A mathematics professor from Taipei City-based National Taiwan University is winner of the 2019 Taiwan Outstanding Women in Science Award for her research in geometric analysis.
Lee Yng-ing is recognized as a leader in the fields of symplectic and Riemannian geometry, which paved the way for Einstein’s future work on relativity, as well as Lagrangian and other submanifolds.
At the award presentation ceremony, Lee said mathematics holds the key to understanding the world. Unlike physics or chemistry that require equipment and dedicated facilities to conduct experiments, the study of mathematics is free from such constraints, she added.
In addition to advancing mathematical research, Lee is known for her dedication to promoting math education in Taiwan. She is credited with improving curriculum planning across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
According to Lee, women possess the right stuff to make a mark in mathematics. She urged more students to follow in her footsteps and overcome the sole barrier to excellence: a lack of self-confidence.
Other 2019 TOWSA honorees are Ren Hao-jia, an associate professor from NTU’s Department of Geosciences and Chou Yi-chia, an associate professor from National Chiao Tung University’s Department of Electrophysics in Hsinchu City, northern Taiwan. Both received a Rising Star Award.
Ren was recognized for her research on the impact of human activities and natural factors on the marine nitrogen cycle, while Chou was lauded for her work on phase transformation in solids and low-dimensional nanomaterials.
TOWAS, jointly organized by Taipei-based Wu Chien-shiung Scholarship Foundation, was first presented in 2008 and carries prize money of NT$600,000 (US$19,425).
Inspired by the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards, TOWAS aims to improve the position of women in science by recognizing outstanding female researchers who have contributed to scientific progress. (SFC-E)
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