Category Archives: Welcome

Did Bartók use Fibonacci numbers in his music?

I love math, and I love music. I’ve played piano since I was 6 and composed music since middle school. So when I was planning my week at the JMM, I knew I had to attend the MAA Contributed Paper … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | 1 Comment

Modeling of viral zoonotic infectious diseases from wildlife to humans

The COVID-19 pandemic has made painfully clear the importance of studying zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases that are passed from animals to humans. Today, Linda Allen, a mathematical biologist at Texas Tech University, gave an AMS-MAA Invited Address on how mathematical … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Modeling of viral zoonotic infectious diseases from wildlife to humans

Sharing mathematics through community outreach

As part of the AMS Special Session on Mathematical Outreach: Engagement Opportunities and Best Practices organized by Irina Mitrea, Maria E Lorenz (Temple University), and Katharine A Ott (Bates College), I got to hear the experience in mathematical outreach of Dr. Katrina Morgan (Northwestern … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sharing mathematics through community outreach

Encouraging women in mathematics through an interdisciplinary course

In all her time studying math as an undergraduate, Jacqueline Dewar never heard about any woman who had made important contributions to math. The first time she encountered a woman mathematician in the curriculum was when Emmy Noether was mentioned … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Encouraging women in mathematics through an interdisciplinary course

AWM Panel on Ethics in Mathematics

In lieu of the traditional Noether lecture, the Association for Women in Mathematics held a panel on equity, ethics, and bias in mathematics research. The event featured Loretta Cheeks, president and CEO of Strong Ties and DS Innovation, Kristian Lum … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on AWM Panel on Ethics in Mathematics

Social distancing in Catan and on the chessboard

This afternoon, I dropped by the MAA Contributed Paper Session on Recreational Mathematics: Puzzles, Card Tricks, Games, and Gambling. The first two talks focused on the board game Catan and chess, taking inspiration from social distancing in a way only … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Social distancing in Catan and on the chessboard

Treating diseases by steering evolution with ideas from physics

When physicians attempt to use targeted therapy against bacterial infections and cancer, one of the greatest challenges they face is the rapid evolution of the disease to resist treatment. I attended a fascinating talk yesterday afternoon about a novel approach … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Treating diseases by steering evolution with ideas from physics

AMS Special Session: Developing Statistical Knowledge for Teaching with an emphasis on Equity Literacy

This afternoon, I stopped in at the AMS Special Session on Mathematics Courses Designed to Develop Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching High School. I managed to catch Andrew Ross, Stephanie Casey, and Melody Wilson’s talk “Developing Statistical Knowledge for Teaching with … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on AMS Special Session: Developing Statistical Knowledge for Teaching with an emphasis on Equity Literacy

Do Not Erase Book Discussion

Although these days I work mostly on my computer, there is something special about the chalkboard. The expansiveness of the surface has a way of absorbing me into my work, whereas the outside world and all its distractions are in … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Do Not Erase Book Discussion

Math outreach in Panama during the pandemic

To kick off my time at the JMM, I attended Jeanette Shakalli’s talk on math outreach in Panama during the pandemic. Shakalli is the executive director of the Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT for short), a private … Continue reading

Posted in Welcome | Comments Off on Math outreach in Panama during the pandemic