Edward James Olmos and Erika Camacho

On June 25, 2018 the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) declared 140 individuals and organizations to be recipients of Presidential Awards for Excellence in teaching or mentoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  Dr. Erika Camacho, associate professor at Arizona State University’s School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, was among the individuals recognized for exemplary mentoring.  According to ASU News, this is the highest honor given to mentors working in the STEM fields.  Camacho is one of four women to receive this honor since 1996 and along with the other recipients she will receive a “presidential citation at an awards ceremony and participate in discussions on STEM and STEM education priorities led by OSTP and NSF” (NSF).

Camacho has contributed to three IPAM conferences.  She was an organizer of the 2010 Infinite Possibilities Conference, and a speaker at the 2014 Blackwell-Tapia Conference and Awards Ceremony and the 2015 Latinos in the Mathematical Sciences Conference.  She will also participate as a project leader in IPAM’s upcoming Collaborative Workshop for Women in Mathematical Biology.