Invited Speakers

Pamela E. Harris, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Pamela E. Harris is a Mexican-American mathematician and serves as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received her BS from Marquette University and MS and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Pamela E. Harris's research is in algebraic combinatorics, and she is the author of over 90 peer-reviewed research articles in internationally recognized journals. She is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society and of the Association for Women in Mathematics. Dr. Harris is also an award-winning mathematical educator, receiving the 2022 MAA's Haimo Award for Excellence in Mathematical Education, the 2020 MAA Northeast Section Award for Distinguished Teaching, the 2019 MAA Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning Mathematics Faculty Member, and the 2019 Council on Undergraduate Research Mathematics and Computer Sciences Division Early Career Faculty Mentor Award. She is the President and co-founder of Lathisms: Latinxs and Hispanics in the Mathematical Sciences, cohosts the podcast Mathematically Uncensored, and is a coauthor of the books Asked and Answered: Dialogues on Advocating for Students of Color in Mathematics; Practices and Policies: Advocating for Students of Color in Mathematics; and Read and Rectify: Advocacy Stories from Student of Color in Mathematics.

TALK TITLE: How to Choose Your Own Mathematical Adventures

TALK ABSTRACT: What is mathematical research? How does a mathematician find problems to work on? How does one build mathematical collaborations? In this talk, I will share my journey to research mathematics, what it entails, how I have developed new research ideas, and how I have found my place within the mathematical community. Mathematical topics of discussion will include lattice point visibility, parking functions, and a connection between vector partition functions and juggling. No prior mathematical background on these topics is expected nor assumed as we will introduce all of the needed concepts from first principles. All that is needed is the willingness to wonder and ask the question: “What happens if…?”

Carrie Tirel, University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, Fox Cities

BIOGRAPHY: Carrie Tirel is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, Fox Cities campus. Dr. Tirel is the 2024 recipient of the MAA-Wisconsin Section Distinguished Teaching Award. In addition to teaching a variety of first- and second-year courses, much of Dr. Tirel’s work is centered around promoting universal access to higher education and student success at UW Oshkosh and throughout the state. Recently, she served on the project team for the UW System Math Initiative, was vice chair of the UW System math steering committee and co-facilitated active learning workshops for UW System math instructors that evolved into an ongoing community of practice. She currently serves as associate chair for the Fox Cities and Fond du Lac campuses, continues to support the math tutoring and developmental math programs and is a member of the faculty senate.

Cindy Wyels (MAA Secretary), California State University - Channel Islands

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Cindy Wyels came to CSU Channel Islands in Fall 2005 after several years at California Lutheran University. At CSUCI, she co-authored three $6 million HSI-STEM grants, directed the campus’ LSAMP program, and served as chair of the Faculty Senate. She’s mentored students through undergraduate research projects through the MAA’s NREUP grants and NSF grants and has offered minicourses for faculty on conducting research with undergraduates. Dr. Wyels received SACNAS’ Distinguished Mentor Award for work mentoring students and faculty from historically underserved groups as well as the MAA’s Haimo Award for Distinguished University Teaching of Mathematics. Her mathematical research interests began in combinatorial mathematics and linear algebra. She now applies data analysis tools to study the effectiveness of educational interventions and to collaborate on environmental issues.

TALK TITLE: Data Science for (& by) Pure Mathematicians

TALK ABSTRACT: Consider the skills and habits of mind developed through studying pure mathematics. These – and some basic statistical techniques – are enough to fruitfully address some questions of interest when provided a small data set. With a larger investment of time for individual learning, a healthy dose of humility, and perhaps some collaborators, even those whose preparation was in pure mathematics can produce data-based studies of interest to wide audiences. Join me for a story involving a years-long transition, a cast of dozens, learning from failure, and experiencing joy as I argue for the value of all types of research for and by all types of researchers.