Aparna Higgins facts for kids

Aparna W. Higgins is a mathematician. She is famous for helping college students get involved in math research. She used to study something called universal algebra. Now, she mostly works on graph theory. This includes topics like graph pebbling and line graphs. She teaches math at the University of Dayton.

Her Journey in Math

Aparna Higgins was born in Mumbai, India. She went to the University of Mumbai for her first degree. She finished there in 1978. Later, she earned her Ph.D. (a very high degree) in 1983. She got this degree from the University of Notre Dame. Her Ph.D. work was about complex math ideas.

In 2009, she became the head of Project NExT. This project helps new math Ph.D. graduates. It gives them advice about their careers. This program is run by the Mathematical Association of America.

Aparna Higgins is married to Bill Higgins. He is also a math professor. They often take time off together. They spend this time in California.

Awards and Honors

Aparna Higgins has won several important awards. In 1995, she received a teaching award. This was from the Mathematical Association of America. She won it for helping students with math research.

In 2005, she won another big award. It was the Deborah and Franklin Haimo Award. This award is for excellent college math teachers. She was one of three winners that year.