Impact

‘Why do I need to know this?’ Padhu Seshaiyer, Ph.D. ’98, on why math matters

Jan 22, 2026 • By Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15

UMBC alumnus Padmanabhan Seshaiyer's mission is to make math relevant for students and prepare them for an increasingly data-driven world. His work helps close the gap for students between "how" to solve a math problem and "why" it matters.