About Elias Toubassi
Funding for these awards and scholarships is provided by Elias Toubassi, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at The University of Arizona. Elias Toubassi earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Lehigh University in 1970 and became a mathematics professor at the University, where he served for 37 years. Throughout his career at the University, Elias Toubassi pioneered and supported a number of innovative initiatives aimed at improving the conditions for students to embrace and succeed in mathematics. He received a number of grants including two multi-year awards from the National Science Foundation and a FIPSE grant from the Department of Education. The grants were aimed at training programs for K-12 teachers and students in the Tucson area.
One of Elias Toubassi’s most notable legacies was the highly valued and critically impactful Teaching Co-Op Program—an exchange of college instructors and high school teachers effectively designed to demystify and streamline the high school to university transition in the Tucson area. During his 30-year tenure as Associate Head for Entry-Level courses, Elias Toubassi also led other grant-funded and University-sponsored efforts, including the Teaching Postdoctoral Fellows Program launched in the 1990’s. Both the Co-Op Program and the Teaching Post-Doc Program served as national models for similar efforts. After retiring—through two endowed scholarships—Elias Toubassi has continued to recognize the value of mathematics teaching and learning for students in general, and mathematics undergraduate majors in particular, including prospective high school teachers.
Scholarships and Awards
Eligibility:
- Major: Mathematics or Mathematics Education and continuing on to a graduate program in the Mathematical Sciences
- Class Standing: Seniors, typically graduating the following Spring (non-renewable)
- Citizenship/Residency: none specified
- GPA: minimum 3.0 in major
About
The Toubassi scholarship recognizes excellent mathematics majors applying to graduate programs in the mathematical sciences.
Past Recipients
- Christopher Koh, 2023 - Graduate Program TBA
- Arjun Nigam, 2022 - Duke University Mathematics graduate program
- Lane Lewis, 2021 - Carnegie Mellon joint PhD in Neural Computation and Statistics
- Alexis Vizzerra, 2020 - University of Arizona Mathematics graduate program
- Colby Brown, 2019 - University of California, Davis Mathematics graduate program
- Mark Dalthorp, 2018 - Cornell University Mathematics graduate program
- Angel Burr, 2017 - University of Washington Mathematics graduate program
- Craig Gross, 2016 - Michigan State University Applied Mathematics graduate program
- David Simmons, 2015 - University of Washington Mathematics graduate program
- Michael "Patrick" Martin, 2014 - Johns Hopkins University Mathematics graduate program
- Austin Antoniou, 2013 - Ohio State University Mathematics graduate program
- Rachel Baumann, 2012 - University of Arizona Mathematics graduate program
- Howard Cheng, 2011 - NYU Courant Institute Mathematics graduate program
- Robert Muth, 2010 - University of Oregon Mathematics graduate program
- Sean Howe, 2009 - University of Chicago Mathematics graduate program
Selected by the Undergraduate Committee (UGC). Recipients are excellent rising Seniors in the Mathematics Education emphasis planning to complete student teaching the following year.
About
The Toubassi endowment has funded two scholarships: one awarded to math majors who have chosen the Mathematics Education emphasis, and one awarded to excellent math majors applying to graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. Anyone may gift to this endowment. The endowment that funds these scholarships was established in honor Emeritus Mathematics Professor Elias Toubassi.
Past Recipients
- Crystal Rene Kimmet, 2024
- Amanda Castaneda, 2023
- Teresa Perez, 2022
- Liliana Mata, 2021
- Andres Ramirez, 2017
- Gerardo Lopez, 2016
- Alissa Marco, 2015
- Tetyana Dewland, 2014
Eligibility:
- Major: Mathematics, Mathematics Education, or Statistics & Data Science
- Citizenship/Residency: none specified
- GPA: none specified
About
The Elias Toubassi Research/High Impact Experience Award for Undergraduates in Mathematical Sciences recognizes that excellence in the mathematical sciences requires access to high impact opportunities to engage with mathematics and mathematics education subject matter deeply and independently, as researchers often do.
To encourage undergraduates to seek out and participate in these high impact opportunities, the Award offers $1000 (minimum) in funding per awardee, and requires that the awardee share about their experience with other undergraduates. We anticipate that this will usually take place at the end of spring semester. The Math Center and your faculty mentor will help provide guidance in complying with the requirements.
In order to apply for consideration, students should have a project in mind, though we understand that you may not have complete details yet.
Learn more about how to get involved in research: https://www.math.arizona.edu/academics/undergrads/opportunities/uras
In addition to the online application online form (see the Apply button when the application is open), applicants must submit a current resume to MATH-mcenter@arizona.edu by the deadline. Resources for resume writing are available from the Career Center: https://career.arizona.edu/channels/resume-cv-cover-letter/
Past Recipients
- Nisa Aliyeva, Fall, 2023 - Research Mentor: Maggie O'Haire
- Vivian Nguyen, Spring, 2023 - Research Mentor: Timothy Secomb
