Dr. Noureen Khan, an associate professor of mathematics at UNT Dallas, has received the international honor of being named a Fulbright Scholar for the third time.
The Fulbright Program, which aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other
countries, is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. As a grantee, Dr. Khan joins
the ranks of distinguished participants in the Program. Fulbright alumni have become heads of state, judges, ambassadors, cabinet
ministers, CEOs, and university presidents, as well as leading journalists, artists, scientists, and teachers. They include 58 Nobel
Laureates, 82 Pulitzer Prize winners, 31 MacArthur Fellows, 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, and thousands of leaders
across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Since its inception in 1946, more than 370,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in
the Program.
As a Fulbright recipient and a representative of the United States, Dr. Khan will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with international partners in educational, political, cultural, economic, and scientific fields. She will have opportunities to engage also in the local community while on her Fulbright exchange to Qatar in an effort to exemplify the qualities of service, leadership, and excellence that have been hallmarks of the Program for 70 years.
In addition to her Fulbright awards, Khan also has received five grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Mathematical Association of America (MAA) in as many years. Dr. Khan's ability to acquire such funding coupled with her desire to teach empowers UNT Dallas students who will become the world’s future mathematicians.
“While I enjoy research, one of my favorite moments as a professor is watching a non-math major understand basic algebra for the first time. Math doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s everywhere, and it’s wonderful.”
Khan started her career as a medical student, but soon realized it wasn’t the right path. It took her too far away from family, something she holds dear. Before she left school, however, she promised her mother that one day she would still become a doctor. She would earn her Ph.D. Today she continues to make her family proud as she balances research on knot theory and Alzheimer’s, her love of teaching algebra to non-math majors, mentoring student researchers, and the demands of traveling the world as a Fulbright Specialist in Math Education.
“My mother once told me that receiving something once is a gift, and twice is a blessing. My Fulbright awards are very much a blessing, as I can now share my love of math with the world.”
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Date: April 6, 2017
By: Ashley Johnson, PR/Communication Director, Ashley.Johnson@untdallas.edu, 972-338-1098
