Dr. Talithia D. Williams was born in Columbus, Georgia. She attended Columbus High School where her appreciation for mathematical sciences was cultivated. She voluntarily competed in competitive math exams, where she was among the students who was advanced to the next round.[4]
Dr. Williams is married to Donald Williams and they have three sons together.
Education
Dr. Williams attended Spelman College to obtain her bachelor's degree of science with a major in mathematics and a minor in physics. Through the mentorship of the late Dr. Claudia Alexander, Williams participated in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for three summer sessions while in undergrad. She then went on to obtain her graduate degree in mathematics at Howard University. Dr. Williams was a mentee in the 4-week residential EDGE program, which is a mentorship organization that prepares people of color to gain their Ph.D. in the mathematics field.Then Williams attended Rice University, where she gained a Ph.D. in Statistics.[4]
Career and Research
Dr. Williams has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Security Agency (NSA), and NASA.[1][5] She is an associate professor of mathematics and also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning at Harvey Mudd College.[6][1][5] She is Secretary and Treasurer for the EDGE Foundation which sponsors summer programs for minority women, and on the boards of the MAA and SACNAS.[1] Dr. Williams has done significant outreach, with the goal of bringing mathematics to life and "rebranding the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated but instead a logical, productive career path that is crucial to the future of the country."[7][8]
Dr. Williams has developed statistical models focused on understanding the structure of spatiotemporal data, with environmental applications.[1][9] She has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa.[9]
In 2014, Dr. Williams gave a highly viewed TED talk titled "Own Your Body's Data".[14] In this speech, she expressed the importance of collecting data and how data can help you make well-informed decisions. She goes on to mention her third pregnancy experience, where the doctor's advised her to be induced at 41 and 1/2 weeks due to the baby being under stress. After initial concern of the inconsistency of the stress testing, Dr. Williams seeks additional data by asking questions. Once the additional data is obtained, her husband and herself decided against being induced because the data did not prove a necessity for an induction. She then provided other personal examples to express the importance of knowing all the data in order to make well-informed decisions.[15] Dr. Williams challenged the audience to utilize data to take charge of their own health.
Awards/Honors
In 2015, Dr. Williams received the MAA Henry L. Alder Award for exemplary teaching by an early career mathematics professor.[16] Dr. Williams was honored by the Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America, when they selected her to be the AWM/MAA Falconer Lecturer at MathFest 2017 in Chicago, IL.[17] The title of her talk is "Not So Hidden Figures: Unveiling Mathematical Talent." Dr. Williams was also recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black as a Black History Month 2017 Honoree.[18] She received the 2022 Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communication Award "for bringing mathematics and statistics into the homes of millions through her work as a TV host, renowned speaker, and author."[19][20]
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