Talitha Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Talitha Washington
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Washington in 2003
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| Born | 1974 Frankfort, Indiana, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Spelman College (BS) University of Connecticut (MS, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Duke University (2001–2003) College of New Rochelle (2003–2005) University of Evansville (2005–2011) Howard University (2011–2020) National Science Foundation Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) (2020–present) |
| Thesis | Mathematical Model of Proteins Acting as On/Off Switches |
| Doctoral advisor | Yung-Sze Choi |
Talitha Washington, born in 1974, is an amazing American mathematician. She is also a leader in making sure more students get involved in STEM fields. STEM includes science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2018, she was honored by "Mathematically Gifted & Black" during Black History Month. Dr. Washington became the 26th president of the Association for Women in Mathematics in 2023. This organization supports women who study math.
Contents
Early Life and Learning Journey
Talitha Washington was born in Frankfort, Indiana. She grew up in Evansville, Indiana, and went to Benjamin Bosse High School. Before college, she spent time in Costa Rica with a program called the American Field Service.
College and Advanced Studies
Dr. Washington earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, from Spelman College in 1996. She then continued her studies at the University of Connecticut. There, she earned a master's degree in 1998 and a Ph.D. in 2001. Her Ph.D. project was about creating a Mathematical Model of Proteins Acting as On/Off Switches. This means she used math to understand how proteins in our bodies work like tiny switches.
Teaching and Leadership Roles
Dr. Washington has taught at several universities. She was a professor at Duke University, the College of New Rochelle, and the University of Evansville. In 2011, she joined Howard University as an associate professor of mathematics.
Later, she took a break to work at the National Science Foundation. This organization helps fund important scientific research. In 2020, she became the first director of the Data Science Initiative at the Atlanta University Center Consortium. This program helps students learn about data science, which is a big part of understanding information today.
Mathematical Research
Dr. Washington's research focuses on special math methods called nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes. She uses these methods to study different types of math problems. These include population models, which help us understand how populations grow or shrink. She also studies one-dimensional systems and the Black–Scholes equation, which is used in finance.
Championing STEM Education and Diversity
Dr. Washington works hard to improve education for everyone. She especially focuses on making sure that students from all backgrounds have a chance to succeed in STEM. At the National Science Foundation, she helped lead a program for colleges that serve many Hispanic students. She is also a part of SACNAS, an organization that supports diversity in STEM.
Honoring Pioneers and Receiving Awards
Dr. Washington helped bring attention to Elbert Frank Cox, a mathematician from her hometown. He was the first African-American person to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. In 2006, a special plaque was put up to honor him.
Dr. Washington has received many important awards. In 2019, she earned the Black Engineer of the Year Awards STEM Innovator Award. This award recognized her creative work in STEM.
Recognized for Excellence
In 2021, Dr. Washington was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This is a high honor for mathematicians. She was recognized for helping more groups of people get involved in math. Also in 2021, she became a Fellow of the AWM. This award celebrated her efforts to highlight African American women in STEM. It also recognized her support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 2022, she was chosen as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This shows her important contributions to science.
