Manil Suri

Manil Suri is a Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He has held this position since 1983, following his Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is also an affiliate professor of the UMBC Asian Studies program and was appointed Distinguished University Professor in 2014. His research focuses on applied mathematics, numerical analysis, and mathematical modeling, with a particular emphasis on finite element methods and computational problems in mechanics.

He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times since 2015, specializing in mathematics, India, and LGBTQ+ rights. His book The Big Bang of Numbers (2022) explores foundational mathematical concepts and their philosophical implications, earning a Finalist nod for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Suri actively advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion, listed in UMBC’s outlist of self-identified faculty.

His work has been funded by NSF, NIH, and other agencies, and he emphasizes applied mathematics in education and outreach, bridging technical rigor with public engagement.