Maths can sometimes get a bad wrap. But the reality is, maths helps us understand the world and enables society to solve complex and real problems - like pandemic infection rates, predictive analytics and patterns of climate change!

In fact, it is only through maths that we can explain water contamination in third-world countries; the science behind some of the world’s most impressive architecture (think of Gaudi’s phenomenal La Sagrada Familia); and space-time theory that enables us to learn more about how the universe works!

Actually, the application of maths, and in particular mathematical modelling, has been critical to guiding policies and analysing data on the COVID-19 virus in Australia and throughout the world. Without maths, we wouldn’t be able to meaningfully communicate and protect one another during times of crisis, and understand incidence patterns of infection and mortality.

So this week, to celebrate the field of mathematics, we’re shining a spotlight on Australia’s most amazing female mathematicians who are making their mark on the world.

Dr. Beena Ahmed

Senior Lecturer, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications,
University of New South Wales

Dr. Beena Ahmed is actively using data and machine learning algorithms to improve our lives and assist in the work of healthcare providers. Through collecting data on our speech, heart rate and brain waves non-invasively, Dr. Ahmed works at the intersection of health and technology to find solutions for disordered speech detection, dementia detection from speech, disordered sleep monitoring and stress prediction and self-regulation.

Dr. Ahmed received her PhD in 2004 from the University of New South Wales, where she is currently the Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications.

Professor Asha Rao

Associate Dean of Mathematical Sciences, School of Science, RMIT University
Founding Chair of ‘Women in Maths.’

Professor Asha Rao is a trans-disciplinary researcher whose work has ranged from mathematics and communication technologies to social media and architecture. Her highly regarded research addresses the issues of fraud and money-laundering, which has resulted in invitations to participate in national and international bodies, including the 4th United Nations Intergovernmental meeting on Cybercrime in 2018.

As Program Director for Information Security, Professor Rao has holistically incorporated management and business into a highly technical degree, equipping her students with the tools and critical thinking to address the complexities of the cybersecurity industry.

On top of her incredible work, Professor Rao is also the Founding Chair of Women in Maths, where she has played a pivotal role in introducing initiatives to improve gender equity within the mathematical sciences.

Dr Kate Selway

Earth Scientist, ARC Future Fellow,
Macquarie University.

Dr Kate Selway is a passionate Earth Scientist who uses mathematical models of her data, taken from the earth’s surface, to explore ore deposits and improve measurements of ice loss from ice sheets.

Awarded with a PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2007, Dr Selway continued working in research positions, including an ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship, until 2012. She has also worked abroad in postdoctoral research positions at Yale University (2012-2013), Columbia University (2013-2015) and the University of Oslo (2015-2016).

Dr Selway commenced an ARC Future Fellowship at Macquarie University in 2017, where she has led research teams through the deserts of central Australia, the savannas of East Africa and the frozen landscapes of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.

Dr Susanna Cramb

Strategic Research Fellow, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology.
Honorary Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research.

Dr. Susanna Cramb is a Strategic Research Fellow whose research aims to quantify and uncover the differences in chronic disease outcomes that occur from survival disparities such as one’s geographical location.

As someone who initially wanted to pursue a career in medicine, it was only after Dr. Cramb studied a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Science and Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from QUT, that she discovered her love for statistics.

In 2015, Dr. Cramb was awarded a PhD in Biostatistics. To date, her work has played a pivotal role in informing government policy aimed at reducing cancer inequalities based on residential location.

To meet and learn more about some of the amazing career pathways in mathematics, please visit ACEMS Women in Maths Spotlight.

Source: Science & Technology Australia