Graduate Student Post: José Saul Barbosa
We are delighted to welcome José Saul Barbosa, first-year mathematics education doctoral
student, to PRIME and MSU. Saul was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, which is
the southernmost tip of Texas. He has also lived in San Antonio, Texas while he completed
his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics at the University of Texas at San
Antonio (UTSA).
Before coming to PRIME, Saul noted, “I have merely been a student my entire life with TA duties during my master’s completion. Prior to that, I found a very rewarding job working as a tutor for the UTSA math department.”
Saul’s research interests are centered around the use of written language in proof-based mathematics courses. “I might expand or narrow down from that. I am not sure, but I am excited to see where I can go from here,” he noted.
After receiving his doctoral degree, Saul’s plans include, “being a professor at a
research university and supporting undergraduate students to become researchers themselves, as
the McNair program and Dr. Priya Prasad supported me in the same way.”
On filling some of his free time, Saul commented that, “I like to play games that make me think and prepare my next steps. I commonly find this form of entertainment through video games.”
Saul is also a musician. He remarked, “While in middle school and high school I would play the tuba. I miss brass instruments and hope to pick them up again. I might try out the trumpet again. It has been over a decade since I last played a trumpet. Playing music through my tuba has been so relaxing and fulfilling to me. I am still drawn to musical art today.”
Saul stated, “My number one supporter has been my partner Paulina Montez who is a
2nd year student at The University of California – Berkeley Law School with whom I
adopted a cat named Maxine. Paulina is an integral part of my life and a great motivator
to attain my goals.
He continued, “Paulina and I enjoy watching Broadway shows. We always try to catch one when on tour. We hope to finally see one in New York City someday.”
Saul also enjoys watching wrestling, playing with his cat, and he added, “You can always entertain me with a good story.”
We’re sure you will hear plenty of good stories while you are here, Saul! Welcome to the MSU Math Ed community!
