Detroit native's journey from Math Corps to Wayne State Ph.D., David Patwin
David Patwin, a Detroit native and current graduate teaching assistant at Wayne State University, is on the cusp of earning his Ph.D. in Mathematics, focusing on partial differential equations and free boundary problems. His academic path began unexpectedly at Wayne State's Math Corps program in 2010, where he discovered his passion for mathematics. David recounts his experience and journey at Wayne State.
Wow! I don’t know where to begin. This journey has been full of ups and downs, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that success is not a linear path. While I haven’t yet reached my ultimate goals, I am confident that I’m moving in the right direction. Along the way, I’ve achieved things I once thought were out of reach, coming from my background as an inner-city kid from Detroit.
Currently, I’m a graduate teaching assistant at Wayne State where I focus on partial differential equations, specifically free boundary problems. It’s an incredible honor, especially considering where my journey with Wayne State began. In the summer of 2010, I was a nervous, rising eighth-grade student entering State Hall at the Wayne State University Math Corps, with dreams of becoming a lawyer. Through Math Corps, however, my love for mathematics awoke. It was there that I gained confidence, learned essential life values and found my passion for teaching. From those first steps on campus to now, I’ve been through so much—loss, health challenges and more—but I have gained even more than I could ever have imagined.
In 2019, I earned my bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science, followed by a Master of Science in Mathematics in 2021. I’ve been honored with several awards at Wayne State, including the Dean’s Diversity Fellowship and numerous scholarships. I share these achievements not to boast, but with a deep sense of humility, viewing them as milestones that reflect my dedication and perseverance. But I haven’t been alone in this journey. Countless individuals—family, classmates, professors, mentors and even strangers—have contributed to my path and I’m grateful for their support. I am determined to make them proud.
Next up
Looking ahead, my goal is to secure a position where I can fully engage in my love for teaching and research, ultimately as a professor. Research is my compass—a way to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of understanding. Each small step, each insight, feels like unlocking part of a larger puzzle. In studying partial differential equations and free boundary problems, I’m not just solving equations; I’m adding to a shared legacy of knowledge. This pursuit of new ideas makes research not just a job but a calling (see my research statement).
Teaching is where my love for helping others and connecting with people truly comes alive. There’s nothing more rewarding than guiding someone from confusion to clarity, seeing that proverbial light bulb go off. I thrive on the exchange of ideas with my students, each interaction deepening my own understanding as well as theirs. Teaching isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about building confidence, inspiring curiosity and creating a shared learning journey (see my teaching philosophy).
Through adversity and the odds stacked against me, I’ve stayed true to myself—and that, I believe, is my greatest success.
