Mai Bui, from Vietnam, is completing a PhD in mathematics education at Texas State University. Her dissertation investigates how pre-service teachers learn to notice students’ mathematical thinking—a core practice at the heart of high-quality mathematics instruction. Her goal is to help teachers disregard hidden, yet common biases that “girls can’t do math,” thereby resolving the root of inequities in mathematics education. Her research promotes equitable learning environments in mathematics classrooms for girls and other marginalized groups.

Building on her past experiences as a teacher educator at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and as a facilitator for the Enhancing Teacher Education Program, Mai aims to integrate research on teacher education into training and curricula to positively impact over one million Vietnamese math teachers and their 18 million students.

An act of kindness by her fifth-grade teacher, who bought her a bicycle so she could stay in school, inspired her to become an educator. To pay it forward, Mai founded the non-profit organization Empowering Girls Through Education (EGE) to give girls better access to education. EGE raises funds to support educational expenses for low-income, female students in Vietnam. In the United States, Mai serves as a mentor, supporting underserved, international undergraduate and graduate students, through the I-Mentor and Supporting Undergraduates for Powerful Equitable Results in Math programs.

Through her dedicated work and passion for equitable education, Mai is a catalyst for change. She intends to continue her nonprofit organization’s efforts, further empowering girls through scholarship programs, inspiring talks, and community partnerships.