AWM at MathFest 2026
Boston, MA, August 5-8, 2026
All times are Eastern Daylight Time
AWM-MAA Etta Zuber Falconer Lecture
Bridging the Gap with Mathematical Modeling
Christina Edholm, Scripps College
Thursday, August 6, 10:00 am – 10:50 am, Salon EF
Bridging the Gap with Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical Modeling opens a world of possibilities when it comes to exploring interdisciplinary problems. We can use models to gain insight into transmission pathways, consider human behaviors, or plan for management options. We can bridge the gap between subjects and the disconnect between the modeling outcome and real-world implications. Also, we “mind the gap” when it comes to these mathematical problems, considering the implications of our assumptions and outcomes. In this talk, we will explore a variety of mathematical modeling problems and discuss the gaps we need to consider along with potential bridges in topics, collaborations, and more.
Biography
Edholm earned her BA in Mathematics from Willamette University and her MS and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Following a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she joined the Department of Mathematics at Scripps College, where she currently serves as an associate professor. She was recently awarded a Faculty Leadership Fellowship through the Claremont Colleges to cultivate promising leaders across campuses and was appointed extended graduate faculty of the Claremont Colleges.
Edholm is an extraordinary researcher. Her work bridges mathematics and the study of biological systems, using techniques from ordinary differential equations, continuous-time Markov chains, and stochastic differential equations. She has worked with 50 coauthors and published 20 peer-reviewed publications that address a variety of infectious diseases using a range of tools from discrete and continuous dynamical systems, as well as optimal control and stochastic processes. It is worthy of note that many of these papers arose from collaborations with African researchers that began from her participation in the MASUMA program in Zimbabwe and from collaborations through the American Institute of Mathematics SQuaRE program. Edholm has also developed research partnerships through the American Mathematical Society Mathematics Research Community, as well as the Women in Mathematical Biology Research Community. Edholm’s ability to collaborate, and in particular her ability to bring scholars together for research, is notable. Edholm co-organized multiple sessions on mathematical biology, bringing together graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to share recent developments in the research areas of the organizers.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Edholm is an outstanding teacher and mentor. She is known for her engaging exposition and for translating research into the classroom. At Scripps College, she developed a core course in mathematical biology and received the Mary W. Johnson Faculty Teaching Award for her efforts. She has supervised eight senior theses and directed eight undergraduate research projects. Some of her collaborations with undergraduates have been published in SIAM Undergraduate Research Online, and for her excellence in integrating undergraduates into research, she was awarded the Mary W. Johnson Faculty Scholarship Award. Edholm’s commitment to outreach and social justice is remarkable. As mentioned earlier, she is an active research participant in the Women in Mathematical Biology Research Community; beyond this, she organizes conference sessions for the community. Edholm is committed to expanding access to mathematics for diverse groups through her service in national organizations. She recently served a three-year term on the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Workshop Celebrating Diversity Working Group, which she chaired in 2023.
Edholm has an outstanding record of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach, and we are pleased to name her as the distinguished 2026 Etta Z. Falconer Lecturer.
To Graduation and Beyond: A Panel on the Job Market Process for Undergrads and Grads
Thursday, August 6, 5:00 pm – 6:20 pm
This panel is geared towards undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning more about the job market and hiring process but anyone is welcome. The panel consists of individuals who were on the job market in the past few years, who can speak to their recent experience. Individuals that have served on several hiring committees who can different provide insight into the hiring process. It consists of a mix of individuals from academia and industry. Participants will hear directly from the panelists and have a chance to ask their own questions during an interactive question and answer session.
Organizers:
Sarah Kerrigan, George Fox University
Christine Kelley, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Jeanette Shakalli, Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT)
Jessie Loucks-Tavitas, California State University Sacramento
Julia Plavnik, Indiana University in Bloomington
Mariana Smit Vega Garcia, Western Washington University
Sponsors:
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
MAA Project NExT
AWM-MAA IPS aligned with the Falconer Lecture:
Bridging the Gap – Insights with Modeling
Friday, August 7, 8:00 am – 11:20 am, Salon AB
Whether it be in research or the classroom, modeling allows us to examine a variety of questions. We can use models to predict future circumstances from different dynamics, consider management, explore unobservable situations, and much more. In this session, we bring together speakers who leveraged models in a variety of situations. Furthermore, we consider how models can bridge gaps when it comes to collaborations, skill sets, topics, and more.
