Queer in Math
Panel
June 4th, 2024
Join us this Pride Month for our first ever Queer in Math Panel!
Meet and network with Queer Mathematicians from across the nation as they share their education, careers, and personal experience.
Below is an overview of this year’s speakers. Recording of the event will be posted below. This is a part of the UCLA Department of Mathematics’ new initiative, Infinity: Diversity in Math Series. For questions, please contact communications@math.ucla.edu.
2024 ALUMNI SPEAKERS
Santana Afton (they/them)
Performance Analyst at Goodwill Industries International.
I recently gained my doctorate in math down in Atlanta, Georgia, and have since decided to leave academia. I now work as an analyst for Goodwill. My passion lies in pouring into my community, where I have done food justice work, jail support work, and am a part of the Just Mathematics Collective. I am also a part of the Atlanta Trans Liberation Basketball League which is such a joy!
Julie Blackwood (they/she)
Associate Professor of Mathematics at Williams College
Julie Blackwood received their PhD in Applied Mathematics in 2010 from the University of California, Davis under the direction of Alan Hastings. After completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2013, they joined the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Williams College where they are currently an Associate Professor.
Julie’s research is in mathematical ecology and spans several topics in ecology including invasive insect management, disease ecology (both in humans and wildlife), and coral reef conservation. Broadly, Julie’s work explores two underlying questions: (1) what drives population (or disease) persistence?, and (2) what are the outcomes of management strategies? Their most recent work investigates feedbacks that occur between humans and the environment as a result of human decision making.
Dev Dabke (he/him)
Principal Quantitative Scientist at Level Ventures
Dev is a New Yorker from New Jersey and is currently the principal quantitative scientist at Level Ventures. His research focuses on all aspects of dynamic networks, including algorithms, machine learning, topology, discrete math, and stochastic processes. At Level, he works on applying various mathematical techniques, including those based on dynamic networks, to diverse private market financial modeling problems with alternative data. Previously, he had the privilege of working with Bernard Chazelle at Princeton for his PhD and with Anita Layton and John Harer at Duke as an undergrad. Dev is committed to furthering LGBTQ+ causes and sits on the boards of Spectra (the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians) and of other related organizations. Beyond writing proofs and code, you can find him walking his dog, Macaroni, in the parks of NYC or online at devdabke.com.