Omayra Ortega facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Omayra Ortega
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Dr. Ortega in 2017
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Pomona College University of Iowa |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematician |
| Institutions | Sonoma State University |
| Doctoral advisor | Herbert W. Hethcote Tong Li |
Omayra Ortega is an American mathematician. She uses math to study how diseases spread, which is called mathematical epidemiology. Dr. Ortega teaches math and statistics at Sonoma State University in Sonoma County, California. She is also the president of the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM).
Early Life and Education
Omayra Ortega was born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Her parents are originally from Panama.
Dr. Ortega went to Pomona College. In 2001, she earned two bachelor's degrees: one in math and one in music. She continued her studies at the University of Iowa. There, she earned a master's degree in 2005. She also got a Master's in Public Health that same year. In 2008, she earned her PhD, which is the highest degree you can get. Her main research was about how diseases like Rotavirus spread. She used math to study how vaccines help stop these diseases. Her teachers, Herbert W. Hethcote and Tong Li, helped her with this work.
Career Highlights
In 2006, Dr. Ortega started teaching math at Arizona State University. After getting her PhD in 2008, she became an assistant professor there. In 2017, she returned to her old college, Pomona College, to teach math for a short time. In 2018, she became an assistant professor at Sonoma State University. Today, she is an Associate Professor and helps with research and internships in the School of Science and Technology.
Dr. Ortega became the president of the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) on February 1, 2021. Before that, she was in charge of the NAM's part of the Mathematical Association of America MathValues blog. She also edited the NAM Newsletter and led a committee for NAM from 2018 to 2021.
Dr. Ortega has even been on the PBS show SciGirls. This show helps inspire girls to learn about science.
Awards and Recognition
In 2020, Dr. Ortega received an award from the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). This award was for her great service. She was also honored by Mathematically Gifted & Black during Black History Month in 2020. In 2023, she became an AWM fellow. This means she was recognized for helping people, especially women and girls, get involved in math. She also received this honor for being a great mentor and role model.
Personal Life
Omayra Ortega trains in Capoeira. This is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music.
