Professor Bryna Kra, the Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor of Mathematics in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences,is being recognized for her outstanding support and mentorship of young mathematicians as well as her service to both her department and the University. Contributions include expanding the department’s postdoctoral programs, establishing mentoring groups within the department and across the University, and serving on a diverse list of University committees.
According to one nomination, “The mathematics department simply wouldn’t be what it is today without her continuous, consistent and unswerving guidance.”
In her mentorship role, Kra seeks to create a more diverse mathematical community, working in particular with women and members of other historically underrepresented groups. She founded the Women in Mathematics group at Northwestern in 2005 and continues to organize meetings. Kra also founded GROW (GraduateResearch Opportunities for Women), an annual conference specifically designed to increase the representation of women in mathematics. After being held for three years at Northwestern, the award-winning conference now is hosted by other universities.
Kra is a co-founder and co-organizer of the Causeway Postbaccalaureate Program in Northwestern’s mathematics department. This innovative yearlong program aims to increase the number of graduate students in mathematics from historically underrepresented groups. The program’s first cohort started this academic year.