Sep 21, 2025

Math Monday: Highlighting Hispanic and Latin(o/a) Mathematicians in the Classroom

Use these ready-to-go slides to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Explore profiles of 10 Latin(o/a) mathematicians, complete with resources and discussion questions.

 

Find ready-to-go slides for these profiles - and 50 more! - in the Math in Action slide deck.

 

Dr. Federico Ardila

Dr. Ardila is a math professor at San Francisco State University. In addition to researching combinatorics, Ardila is a DJ and advocate for inclusion in mathematics.

 

Dr. Alberto Calderón

Dr. Calderón was a mathematician who co-developed an influential mathematical theory: Calderón-Zygmund theory of singular integral operators. He was widely recognized for his contributions, including being awarded the National Medal of Science, the Steele Prize, the Bôcher Prize, the Wolf Prize, and the Premio de Consagración Nacional.

  

 

 

Dr. Carina Curto

Dr. Curto is a professor of Applied Mathematics and Brain Science at Brown University. She earned her Ph.D. from Duke University in 2005, before transitioning to research in theoretical and computational neuroscience.

 

Dr. Maricela Cruz

Maricela Cruz is an assistant biostatistics investigator with a PhD in statistics from the University of California Irvine. Her research focuses on developing novel statistical methods to assess and evaluate the impact of complex health interventions. 

 

Dr. Pamela Harris

Dr. Harris is a Mexican-American mathematician and professor at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She also co-founded Lathisms.org, a platform that features the contributions of Latine and Hispanic mathematicians and cohosts the podcast Mathematically Uncensored.

 

Dr. Andrés Vindas Meléndez

Dr. Vindas Meléndez is an assistant professor at Harvey Mudd College. Previously, he was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley. They completed their PhD at the University of Kentucky where they also earned a graduate certificate in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies.

 

Dr. Omayra Ortega

Dr. Ortega is an assistant professor of mathematics & statistics at Sonoma State University. She blends math, statistics, and public health tools to tackle emerging health issues in a field called mathematical epidemiology. Additionally, she is committed to broadening the participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM and mentoring students through the challenges of academia.

 

 

Dr. Cristina Runnalls

Dr. Runnalls is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at Cal Poly Pomona. She earned her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, focused on math education, in 2018 from the University of Iowa. She is “also a proud Chicana, daughter of immigrants, first-generation college student and first-time mom who loves to travel, cook, bake, garden, CrossFit, go to the beach, and many other things”

 

 

Dr. Imelda Flores Vazquez

Dr. Vazquez is a data scientist and econometrician. Her research has informed government policy decisions, particularly related to health. 

 

 

 

Dr. Geremías Polanco Encarnación

Dr. Polanco is an assistant professor at Smith College. He has earned a Master’s Degree in Actuarial Science  and a PhD in Mathematics.

 

 

----------------

Celebrate Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month With Us!

----------------

 

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.

author image More by Kathryn right solid arrow
Mail Icon

Subscribe to the blog

Join the more than 12,000 teachers who get the NGPF daily blog delivered to their inbox:

SIGN UP