Paula Grafton Young, MS, PhD
Professor of Mathematics
Professional and Community Leadership Experience and Expertise
- Theoretical mathematical physics
- Functional analysis
- Dynamical systems
- Population & epidemic modeling
Salem Through My Eyes
In over 30 years of teaching at Salem, I find that my greatest joy is living vicariously through the accomplishments of our students and graduates. It is thrilling to watch them grow into confident, competent, vocal leaders and scholars and to move on to phenomenal lives after Salem, whether they be teachers, professors, researchers, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, physical therapists, civil engineers, business consultants, professional artists, musicians or community leaders. Salem fosters growth; every day, I get to play a small part in that growth.
Fun Facts
- I’m a nerd, through and through.
- I read science fiction, and non-fiction mathematics, physics, archaeology, anthropology, and history. But, my secret is that I can blend all of that into playing computer RPGs. If you want to talk MCU (Scarlet Witch is the strongest Avenger), Star Trek, Babylon 5, or Skyrim, or if you’d rather have a chat about how our Hindu-Arabic numeral system and Latin alphabet came into prominence due to early African, Asian and European trade markets, I’m ready!
- I also like to cook foods from different cultures — I make a mean Vietnamese curry dish and have been known to spend a Saturday making banana-leaf wrapped tamales or Turkish stuffed grape leaves.
- Three things are always in my fridge — imported Sriracha, Thai seasoning sauce, aka soy sauce, and “banana ketchup” from the Philippines.