Cara Jill Sulyok

I am an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Villanova University.

I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in mathematics education. As an undergraduate at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA, I quickly uncovered my passion for research at the intersection of mathematics and biology while working on my honors thesis. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2015 with minors in Statistics and Secondary Education. I then attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying mathematical biology and numerical mathematics, earning my Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics in 2021. 

From 2021 to 2025, I served an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.

Since joining Villanova University in August 2025, I have continued to teach a range of undergraduate courses incorporating various teaching methods, guide my students in interdisciplinary research projects, and continually work towards improving and growing as an educator.

My research is centered on the development of mathematical models to answer questions in biology and medicine. Applications include the dynamics of the immune response in celiac disease, the transmission of bacteria in healthcare settings and localized communities, and the impact of socioeconomic status on an individual's health.