Omayra Ortega


Omayra Y. Ortega is an American mathematician, specializing in mathematical epidemiology. Ortega is an assistant professor of mathematics & statistics at Sonoma State University in Sonoma County, California, and the newsletter editor for the National Association of Mathematicians.

Early life and education

Ortega was born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Her parents are originally from Panama.
Ortega received Bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and music from Pomona College in 2001. She did her graduate studies at the University of Iowa, where she earned her Master’s degree in 2005, and her PhD in 2008, both in the "Applied Mathematics & Computational Science" program as well as, a Master's in Public Health degree in 2005. Her dissertation was on mathematical epidemiology, titled "Evaluation of Rotavirus models with coinfection and vaccination" under the advisement of Herbert W. Hethcote and Tong Li.

Career

In 2006 Ortega became an instructor of applied mathematics at Arizona State University and was promoted to assistant professor after she received her PhD in 2008. In 2017 Ortega became a visiting assistant professor of mathematics at her undergraduate institution Pomona College. In 2018 she became an assistant professor of mathematics and statistics at Sonoma State College, a position she currently holds.
Ortega is the editor-in-chief of the NAM editorial board to the Mathematical Association of America MathValues blog, as well as editor of the NAM Newsletter. and chair of the NAM Publicity and Publications Committee.
Ortega has been featured in the PBS show SciGirls.

Awards and recognition

In 2020 Ortega was named an Association for Women in Mathematics Service Award recipient. She was also recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black as a Black History Month 2020 Honoree.

Personal life

Ortega trains in Capoiera.