Comment due Sunday, October 6
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month! For this assignment, we’ll honor Hispanic/Latinx mathematicians by learning about their lives and their work.
Pick one mathematician who identifies either as Hispanic/Latinx and who stands out you. Then write a short profile/biography of them as a comment on this post.
Where can you learn about mathematicians from these communities?
There are lots of places online to find out about these mathematicians. Here is one great resource:
- Lathisms showcases contributions of Latinx and Hispanics in the Mathematical Sciences; check out the Calendars and Podcasts tabs at the top of the screen.
Once you’ve chosen the mathematician you want to profile, try to find something out about them that’s not on one of these two sites. Most mathematicians have their own websites, which you can usually find by Googling their name (these may be more up to date than the site above). Some of them are active on Twitter and other social media. Your profile should include:
- Their name
- Something about their work (try to understand something about their work don’t worry if you don’t really understand it, just tell us whatever you found out about it)
- Where they are from
- Where they live/work now
- Why they are interesting or inspiring to you
- Anything else you learned about them that you’d like to share
- If you can’t embed a photo in an OpenLab comment and if you want to include a photo of your mathematician, you can write your profile in a separate post and include a link to it in the comments on this post (tbh I love pictures!).
Why are we doing this?
White mathematicians of European descent tend to dominate the popular conception of who mathematicians are. For example, in Calculus, we are mostly learning about work by these two dudes, who practically look like twins, right?
Our goal with this assignment is to broaden the popular conception of what a mathematician looks like and who can be a mathematician, as well as to honor the work of Hispanic/Latinx who are living and working today!
The Mathematician I chose was Jessica Bonilla. Today, Bonilla is a teacher at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High, where she teaches and provides support in mathematics. Bonilla is a Mexican American that was born and raised in Los Angeles California. Something that really drew me to her is her love for math and the obstacles she went through to get to where she is today. Her persistence and determination to spread her knowledge of math made me admire her more. Unfortunately, in elementary school a teacher emotionally abused her, thus causing her to lose her interest in her education. In college, she took a calculus class to fit in with her friends and that rekindled that love for mathematics, leading her to switch from a business major to a mathematics major. She was determined to help people just like her find that love for math. Ever since she has helped many students gain interest in mathematics. Bonilla also continues to be a proud activist for the Hispanic community.
My Mathematicians name is Luis Nuñez Betancourt. Luis was the first Mexican to win the UMALCA Prize, Luis works on commutative algebra and its connections with other fields. He has achieved significant results regarding the structure of local cohomology, D-modules, singularities in prime characteristic, ideals arising from graphs, symbolic powers, blowup algebras, and coding theory. He also developed the theory of Bernstein-Sato polynomials in certain singular varieties. He is from Durango, Mexico. He now works at CIMAT where he is a full time professor and chair of the Basic Mathematics Department. Luis interested me because he was the first Mexican to win the UMALCA Prize and what the Prize is that mathematicians in Latin America and the Caribbean who have made notable scientific contributions.
“>
After researching, I chose to profile Raquel Fernández, a mathematician born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, who specializes in Riemannian Geometry and Geometric Analysis. Her research explores curved surfaces and spaces, contributing to our understanding of the structure of mathematical objects. Raquel pursued her mathematics degree at the Universidad de Guanajuato and completed her PhD at Stony Brook University. She currently lives and works in Guanajuato, Mexico, and has significantly contributed to the mathematical community by organizing over 25 major events, including international workshops and colloquia. What inspires me most about Raquel is her dedication to making mathematics accessible and inclusive, especially for underrepresented groups in Latin America, as seen in her volunteer translation work and her outreach activities. Despite identifying as an introvert, she has delivered over 110 talks, and in January 2024, she received the Young Mathematician IMSA Prize for her outstanding contributions to the field. Outside of math, Raquel enjoys literature, dancing, singing, and listening to multilingual podcasts, showing her multifaceted personality and passion for learning and sharing knowledge.
The mathematician I chose to speak about is Carlos Castillo Chavez. Carlos Castillo Chavez was born in Mexico. He is currently a professor at Arizona State University, and has also worked at other universities such as the University of Arizona, and the University of Massachusetts. Mexico was the birthplace of Carlos Castillo Chavez. He is currently a professor at Arizona State University and has previously taught at the University of Arizona and the University of Massachusetts. Carlos Castillo-Chavez is a well-known mathematician with expertise in mathematical biology, he specifically specializes in infectious diseases and population dynamics. He is also known for creating mathematical models to better understand disease transmission, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which in result helps out our community. Castillo-Chavez’s commitment to increasing diversity in STEM makes him inspiring to me. He has worked tirelessly to assist and support many minorities in math, promoting educational equity and access. Castillo-Chavez has received multiple awards for his contributions to mathematics and education, including accolades from the American Mathematical Society. He also co-founded the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute’s Program for Young Scholars, which aims to train the future generation of mathematicians from a variety of fields. Overall, Castillo-Chavez is noteworthy for his dedication to mentoring and opening up diversity in the mathematical community.
Alejandra Quintos is a mathematician whose work primarily revolves around algebraic geometry, particularly in understanding module spaces, which are fundamental in classifying geometric objects. Her research often intersects with other fields, including representation theory and mathematical physics, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of her work. This blending of areas enriches the mathematical landscape, revealing deeper connections that can lead to new insights Originally from the United States, Alejandra has developed a vibrant academic career. Currently based in New York City, she is affiliated with a leading academic institution where she balances her time between teaching and groundbreaking research. Her position not only allows her to advance her studies but also to inspire the next generation of mathematicians through her dynamic teaching methods. What stands out about Alejandra is her profound commitment to diversity and inclusion within the mathematics community. She is actively involved in initiatives aimed at supporting underrepresented groups, such as organizing workshops and mentorship programs designed to empower young mathematicians from diverse backgrounds. This focus on equity not only helps to break down barriers in the field but also fosters a more inclusive environment where all voices can be heard. Additionally, Alejandra is known for her ability to communicate complex mathematical ideas in an engaging and approachable manner. This skill is particularly important in an academic setting, where inspiring students can lead to a more vibrant and innovative mathematical community. Her enthusiasm for mathematics, combined with her dedication to mentoring and outreach, makes her a noteworthy figure in the field. Overall, Alejandra Quintos exemplifies the qualities of a modern mathematician who is not only committed to advancing knowledge but also to making the mathematical community more inclusive and supportive.
“>
Reflecting on my past teachers, one stands out: Mrs. Jenny,who taught math at junior high. She wasn’t the most popular, funniest, easiest, or meanest teacher, but I remember her for different reasons. She pushed me to work hard and challenged me to excel. Above all, I recall the significant influence she had on me.