Talithia D. Williams | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Alma mater |
Spelman College Howard University Rice University |
Known for | Spatial–temporal modeling of rainfall data |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Statistics |
Institutions | Harvey Mudd College |
Thesis | Real-time estimation of rainfall: A dynamic spatio-temporal model (2008) |
Doctoral advisor | Katherine Bennett Ensor |
Talithia D. Williams is an American statistician and mathematician at Harvey Mudd College who researches the spatiotemporal structure of data. [1] [2] She was the first black woman to achieve tenure at Harvey Mudd College. [2] Williams is an advocate for engaging more African Americans in engineering and science. [3]
Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Spelman College, Master's degrees in both Mathematics from Howard University and Statistics from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University. [4] Williams was in one of the first EDGE cohorts. [5] She is a winner of the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship.
Williams has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA. [1] [6] She is an associate professor of mathematics and also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning at Harvey Mudd College. [7] [1] [6] She is Secretary and Treasurer for the EDGE Foundation which sponsors summer programs for women, and on the boards of the MAA and SACNAS. [1] Williams has done significant outreach, with the goal of bringing mathematics to life and "rebranding the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated but instead a logical, productive career path that is crucial to the future of the country." [4] [8]
Williams has developed statistical models focused on understanding the structure of spatiotemporal data, with environmental applications. [1] [9] She has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa. [9]
Williams was a host of the six part PBS series NOVA Wonders in April 2018. [10] She is the author of the book Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics (Race Point Publishing, 2018). [11] [12] Williams was the narrator for the five-part PBS series NOVA Universe Revealed in November 2021. [13]
In 2014, Williams gave a highly viewed TED talk titled "Own Your Body's Data", discussing the potential insights to be gained from collecting personal health data. [2]
In 2015 Williams received the MAA Henry L. Alder Award for exemplary teaching by an early career mathematics professor. [14] Williams was honored by the Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America, when they selected her to be the AWM/MAA Falconer Lecturer at MathFest 2017 in Chicago, IL. [15] The title of her talk is "Not So Hidden Figures: Unveiling Mathematical Talent." Williams was also recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black as a Black History Month 2017 Honoree. [16] She received the 2022 Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communication Award "for bringing mathematics and statistics into the homes of millions through her work as a TV host, renowned speaker, and author." [17] [18]
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: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (
link)Talithia D. Williams | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Alma mater |
Spelman College Howard University Rice University |
Known for | Spatial–temporal modeling of rainfall data |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Statistics |
Institutions | Harvey Mudd College |
Thesis | Real-time estimation of rainfall: A dynamic spatio-temporal model (2008) |
Doctoral advisor | Katherine Bennett Ensor |
Talithia D. Williams is an American statistician and mathematician at Harvey Mudd College who researches the spatiotemporal structure of data. [1] [2] She was the first black woman to achieve tenure at Harvey Mudd College. [2] Williams is an advocate for engaging more African Americans in engineering and science. [3]
Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Spelman College, Master's degrees in both Mathematics from Howard University and Statistics from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University. [4] Williams was in one of the first EDGE cohorts. [5] She is a winner of the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship.
Williams has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA. [1] [6] She is an associate professor of mathematics and also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning at Harvey Mudd College. [7] [1] [6] She is Secretary and Treasurer for the EDGE Foundation which sponsors summer programs for women, and on the boards of the MAA and SACNAS. [1] Williams has done significant outreach, with the goal of bringing mathematics to life and "rebranding the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated but instead a logical, productive career path that is crucial to the future of the country." [4] [8]
Williams has developed statistical models focused on understanding the structure of spatiotemporal data, with environmental applications. [1] [9] She has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa. [9]
Williams was a host of the six part PBS series NOVA Wonders in April 2018. [10] She is the author of the book Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics (Race Point Publishing, 2018). [11] [12] Williams was the narrator for the five-part PBS series NOVA Universe Revealed in November 2021. [13]
In 2014, Williams gave a highly viewed TED talk titled "Own Your Body's Data", discussing the potential insights to be gained from collecting personal health data. [2]
In 2015 Williams received the MAA Henry L. Alder Award for exemplary teaching by an early career mathematics professor. [14] Williams was honored by the Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America, when they selected her to be the AWM/MAA Falconer Lecturer at MathFest 2017 in Chicago, IL. [15] The title of her talk is "Not So Hidden Figures: Unveiling Mathematical Talent." Williams was also recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black as a Black History Month 2017 Honoree. [16] She received the 2022 Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communication Award "for bringing mathematics and statistics into the homes of millions through her work as a TV host, renowned speaker, and author." [17] [18]
{{
cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (
link)