Suzanne Lenhart facts for kids

Suzanne Marie Lenhart, born on November 19, 1954, is an American mathematician. She studies special types of math called partial differential equations and optimal control. She also works in mathematical biology, which uses math to understand living things. Dr. Lenhart is a top professor of mathematics at the University of Tennessee. She also helps with teaching and reaching out to people at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis. Plus, she is a part-time researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Suzanne Lenhart's Early Life and Education

Suzanne Lenhart grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She went to Catholic schools there. For her college studies, she attended Bellarmine College in Louisville.

At Bellarmine, her teacher, Ralph Grimaldi, encouraged her to continue studying math. He even gave her extra lessons in number theory. This helped her get ready for graduate school.

She then went to the University of Kentucky for her advanced degrees. At first, she wasn't sure what part of math she wanted to focus on. But in her second year, she chose to study partial differential equations. She earned her doctorate degree in 1981. Her main teacher for this was Lawrence C. Evans.

Suzanne Lenhart's Career Journey

Right after finishing her doctorate, Dr. Lenhart started working at the University of Tennessee. She became a professor there. In 1987, she also began working part-time at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Awards and Special Honors

Dr. Lenhart has received many important awards and honors for her work in mathematics.

• In 1997, she was chosen as an AWM/MAA Falconer Lecturer. This is a special talk given by women mathematicians.
• From 2001 to 2003, she was the president of the Association for Women in Mathematics. This group supports women in math.
• In 2010, she was named the AWM/SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecturer. She received this honor for her important research in different areas of math. These areas include partial differential equations and optimal control.
• Also in 2010, she was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
• In 2011, she became a Chancellor's Professor at the University of Tennessee. This is a very high honor for a professor. She also became a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).
• In 2013, she was chosen as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS). She was part of the very first group of people to receive this honor.
• In 2017, she was also selected as a fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics. Again, she was in the first group to get this award.
• In 2022, Dr. Lenhart was asked to be on a special committee. This committee helps choose who gives important talks for the AAAS and AMS.