Dr. Jim Lin, Mathematics Department
Graduate Education:
Princeton University
Undergraduate Education:
UC Berkeley
Education Abroad:
Gottingen, Germany
What inspired you to go into teaching?
When I got my PhD, I did not see teaching as my main goal. The economy was rough at the time and I figured I just needed to get a job, any job. Now that I am teaching, I am inspired by the contributions I can make to my students. It is a privilege to be around people who are growing and trying new things. As Graduate Vice Chair of the Math Department I get to play a role in helping students get their Masters degree or their Ph.D.
Who is someone who motivated you? Why?
My father was an amazing person. Before I was born, he built the first modern airplane in China in a cave while the Japanese were occupying the country. He not only built this plane while suffering from malaria, but he also risked his life on its maiden voyage. He had tremendous drive and passion. I was moved by his desire to make a difference for his country.
I spent my junior year in college on the UC Education Abroad Program in Gottingen, Germany. There I discovered the area of mathematics called topology. This is an area of mathematics where one assumes all geometric objects are made of flexible rubber. I was fascinated with it and even more surprised that one could make a living studying it. I love creating new mathematics in this area.
I learned to be around an environment where exciting things were happening. During my career at UCSD, I especially enjoy working together with other people to create something new. The university is a great place for this. In 1986 Muir College Provost John Stewart encouraged me to teach the first Asian American Studies course at UCSD. Through the enthusiasm and energy of many students, staff and faculty here, this first course was the catalyst for the creation of the 2nd PhD program in Asian American Studies in the country here at UCSD. This PhD program is now part of the Ethnic Studies Department.
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or deceased, who would it be and why?
Nelson Mandela captures my imagination. To be imprisoned for over 30 years of his life and yet to be able to befriend his prison guards and to transform his country amazes me. Ghandhi and now Barack Obama inspire me.
What is your favorite book?
I recently read 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen. I enjoyed it because it was an account of a single person who was able to build schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tell me the worst excuse you have ever been given by a student.
There was this student who snuck into my final exam last year to “help her sorority sister take the final."
What could a student do to impress you?
I am impressed by students who share their goals. It provides an opening for me to scan my knowledge of the university and go out of my way to tell them what opportunities I know might be there for them.
There are plenty of students here who are very bright and talented, but they often fear failure to the extent that they only see themselves pursuing very modest goals. I am most impressed by those students who at first fail at something and then get back up and work hard and overcome failures. Some students totally bomb my first exams, but then they come for help and I am inspired when they eventually succeed.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love my family and my two daughters who are now 17 and 14. My oldest daughter has written some articles for the San Diego Union about the American Idol contest, so I have become an American Idol fan.
As a family, we have traveled a lot in recent years. We spent three months together in Japan while I was on sabbatical. We went to see the White House after Obama got elected. We went snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and also in Maui. We will be in the Mud Run November 22. Anything to do with fish interests me. I have recently been doing a lot of deep sea fishing on the <= day boats. I caught some yellowfin tuna and also a dorado last summer! I raise koi in my backyard pond and have aquariums in my house. I play tennis in a league and go watch the pros at Indian Wells near Palm Springs in March. I feel very, very fortunate to have such a rich wonderful life.
