Professor, department of mathematics and computing, Mount Royal University

Dr. Pamini Thangarajah is known for her strong leadership in the creation of a minor in mathematics in the faculty of science and technology at Mount Royal University, as well as a minor in mathematics for elementary education. A research mentor who is often asked to appear at conferences, Thangarajah has authored five widely viewed creative-common licensed next-generation digital resources currently being used in more than 20 countries. She was co-organizer of the Alberta Mathematics Dialogue in 2004, 2011 and 2016, and is one of the organizers of Explore STEM, a one-day conference for Grade 9 girls interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering,and mathematics. In 2018, Explore STEM drew around 1,000 students to hands-on events at MRU, SAIT and the University of Calgary. “In 1999, when we started this event, post-secondary institutions had way less female students. Now, there are often more female than male students. But fewer females pursue STEM careers,” Dr. Thangarajah says. “We need to increase their awareness, excitement and confidence that they can do this.” 

Dr. Thangarajah has been recognized with the Provost’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grant (2017, 2018, 2019) and in 2018, she received both the prestigious Distinguished Faculty Award and Open Education Champion Award from the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University.