Erika Camacho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erika Camacho
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Erika Tatiana Camacho
September 3, 1974 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Cornell University Wellesley College |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematical Biology Applied mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Texas at San Antonio Arizona State University Loyola Marymount University Los Alamos National Laboratory Cal Poly Pomona Cornell University |
| Thesis | Mathematical Models of Retinal Dynamics |
| Doctoral advisor | Richard H. Rand |
Erika Tatiana Camacho is a brilliant scientist. She is a mathematical biologist and a professor of mathematics. She teaches at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2014, she won a special award. It was the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. This award honors people who are great at teaching and guiding young scientists. When she was in high school, a famous teacher named Jaime Escalante taught her. He was even featured in the movie Stand and Deliver!
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Erika's Early Life and Learning
Erika Camacho was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her birthday is September 3, 1974. She went to Garfield High School from 1990 to 1993. There, she learned from her inspiring teacher, Jaime Escalante. After high school, she went to Wellesley College. She graduated with honors in 1997. She earned two degrees: one in mathematics and one in economics. Later, she continued her studies at Cornell University. In 2003, she earned her PhD in applied mathematics. Her research was about how math can explain how our eyes work. She studied "mathematical models of retinal dynamics."
Erika's Amazing Career Journey
After finishing her PhD, Dr. Camacho worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This was a special research job for one year. In 2004, she became a professor at Loyola Marymount University. She taught in the Department of Mathematics. She also helped start a summer program for college students. It was called the Applied Mathematical Sciences Summer Research Institute (AMSSI). This program helped students do math research. It ran from 2005 to 2007. Dr. Camacho's research focuses on the human eye. She uses math to understand photoreceptors in the retina. These are the cells that help us see light. In 2007, she moved to Arizona State University. She worked there as an applied mathematics professor. She also taught at MIT in 2013–2014. This was part of a special program for visiting scholars. Dr. Camacho has served on many important national groups. These include the Council of the American Mathematical Society (AMS). She also served on the board for SACNAS.
Working at the National Science Foundation
In September 2019, Dr. Camacho started a new role. She became a Program Director at the National Science Foundation. This is a big organization that supports science research. She helped lead the HSI Program. She also worked with the ADVANCE Program. She was a co-leader for the Racial Equity in STEM Program. In 2022, she and her team won an award for this work. It was for creating a program that helps make science fair for everyone.
New Adventures in 2023
In January 2023, Dr. Camacho received a special award. It was a Fulbright Scholar Award. This allowed her to study in Paris, France. She worked at the Institut de la Vision. In August 2023, she announced a big move. She became a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Camacho is also a strong supporter of inclusivity in STEM. This means she wants everyone to have a chance to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Camacho has received many important awards for her work. In 2019, she won the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Mentor Award. She also won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2014. Both awards recognized her research and her great work mentoring students. In 2023, she received the M. Gweneth Humphreys Award. This award honors math teachers who are excellent mentors. In 2020, she received the Louise Hay Award for Mathematics Education. Both of these awards came from the Association for Women in Mathematics.
More Awards for Her Impact
Dr. Camacho won the 2020 SACNAS Presidential Service Award. She also received the 2018 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) Outstanding Latino/a Faculty Award. Other awards include the 2017 HENAAC Education Award. She also won the 2012 SACNAS Distinguished Undergraduate Institution Mentor Award. In 2011, she received the Hispanic Women's Corporation National Latina Leadership Award.
Becoming a Fellow
In 2024, Dr. Camacho was chosen as a Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics. This honor recognized her leadership in helping women and underrepresented groups in STEM. She creates opportunities and works to make math more diverse and fair. She was also elected as a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2024.
