This Scientist Brings Math And Sex Together

This is part of our series on the Sexiest Scientists Alive.

Mathematics professor Clio Cresswell is 10,000 miles away, writing from a computer somewhere in Sydney, Australia.

"The brain is the sexiest organ in the body, but let's not rule out the other ones!" she exclaims in an email to Business Insider.

Cresswell has the kind of boundless energy that transcends half a world's distance.

She's whip smart, too.

The 36-year-old firecracker received her Ph.D. in math from the University of New South Wales. She now teaches at the University of Sydney and is the author of "Mathematics and Sex."

The book, published in 2003, may not be a shoo-in on the high school curriculum, but it would certainly get the attention of that teen crowd.

That's because Cresswell explores how math can be used to predict or understand sexual behavior.

That includes things like the number of sexual partners to have before finding your perfect match (12), how much sex is too much, and what we find attractive in a partner (symmetry and a sense of humor).

Currently, she's studying how our brain understands math and what studying math does to our brain. Her latest paper, "The Hero is 'x': Mathematics as our Most Advanced Form of Narrative," is under review.

Read our interview with the bubbly professor to learn how she fell in love with math, where she sees herself in a decade, and what she does outside of the classroom.

Business Insider: How would people describe you?

Clio Cresswell: I have heard the words "pocket rocket" more than once! Someone who brings her own brand of high energy fun to the party. Someone who doesn't go unnoticed? Also, lateral thinker and deep conversationalist.

BI: What first drew you to study math?

CC: When I realized it was such an amazing human ability, and led to unique discoveries and understandings about the patterns of life.

BI: Were you always good at math?

CC: No. No! I only discovered math at 18 when I moved to Australia from France (English parents). I have a French school report card stating 2/20 for Math and 15/20 for Woodwork! But once I found math, there was no turning back. (And I did catch up!)

BI: How do you apply math to sex?

CC: Mathematics is often referred to as the study of patterns. All the gobbledygook equations you see, are in fact telling you about patterns. And there are plenty of patterns to discover in human relationships, believe me! Sometimes writing a poem about them brings out an aspect, sometimes it's a painting or a film, and sometimes it's an equation.

BI: So you think it's possible to reduce fluid emotions to static equations?

CC: Once you show people how math works and how it is all about capturing patterns it only makes sense. The popular image of math meaning one would sit down with a calculator and plug in a few numbers to then reveal a perfect match is completely incorrect. Mathematics is one of our most sophisticated pattern recognition tools — so why not use it to investigate patterns in emotions or relationships...

BI: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

CC: Well, I can't wait to finish the book I'm currently writing, because I have a number of fresh projects I am dying to sink myself into. And these projects will surely lead to more. So hooking into the creativity patterns to make sure I don't miss out on any adventures.

BI: What activities outside of mathematics do you most enjoy?

CC: Physical activity! My latest venture is ring gymnastics. Which has also meant practicing walking handstands. Nearly there! Otherwise, long lunches with old and new friends or hikes or picnics out in the wilderness. I've also been going to a number of music festivals lately. Basically anything to make sure I get out of my head?!