Organizer:
Christina J. Edholm, Scripps College
Sponsor:
Association for Women in Mathematics
Recreational Mathematics, Including Using Games and Puzzles to Enhance Core Math Courses
Part A: Friday, August 7, 1:00 pm – 6:15 pm, Salon H
Part B: Saturday, August 8, 8:00 am – 9:15 am, Salon AB
Puzzles, card tricks, board games, game shows, and gambling provide an excellent laboratory for exploring mathematical strategy, probability, enumeration, and the application of mathematical and statistical theory. Additionally, games and puzzles offer powerful ways to connect playful curiosity with serious mathematical thought, making them fertile ground for both theoretical investigation and effective teaching.
This session highlights both the theoretical investigation and teaching applications of recreational mathematics. We invite talks that show how recreational mathematics can enhance the teaching and learning in core undergraduate courses such as calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, abstract algebra, probability, and combinatorics. Such talks will feature classroom-tested activities, demonstrations, and course examples that connect mathematical concepts with engaging puzzles and games. We also invite talks on general scholarship in the field of recreational mathematics, including submissions that present new problems or novel solutions to classic problems. Submissions detailing recreational mathematics scholarship by or including undergraduate students are welcome.
Organizers:
Paul Coe, Dominican University
Denise Rangel Tracy, Francis Marion University
Sara Quinn, Dominican University
Timothy Goldberg, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Kristen Schemmerhorn, Concordia University Chicago
Lauren Rose, Bard College
Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, California State University, Sacramento
Sponsors:
SIGMAA on Recreational Mathematics (SIGMAA REC)
AWM EvenQuads Committee
Mental Health in the Mathematics Community
Friday, August 7, 9:30 am – 10:50 am
All members of the mathematics community are invited to join the panel on “Mental Health in the Mathematics Community.” Mental health remains a topic of widespread concern in the mathematics community. The session will include strategies for improving the mental health of individuals and groups. It will also allow for the sharing of progress that has been made locally and more globally in addressing some of the common issues that negatively impact the mental health of faculty, students, and other members of the mathematics community. Attendees will benefit from the professional and personal experiences of the panelists, who collectively contribute diverse perspectives as faculty members, researchers in the emotional aspects of learning mathematics, and mental health specialists. We once again hope to encourage an open and empathetic dialogue to raise awareness, inspire positive change, and improve the well-being of our unique and vibrant community.
Organizers:
Jeanette Shakalli, Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT)
Julia Plavnik, Indiana University Bloomington
Mariana Vega, Western Washington University
SarahKerrigan, George Fox University
Jessie Loucks-Tavitas, California State University, Sacramento
Sponsor:
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
Math & Crafts: Fun For All!
Friday, August 7, 5:00 pm – 6:20 pm
In this workshop, participants will get the opportunity to engage in a variety of arts and crafts that have mathematical connections. There will be several tables/groups set up each with a different mathematical craft with supplies and instructions/facilitators for participants to make their own artistic creations and have fun. For example, participants can explore geometry and symmetries through the art of origami or making and coloring tessellations. One can engage in the fiber arts by learning how to knit or crochet a Mobius strip. No prior experience is needed, all experience levels are welcome and all the necessary materials will be provided. There will be space for a knitting circle for people that are working on current projects and want space to knit/crochet together. Other arts and crafts may include the following: fractals, tangent-line/string art, optical illusions, and many more.
Organizers:
Jeanette Shakalli, FUNDAPROMAT
Julia Plavnik, Indiana University Bloomington
Mariana Vega, Western Washington University
Sarah Kerrigan, George Fox University
Jessie Loucks-Tavitas, California State University, Sacramento
Sponsor:
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
Visit the AWM Booth in the Exhibit Hall
Swing by the virtual AWM booth, buy a t-shirt, get some AWM swag, learn about the many programs AWM has to offer and meet other AWM’ers! Are you interested in volunteering your time at the booth? Email ed.admin@awm-math.org to volunteer.