My parents separated after my father resigned his university position to focus on his inventions, and my mother then finished her education and becam… - Kathleen Adebola Okikiolu

My father ... went on to a position in the mathematics department of the University of East Anglia. While I was growing up, the elementary school I attended was extremely ethnically homogeneous. I was unable to escape from heavy issues concerning race, which my mother always explained in a political context.

I would like to thank John Garnett for a lot of very helpful advice.

Although I cannot claim to find it easy to balance my ambitions in mathematical research with the desire to be a good parent, to be an inspiring teacher, or to effect positive social change in the world, I do feel very fortunate to be able to spend my life tackling these challenges, which are extremely interesting and important to me.