{"id":32943,"date":"2019-11-12T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/?p=32943"},"modified":"2019-11-12T00:44:24","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T05:44:24","slug":"mathematics-at-2019-sacnas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/2019\/11\/12\/mathematics-at-2019-sacnas\/","title":{"rendered":"Mathematics at 2019 SACNAS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Below I share some details about SACNAS and some of the mathematical events that happened at this year’s SACNAS National Conference.\u00a0 I hope that this may also serve as an invitation\/motivation for anyone interested in diversity and mathematics to participate in SACNAS at any level.<\/p>\n

About SACNAS:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Society for Advancement of Chicanos\/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)<\/a> is a society that aims to further the success of Hispanic and Native American students in obtaining advanced degrees, careers, leadership positions, and equality in STEM.\u00a0 SACNAS was founded in 1973 by underrepresented scientists to address the representation of Chicanos\/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM.\u00a0 Diverse voices can expand scientific and mathematical knowledge as well as bring creative solutions to scientific problems. \u00a0This is one of SACNAS\u2019s motivations for building an inclusive, innovative, and powerful national network of scientists, which now includes over 6,000 society members, over 115 student and professional chapters, and over 20,000 supporters of SACNAS throughout the USA.\u00a0 Contrary to the name, the society is welcoming of people from all backgrounds, identities, fields of study, and professions. SACNAS is the largest multicultural STEM diversity organization in the US.<\/p>\n

SACNAS has programs and events that train and support the diverse STEM talent that is found in this country.\u00a0 This is done in partnership with the student and professional chapters, the leadership programs, Native American programs, regional meetings, and policy and advocacy initiatives.\u00a0 SACNAS also hosts THE National Diversity in STEM Conference.\u00a0 This year\u2019s 2019 SACNAS National Conference in Honolulu, Hawai’i brought in over 5,000 participants! \u00a0Next year the 2020 SACNAS National Conference is in Long Beach, California!<\/p>\n

Math at SACNAS:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Mathematicians and mathematics have always been a strong part of SACNAS.\u00a0 In fact some of the founders of SACNAS include mathematicians, such as Dr. Richard Tapia<\/a> (Rice University) and Dr. William V\u00e9lez<\/a> (University of Arizona). I am fortunate to have met these two great mathematicians, who at different times in my academic journey have shared their wisdom and thoughtful advice.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Richard Tapia and I at the 2011 National SACNAS Conference.<\/p><\/div>\n

My first SACNAS conference was in 2011 in San Jos\u00e9, California.\u00a0 I was a second-year undergraduate student attending his first scientific conference.\u00a0 I was eager to learn and excited for all the opportunities that would be presented at this conference, but I did not know what to expect. \u00a0Fortunately, I found a community of mathematicians who share similar goals for diversifying mathematics and who genuinely care in supporting the success of students.\u00a0 I trace my interest in combinatorics to the 2011 SACNAS National Conference, where I had the opportunity to attended the NSF Mathematics Institutes\u2019 Modern Math Workshop. \u00a0That year\u2019s keynote lecture on \u201cCounting Lattice Points in Polytopes\u201d was presented by Dr. Federico Ardila<\/a> (San Francisco State University).\u00a0 As an example of the power of networking, community, and mathematics at SACNAS, four years later Federico became one of my master\u2019s thesis co-advisors. \u00a0More than that, I found an unconditional mentor, friend, and research collaborator and I owe part of this to SACNAS for providing a space for a student like me to grow academically and professionally.<\/p>\n

Students from the UC Berkeley Cal NERDS program (including me)\u00a0 with Federico Ardila at the 2011 SACNAS National Conference.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Modern Math Workshop<\/a> is a two-day workshop that takes place in conjunction with the national meeting of the SACNAS<\/a> conference and showcases the contemporary research happening at NSF-funded mathematical sciences institutes around the country. \u00a0It became a collaboration with SACNAS in 2006 and has been jointly organized by the Mathematical Sciences Institutes since 2008. Since 2011 this event has been funded by the NSF through the Mathematical Sciences Institute Diversity Initiative. The workshop is a mix of activities including research expositions aimed at graduate students and researchers, mini-courses aimed at undergraduates, a keynote lecture by a distinguished scientist, and a reception where participants can learn more information about the Mathematical Sciences Institutes.<\/p>\n

In addition to the Modern Math Workshop, there are scientific symposia organized by mathematicians, there are oral graduate presentations, and both graduate and undergraduate poster presentations.<\/p>\n

Math at 2019 SACNAS:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

I do not know if it was because we were in the beautiful city of Honolulu, that the sky was much bluer and the ocean water much clearer, but there was certainly an extra revitalizing energy present at this year’s SACNAS conference.\u00a0 Below are some of the mathematical events that went on (and that I participated in) at this year’s SACNAS conference.\u00a0 I am sure there were more that I missed out on.<\/p>\n

This year’s Modern Math Workshop was organized by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI)<\/a>\u00a0 There were two mini-courses aimed at undergraduate students. One was lead by Dr. Wilfrid Gangbo<\/a> (UCLA)\u00a0 and Dr. Anastasia Chavez<\/a> (UC Davis).\u00a0 \u00a0The workshop also included research talks aimed at graduate students and faculty and were delivered by representative mathematicians from each of the NSF Math Institutes.\u00a0 Additionally, there was a panel which addressed topics such as: imposter syndrome, how to choose a graduate program, how to stay motivated, how to choose a mathematical field, etc.\u00a0 Below are some of the speakers and panelists.<\/p>\n