Students Say Leise Inspired Them To Achieve Goals

Continued from page 1 beyond the college — in her field, but also in the lives of her students.

“Her 2006 co-authored (with Kurt Bryan) article on the linear algebra behind Google is considered a landmark expository piece,” Epstein wrote.

Jack Liebersohn ’09, assistant professor in economics at the University of California, Irvine, said that Leise’s coverage of the topic was given at a time where Google was a newer application, it felt extremely relevant.

Learning about the math behind the website made him feel like he was “on the cutting edge” of mathematics, Liebersohn said.

Through taking linear algebra with applications with Leise, Liebersohn said that it felt like he was really learning, a change from the “contrived word problems” that other math classes employ.

“Part of the reason I took the class was because it was supposed to be easy,” Liebersohn said. “But it turned out that the reason it was easy was because she taught the challenging material so well … so intuitively.”

Jin shared her gratitude for having been able to work with Leise, “and seen how her incredible mind works. It is a real sadness that she is no longer with us,” she said.

Jin added that working with Leise made her realize that she wanted to pursue a career in applied mathematics and biostatistics.

“I had no coding experience prior to college and I was daunted by it,” Jin said. “Being immersed in [coding] with her guidance showed me that with the right instructor, it is very accessible and possible.”

Liebersohn said he constantly thinks about the lessons he’s learned from Leise.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get a finance PhD if I hadn’t majored in math,” Liebersohn said. “I wouldn’t have majored in math if I hadn’t taken a class and been advised by [Leise].”

“I can’t overstate how much of an effect she had on me,” Liebersohn continued. “She was one of the kindest professors I knew and I took it for granted. Having become a professor myself now, with a young child, I realize how much work it was for her, in addition to the research that gets you tenure … but she made it seem like it was what she was happiest to do in the world.”

Editor’s Note: Leise’s colleagues in the math department collectively declined to be interviewed for this article, expressing their feeling that they would be unable to do full justice to her memory by commenting at this moment. They also wished to respect Leise’s family’s privacy. The Student will follow up at a later date to more fully commemorate Leise’s legacy.