Mary Wheeler facts for kids

Mary Fanett Wheeler (born December 28, 1938) is an American mathematician. She is famous for her work on how computers can solve complex math problems. These problems often involve things that change over time and space, like how water flows or heat spreads.

In 1998, Mary Wheeler was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This was because of her amazing work in using computers to model how liquids flow underground. She also developed the math rules (algorithms) that made these models possible. In 2009, she received the Theodore von Kármán Prize from a group called Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). This award is given for outstanding math work that helps industry.

Early Life and Education

Mary Fanett Wheeler was born in Cuero, Texas, on December 28, 1938. She loved learning and studied two main subjects at the University of Texas: social sciences and mathematics. She earned degrees in both in 1960.

She continued her studies and earned a master's degree in 1963. Her master's project focused on a special math method called the Peaceman-Rachford method. Later, she earned her PhD from Rice University in 1971. Her PhD advisor was Henry H. Rachford, Jr.

What Kind of Math Does She Do?

Mary Wheeler studies a type of math called finite element analysis. This method helps scientists and engineers solve very complicated problems. She also works on problems related to porous media. Imagine a sponge or soil – these are porous media because they have tiny holes that liquids or gases can move through.

Solving Real-World Problems

Mary Wheeler uses her math skills to help solve important real-world problems. For example, she helps the oil industry understand how to get oil out of the ground more efficiently. She also works on environmental issues. This includes cleaning up underground water sources that have been polluted. She also studies how to store carbon dioxide deep underground to help fight climate change.

Her work has even helped the United States Army Corps of Engineers. She has worked with them on environmental projects in important areas like the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and Florida Bay.

Mary Wheeler once said something interesting about her work: "To me it is important to see your work used." This means she likes to see her math ideas actually help people and solve problems in the real world.

Where Has She Worked?

Mary Wheeler taught and did research at Rice University from 1971 to 1995. For two years, from 1988 to 1990, she also worked at the University of Houston.

In 1995, she moved to the University of Texas at Austin. There, she became the director of the Center for Subsurface Modeling. This center is part of the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences. She is also a registered Professional Engineer in Texas, which means she is officially recognized for her engineering skills.

In 1989, she gave a very important talk called the Noether Lecture for the Association for Women in Mathematics. Her talk was about "Large Scale Modeling of Problems Arising in Flow in Porous Media." This means she talked about using computers to solve big problems related to how things flow through materials with tiny holes.

Awards and Honors

Mary Wheeler has received many important awards for her contributions to mathematics:

• Noether Lecture (1989) – A special lecture given by a leading woman in mathematics.
• Theodore von Kármán Prize (2009) – An award for outstanding math work that helps industry.
• Humboldt Prize (2011) – An award from Germany for top international scientists and scholars.

Important Groups She Belongs To

Mary Wheeler is a member of several important scientific and engineering groups:

• Fellow, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
• Society of Petroleum Engineers
• Fellow, International Association for Computational Mechanics
• National Academy of Engineering
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences

See also

In Spanish: Mary Wheeler para niños