The Calculus of Approachability: How a PhD Candidate is Making Math Fun
By: Maisie O'Brien
Ishaan Sood, AG24, a PhD candidate in the Math Department, balances studying abstract algebra and contemplating complex theory with an equally deep commitment to teaching. A teaching assistant for various calculus courses, Sood is beloved by his students for his accessible, creative approach to math.
His unique style is signified by Frank, a red panda stuffed animal who is a humorous fixture in his office and assignments. For example, a multivariable calculus question might read: "If Frank and Jumbo (Tufts’ elephant mascot) are skiing down a hill, what is the direction of fastest descent that will help Frank win the race?" Frank is even pictured holding the syllabus on Sood’s online course page.
“It’s a funny bit that helps make me approachable,” Sood says. “I want students to feel comfortable reaching out to me with any questions. I don’t want them to see me as a strict authority figure. I want them to be engaged and enjoy learning math like I do.”
Sood complements his creative style by committing to learning the name of every student –even in sections of up to 60– and holds his popular office hours on nights and weekends, times most convenient for undergraduates. He also assures students they can reach out to him for math help even after the course is over, a commitment many take him up on.
“A lot of people outside the world of math are scared of math and struggle with it,” Sood reflects. “That’s why I enjoy teaching it. I love being able to share my point of view about how numbers move, how things click and come together. It’s a beautiful topic, especially when it’s taught well, and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel intimidated by it.”
Zachary Faubion, Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics, supervised Sood when he was his TA. “Ishaan is an excellent teacher and goes above and beyond what’s required quite often. The students rave about him,” says Faubion. “He’s passionate about math and is always trying to find new and creative ways to teach it. He would make a great math professor.”
Fulton Gonzalez, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Math Department, echoes the sentiment: “Ishaan is often found in the hallways or quiet corners of the Mathematics Department, engaged in conversation with his peers or undergraduate students. He has become a valued resource for others, known for his warmth, generosity, and remarkable clarity in explaining mathematical ideas.”
Sood’s current passion for academics contrasts sharply with his early years. Recalling his time as a high school student in Mumbai, India, he admits, “I was the student who wouldn’t do his homework and my grades reflected that. Fortunately, my math and computer science test scores were good, so I applied to universities to study those subjects. I didn’t have a lot of direction early on.”
While studying computer science at Purdue University in Indiana, Sood discovered a love for algebra and for tutoring students at Purdue’s Academic Success Center. “I love the game aspect of algebra,” Sood says. “It’s like a puzzle and you’re trying to figure out how the different elements work together. I want to see how far I can go with math, especially pure mathematics which focuses on theory and abstract concepts.”
After receiving a partial scholarship to Tufts' master’s program, Sood enrolled in the PhD program. He values the Math Department's collegial atmosphere. “It’s a pretty close-knit community,” he says. “Every time I walk down the hall, I say hi to 10 to 20 people. All the PhD students and professors know each other, and everyone is so approachable and chill. I’ve become a more outgoing person here.”
Sood is an active member of the Tufts community, playing on the Math Department’s softball team over the summer and participating in chess tournaments, soccer games, and tennis matches organized by graduate students.
Outside of Tufts, Sood appreciates Boston’s vibrant academic scene. “Being at Tufts, just outside Boston, is my first experience in a major US city,” he says. "There’s so many amazing things going on, particularly the math network with schools like MIT, Harvard, BU, and BC so close by. I’m always hearing about their seminars and events, and it’s possible to take courses at other colleges, which is really cool.”
Contemplating his future, Sood hopes to continue teaching math, ideally as a college professor, inspired by his faculty mentors and his father whose work ethic he admires. When Sood isn’t teaching, studying, or taking classes, he can be found running along the Charles River, playing video games, and collecting Pokémon cards.
Photographs by McKenna Yoshinobu