UC welcomes Einstein public lecture series speaker Nathaniel Whitaker
Mathematics leader returns to share scholarship, journey beyond segregation
Event Information (passed)
“From Segregation to Research Mathematician” is the title of this year’s Einstein Public Lecture in Mathematics, presented in conjunction with the American Mathematical Society’s Spring Sectional Meeting. The meeting will be held at the University of Cincinnati on April 15-16, and is expected to draw hundreds of mathematical scholars and the public from around the region to UC’s Uptown campus.
The lecture will be presented by research mathematician Nathaniel Whitaker, interim dean of the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Natural Sciences. Whitaker has roots in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, from which he earned his master’s degree in mathematics in the 1980s.
University of Massachusetts Amherst, will deliver the Einstein Public Lecture in Mathematics at UC.
“I accepted the invitation because UC was essential to my success,” Whitaker says. “When I applied to grad school, at that time, only UC accepted me with financial support. If they had not accepted me, my journey would have been very different. They welcomed me.”
Professor Whitaker’s journey began in the segregated south, where his grandparents and parents were sharecroppers. His family later moved to Virginia, where he attended segregated schools in proximity to the Black engineers and NASA computers Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson, whose stories were brought to life in the book “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women and Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race,” which was later made into an award-winning film.
Similarly, Whitaker’s story is woven into that historical period. “I grew up in a Black community that had a lot of pride,” he says. “We knew that we were discriminated against, but still knew that we had great people amongst us that could do well with opportunities.
“My father worked from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. in one shipyard, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. at another, and then delivered flowers for a florist on weekends,” Whitaker says. “It took me awhile to appreciate that, and when I did, that is when I began to soar.”
I accepted the invitation because UC was essential to my success. They welcomed me.
Professor Nathaniel Whitaker University of Massachusetts Amherst
Today, Whitaker’s research focuses on problems in mathematical biology, which seeks to explore modeling of biological processes. Specifically, his research analyzes the growth of tumors through models which simulate the conditions necessary for them to grow. Whitaker also works in fluid and statistical mechanics.
It was important to invite Whitaker back to UC to share his story, says Michael Goldberg, head of the department of mathematical sciences.
“He is a successful graduate from our department with a compelling story to tell, and we wanted to highlight his accomplishments,” Goldberg says. “I hope everyone will find something revealing or relatable in the journey of Dr. Whitaker’s scientific career. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with such a large professional and public audience.”
Whitaker concurs, saying his lecture will weave his mathematical research with his scholarly path, with an emphasis on the importance of community and belonging to success.
“I am hoping to inspire Black mathematicians, but also those who are not Black, to realize that others feel like they do not belong to the community and they can reach out to them,” he says. “Everyone needs support for their success. At all parts of my journey, I had support.”
The Einstein Public Lecture in Mathematics is free and open to the public. It will be presented on Saturday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. in Tangeman University Center, 2600 Clifton Ave., Room 465 (Great Hall).
Featured image at top: Equations on a blackboard. Credit/Thomas T from Unsplash.
Related Stories
Senior peer career coaches graduate with resumes ready
April 17, 2021
Profiles three senior peer career coaches in the University of Cincinnati's Bearcat Promise Career Studio
UC students recognized for achievement in undergraduate research
April 12, 2021
Undergraduate student researchers in sciences and humanities recognized in 2021
UC students recognized for achievement in undergraduate research
April 29, 2020
Each spring, the University of Cincinnati’s Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education (ELCE) honors students in experience-based learning programs.
Listen: Cincy Playhouse shares CCM audio plays
May 28, 2021
Each audio play is its own story, and you can listen to these pieces for free in any order you choose. They represent a year-long collaboration that reached into many corners of Cincinnati. Students from all over UC (CCM Acting, Sound Design, Stage Management, Commercial Music Production, Digital Media, and the College of Arts & Sciences’ Fiction PhD program) and local professional writers (YA author Liz Coley and musician, comedian and raconteur Paul Strickland) came together to make something truly special. Paul Strickland's play will be available soon. The Playhouse is assisting CCM by hosting and helping to promote these free audio plays.
UC staff have elected their 2021-23 Staff Senators
June 8, 2021
Join us in congratulating the 2021-23 new Staff Senate members! Elections were held in early May, and new senators will begin their two-year term in July 2021. All UC staff are encouraged to be part of the enthusiasm and excitement for our new senators by attending the Staff Senate online meeting via WebEx, June 30, 9-11 a.m.
UC LGBTQ Center founder takes on new diversity role
June 1, 2021
When Leisan Smith, ’99, ME ’03, began work this year as the inaugural chief equity officer at the prestigious Columbus School for Girls, the school’s staff and faculty were thrilled. The job description, they said, “was written for you.”
The making of a successful Faculty & Staff Campaign
May 25, 2021
More than one-third of UC’s nearly 7,000 faculty and staff have already contributed to the 2020-21 Faculty & Staff Campaign, putting the goal of 45% within reach.
Engineering student shifts from the stage to the lab
May 14, 2021
Garek Bushnell came to the University of Cincinnati with a singular goal: to study acting. He graduated in April 2021 with his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering instead. Bushnell’s path between these two seemingly dissimilar fields is rooted in his mindset that following your passion will drive your determination to succeed – even if that passion comes from an unexpected source.
UC Foundation Board of Trustees elects six new members
May 11, 2021
The University of Cincinnati Foundation Board of Trustees has elected six new trustees to its 52-member board: Paul D. Green, BBA ’90; Lourdes J. Harshe, BBA ’92; Anndréa M. Moore, BBA’10; Arun C. Murthy, BBA ’95; Kirk L. Perry, BBA ’90, HON ‘15; and Christopher J. Van Pelt, BA ’91, MA ’93.
UC Blue Ash student presents research at a major international conference
July 13, 2021
When Aqsa Raja began an undergraduate research project last spring as part of her Honors Program experience at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College, she never imagined it would lead to a presentation just a year later at a major international conference for microbiologists.