Carol S. Woodward facts for kids
Carol San Soucie Woodward is a brilliant American mathematician. She uses computers to solve very complex science problems. She works at a special place called Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In 2017, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). This honor was given to her for creating and using computer programs that help with huge science simulations.
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Carol Woodward's Early Life and Education
Carol Ann San Soucie, as she was known then, loved math from a young age. She studied mathematics at Louisiana State University (LSU). There, she earned her first degree in math.
Her Advanced Studies
After LSU, Carol went to Rice University for her advanced studies. She worked with two important professors, Clint Dawson and Mary Wheeler. She earned her doctorate degree from Rice in 1996. Her special project, called a dissertation, was about how to use math to understand how water flows through soil.
Working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
In 1996, Carol Woodward joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This is a big research center where scientists work on many important projects.
Leading the SUNDIALS Project
At LLNL, Carol is in charge of something called the SUNDIALS project. SUNDIALS is a set of computer programs. These programs help scientists run simulations, which are like virtual experiments. They help solve difficult math problems that change over time. This is very important for understanding how things work in the real world, like weather patterns or how materials behave.
Supporting Women in Mathematics
Carol Woodward is also very active in helping other women who want to work in math and science.
Her Role in AWM
She has been an important member of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). From 2016 to 2020, she was part of the AWM's main committee. She also led the committee that gives out awards for AWM from 2016 to 2018.
AWM Fellow Recognition
Because of her dedication, Carol Woodward was chosen as a Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics in 2021. This award recognized her strong commitment to supporting and encouraging women in math. She helped through her work with AWM, SIAM, and other groups that promote women in science.