The female face 'dominating' the field of cryptography says the most meaningful thing to her is her three children

Professor Yael Tauman Kalai shares at the HLF 2024 Computer Science Conference in Germany – Photo: CONG NHAT

It’s only when you dig deeper into Yael that most people are shocked by what this woman is all about. One of the few female scientists in the field of cryptography, Yael Tauman Kalai earned her PhD in computer science from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a school that consistently tops the rankings of the best universities in the United States). And of all her achievements, the most meaningful of all are… her three children!

The author had the opportunity to meet and interview Ms. Yael privately at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2024 in Germany.

* Graduated with honors from top schools, your school days must have been smooth?

– It seems like the opposite is true (laughs). In high school, I was often complained by teachers because there were years when I missed up to 150 classes.

At that time, I found school boring, teaching things I could learn on my own. That’s why I often dreamed about going on trips and surfing in class. I remember when I wanted to go out but my family forbade it, I “negotiated” with my father to give me a math problem.

“No matter how difficult it is, when I solve it, you have to let me go out,” I told him, and luckily I was let out every time.

* When did your academic path "change"?

– It was only when I entered Hebrew University (Jerusalem) and studied mathematics more deeply that I gradually discovered the wonderful beauty of this subject.

To be more precise, I knew I loved and was good at math since I was a child, but the general education curriculum was not challenging or interesting enough. That is why I think the role of the school and the teacher is extremely important in helping young children love a subject.

The lectures and knowledge of mathematics at university level inspired me strongly. I still remember the first time I sat and studied passionately from morning till night. The beauty of mathematics is that it is very clear, helping me change myself. I became more humble because mathematics helped me realize that our intuition is subjective, not always right.

I can calculate complexly but think very simply in everyday life. Perhaps this personality also helps my life to be quite easy, not worrying much about other people's judgments about gender and behavior.

Professor Yael Tauman Kalai

Professor Yael Tauman Kalai is active in everyday life – Photo: QTM

* You love math but you chose to study computer science?

– Because I believe that computer science will contribute to changing the future and human life. I am especially interested in the field of cryptography because I am always troubled by thoughts such as whether the messages we receive every day are really “original”, whether the sender is someone we know, the ability to authenticate data in current storage methods… The complexity of this field is what interests me.

* How do you balance your time while doing research and taking care of three young children?

– This question makes me embarrassed because I don’t think I did a good job. My little daughter even suggested setting up a scientific committee for me to present on the concept of “balance” because she thought I didn’t do a good job.

I consider myself very lucky to have a husband who is always enthusiastic to stand by his wife. At the same time, I know that I am always very happy in every moment with my children. I have three children now but I always want to have more. For me, my children are the best thing, the greatest and most meaningful achievement that I have in my life.

Research sometimes makes us lose track of time and space, but that doesn’t mean we have the right to forget about our children. I feel sorry for some women who decide to wait or trade having children for their careers.

* Can I ask in more detail how you spend time with your children and yourself?

– I accept sacrificing some things in my career because I know that my children will not live with me forever. And once I give up an opportunity, I will not regret it, I will only focus on the present instead of worrying about the future or being sad about the past, about things that cannot be changed anymore.

I am not the traditional type of woman who usually takes care of cooking, laundry, cleaning, gardening… I think I have a good enough income to hire someone to do those things. This not only helps others earn more income but also gives me more time to do meaningful things like research, chatting with my children and husband.

At the same time, I always focus on each task to achieve the highest efficiency in the shortest time, thereby having more time for my children.

Professor Yael Tauman Kalai said she forces herself to be very disciplined, to do her best in the tasks or positions assigned to her, to become a better version of herself every day - Photo: QTM

I had to be very disciplined.

* What are the challenges of a world- renowned scientist, busy with management, teaching and research in a male-dominated field?

– I am lucky. Part of my luck comes from the fact that I force myself to be very disciplined, to do my best in the tasks or positions assigned to me, and to become a better version of myself every day.

I am not a very sensitive person. My mother often jokes that I am not sensitive at all. I can calculate complexly but think very simply in everyday life, perhaps this personality also helps my life to be quite easy, not worrying much about other people's judgments about gender and behavior.

Top world's most influential women in technology

As one of the few female scientists in the field of cryptography, Yael is currently a senior advisor at Microsoft, a professor at MIT and is consistently ranked among the world's most influential women in technology.

Among her many achievements, we can mention the most prestigious award in the field of computer science ACM Computing (with a reward of 250,000 USD), the Microsoft Research Outstanding Scientist Award...

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/guong-mat-nu-thong-tri-linh-vuc-mat-ma-hoc-noi-dieu-y-nghia-nhat-cua-ba-la-ba-dua-con-20241108230223068.htm