The Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls

Dr Angela Tabiri, affectionately known as the Maths Queen in Ghana, has made a remarkable achievement by becoming the first African to win The Big Internet Math Off competition. This is a significant milestone for someone who initially did not plan to pursue a career in mathematics. At 35 years old, Dr Tabiri finds immense joy in solving puzzles and tackling mathematical questions. She hopes that her victory in 2024 will inspire other African women to explore the world of mathematics, a field that has traditionally seen fewer female participants. The competition featured 16 mathematicians competing for the playful title of 'the world's most interesting mathematician. ' This event, which began in 2018, is organized by The Aperiodical blog. The inaugural winner was Dr Nira Chamberlain, who made history as the first black mathematician to be included in the British reference book Who's Who. During the competition, the mathematicians faced off in pairs, progressing through quarter-finals and semi-finals until one was crowned the winner for their ability to explain their chosen mathematical concept in the most engaging manner. Dr Tabiri's area of expertise lies in quantum algebra, a fascinating branch of mathematics that she researches at the Ghana branch of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (Aims). Aims, which started in South Africa, has expanded to several African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, and Rwanda, to provide postgraduate training and research opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In addition to her research, Dr Tabiri serves as the academic manager for the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme, a mentoring initiative aimed at supporting high school girls in Ghana. Launched by Aims-Ghana in 2020, this program seeks to create a pipeline of young girls who will lead in research and innovation within the mathematical sciences, both in academia and industry. Dr Tabiri is determined to break the stereotype that mathematics is a 'boy's subject. ' She emphasizes that the number of girls and boys studying mathematics in high school is roughly equal, but this balance shifts dramatically at the university level. Many female students believe that pursuing mathematics will only lead to teaching jobs, as the field is still perceived as male-dominated, and there are few female role models to look up to. Dr Tabiri is actively working to change this narrative. However, her journey into the world of mathematics was not straightforward. Growing up in Ashaiman, a densely populated and economically challenged neighborhood in Tema, which is located about an hour's drive east of Accra, the capital of Ghana, Dr Tabiri faced numerous challenges. Her family home was filled with love and laughter, but it was also noisy, as she has four sisters. To find a quiet space to study, she often sought refuge at the local youth community center. Initially, she aspired to follow in the footsteps of two of her sisters and study business administration at university. She recalls, 'Numbers and puzzles fascinated me - but I never thought a career in math was for me. ' However, her academic performance, while commendable, did not meet the requirements for business administration, leading her to be accepted into a program for mathematics and economics instead. Dr Tabiri now views this as a blessing in disguise. In 2015, she received a scholarship to pursue her PhD at Glasgow University in Scotland. The experience was challenging, but it was during this time that she encountered a pivotal moment in her life. She watched the film Hidden Figures, which tells the inspiring story of black American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the 1950s, a time marked by segregation in the United States. Dr Tabiri was particularly moved by the story of Katherine Johnson, whose exceptional mathematical skills were crucial to the success of US space missions. She recalls, 'It was amazing seeing the story of these black women told on that global stage. I had a lot of goosebumps watching it. ' Inspired by Katherine Johnson's perseverance, Dr Tabiri realized that she must continue to push forward in her own journey. 'If your work is not even recognized now, it will be recognized sometime in the future. It was a real turning point for me. ' In 2024, Ghana reached a historic milestone when Dr Gloria Botchway became the first woman to graduate with a PhD in mathematics from the University of Ghana. Dr Tabiri is dedicated to supporting other African girls and women from less privileged backgrounds in pursuing their mathematical dreams through her non-profit organization, FemAfricMaths. Alongside a team of volunteers, she provides lessons to young high school students both in person and online. Additionally, she shares interviews with leading female mathematicians from around the world on social media platforms. Dr Tabiri is also deeply passionate about the potential of quantum science and technology, fields that rely heavily on mathematics. She takes pride in Ghana's role, supported by Mexico, in proposing that 2025 be declared the UN International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of modern quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics explores the interactions of ultra-tiny particles, the fundamental building blocks of matter, energy, and light, and has led to groundbreaking advancements such as the internet, solar cells, and global navigation satellite systems. Researchers and major tech companies worldwide, including those from China, the US, the UK, Australia, and South Africa, are racing to develop quantum technologies, including quantum computers and ultra-precise measuring devices. The hope is that these innovations will solve complex problems at unprecedented speeds and lead to significant advancements in fields such as medicine, environmental science, food production, and cybersecurity. Dr Tabiri states, 'There are lots of conversations now - the advantages and disadvantages - the jobs that will be created. ' She envisions a future where children are encouraged to aim high and believes that Africa's rapidly growing population, already the youngest in the world, will become the largest workforce by 2040. However, she cautions that this does not guarantee job opportunities for everyone. To address this, Dr Tabiri hopes to organize a 'quantum road show' to introduce schoolchildren to quantum science at an earlier age than she experienced. 'We want young people to start developing an interest in and building all the relevant skills during their basic schooling,' she explains. The road show will be based on a recent quantum computing course she conducted for secondary school girls attending classes at Aims-Ghana during their holidays. This course covered the fundamentals of building a quantum computer, its current challenges, and the implications of quantum computing for existing systems, such as cryptography. In collaboration with UNESCO, Dr Tabiri will also host a week-long 'Quantum Hackathon' in July at Aims-Ghana for approximately 40 postgraduate students from various African countries. 'We want them to use their quantum skills to solve some of the greatest challenges that we face, real-life problems,' she emphasizes. 'It's very urgent that we position our youth for this next big revolution.