Mariel Vazquez
Faculty Director for the Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS).
Professor of Mathematics
Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
I hold a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Florida State University. My doctoral studies were supported by fellowships from DGAPA UNAM and the Program for Mathematics and Molecular Biology/Burroughs Wellcome Fund. After graduating I moved to California where I was a Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley. I spent nine years in the faculty at San Francisco State University and joined UC Davis in 2014 as Professor of Mathematics and of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, and as CAMPOS Faculty Scholar.
My research focuses on the applications of mathematical and computational methods in biology, with an emphasis on the topological changes mediated by proteins that act on DNA, on the study of chromosome packing in viruses and in cells, and of chromosomal rearrangements in cancer. More recently my group has moved part of its focus to study the evolution and dynamics of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.
In my role as faculty Director of the CAMPOS, I oversee a group of 34 STEMM faculty across 8 different colleges and schools. Most are women and come from groups currently underrepresented in their discipline. My vision for CAMPOS is centered in the success and retention of its scholars. My goal is to strengthen this community of scholars who bring gender and multicultural perspectives to STEMM sciences and give them the tools to succeed in the academic environment. I want to ensure that CAMPOS continues to create a broader community of scholars by creating new opportunities through team science and partnerships with other STEM Faculty on campus and in the surrounding community, and encourage the next generation of STEM Scientists.
Why I Do DEI Work
I believe that in order to achieve true diversity in STEMM we must level the playing field and focus our efforts on supporting research excellence. I lead a highly interdisciplinary group where students with a variety of backgrounds learn to use mathematical and computational tools to tackle important biological problems. All my higher education training and professional positions have been at large public universities. In my journey I have learned that education is a right and everyone deserves access to high quality, low-cost education.
Motto/Hashtag
“Put one foot ahead of the other and keep moving forward.”
Social Media
Personal: @arsuaga3
CAMPOS: @CAMPOSUCDavis1
Last updated August 31, 2022