Talithia Williams

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Spelman College, Master's degrees in both Mathematics from Howard University and Statistics from Rice University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice University.[4] Dr. Williams was in one of the first EDGE cohorts.[5]

Williams has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA.[1][6] She is an associate professor of mathematics and also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning at Harvey Mudd College.[7][1][6] She is Secretary and Treasurer for the EDGE Foundation which sponsors summer programs for women, and on the boards of the MAA and SACNAS.[1] Williams has done significant outreach, with the goal of bringing mathematics to life and "rebranding the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated but instead a logical, productive career path that is crucial to the future of the country."[4][8]

Williams has developed statistical models focused on understanding the structure of spatiotemporal data, with environmental applications.[1][9] She has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa.[9]

Williams was a host of the six part PBS series NOVA Wonders in April 2018.[10] She is the author of the book Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics (Race Point Publishing, 2018).[11][12]

In 2015 Williams received the MAA Henry L. Alder Award for exemplary teaching by an early career mathematics professor.[13] Williams was honored by the Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America, when they selected her to be the AWM/MAA Falconer Lecturer at MathFest 2017 in Chicago, IL.[14] The title of her talk is "Not So Hidden Figures: Unveiling Mathematical Talent." Williams was also recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black as a Black History Month 2017 Honoree.[15]