Phoebe D. (IN A NUTSHELL)
Phoebe is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Political Science at Brown University. Choosing to pursue math was not an easy decision for Phoebe. While she has always had a love for the field, she never really felt at home amongst other mathematicians, fearing that she was not “good enough” or that a woman like herself could not succeed in such a male-dominated discipline. She also always had a strong passion for design and fashion and feared if she chose to study math she would close a door on that creativity. However, as she continued her studies in calculus and geometry, Phoebe began to see that math and fashion can be very interrelated. She saw the curves of a dress's bodice as a replica of mathematical equations and sat in awe as she learned of flat diagrams of multidimensional topological spaces which so clearly resembled flat patterns used to construct garments. The two worlds of fashion and math were so connected. After presenting these findings to her professors, Phoebe received much support and love from the department and felt confident declaring her second concentration in math. She has since completed a research project connecting topology and fashion that culminated in a spring runway show.
Phoebe understands the struggle of feeling like one does not belong or is not “good at math”, and is inspired to change this narrative and make the world of math a welcoming and safe space. She has spent the last two and a half years working as a teaching fellow for Brown’s math department to restructure the department and focus on making all students feel welcomed and supported. Inspiring others to pursue their creativity and succeed in math is one of Phoebe’s great passions, and she hopes to build up confidence in her mentees and support them to follow their dreams.
Outside of her academic studies, Phoebe is a coxswain for Brown Women's Crew and is also the Director of Fashion at Brown's Design Team. She has worked one on one with designers in New York and Berlin, styling musical groups and constructing garments for Marvel shows, and is excited to share the beauty and craziness of the fashion industry with passionate mentees.
