A big data expert who hosted the PBS docuseries NOVA Wonders will speak at UC Santa Cruz’s online 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation on February 21.
Dr. Talithia Williams is an associate professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and is known for her ability to clearly explain complex numerical concepts to a general audience.
Williams is the author of Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics, about 30 women who broke through obstacles to follow their dreams in science, technology, engineering, and math. Her popular TED Talk, "Own Your Body’s Data," about how high-tech self-monitoring can improve your health, has received nearly 2 million views.
This year’s convocation is again on Zoom and will be free to the public. The MLK Convocation Committee chose to highlight three main themes in its speaker selection: Black excellence, Black joy, and Black contributions to STEM, said Anju Reejhsinghani, vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion and committee chair. “Talithia Williams jumped out as someone who could speak on all three,” she said.
On her website, Williams writes that she has made it her life’s work to "get people of all ages and backgrounds excited about the bold possibilities of a STEM education." In particular, Williams seeks to “STEMpower” women and members of underrepresented groups to enter STEM fields.
Williams grew up in Columbus, Ga., started entering math competitions in high school, and majored in math at Spelman College. She has developed statistical models that emphasize the spatial and temporal structural pattern of data. Working with the World Health Organization, she developed a model to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa.
Xavier Livermon, UC Santa Cruz associate professor in critical race and ethnic studies, will moderate a question-and-answer session with Williams following her talk. David H. Anthony III, a professor emeritus of African history at UC Santa Cruz, will serve as master of ceremonies.
While a number of structural barriers to a STEM education remain, Reejhsinghani hopes that Williams will offer suggestions about how to increase pipelines and pathways to STEM for all who seek to enter those professions. She would like viewers of Williams’s talk to come away energized and inspired.
"I hope the talk provides our audiences with a greater understanding of the various ways women and folks of color are already contributing to and leading STEM initiatives in this country," she said.
The 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation begins at 6 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, February 21. For information and to register, visit the UCSC Events Calendar.
