzakhani

It is invaluable to have a friend who shares your interests and helps you stay motivated.

— Maryam Mirzakhani

Most problems I work on are related to geometric structures on surfaces and their deformations.

— Maryam Mirzakhani