Marcella Azure Manivel is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota where she studies number theory and automorphic forms with Professor Paul Garrett. She is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program as well as the College of Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. She has worked as an Instructor at St. Olaf College and is a Carleton College graduate. Previously, she has participated in the Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) program, as well as studied abroad with Budapest Semesters in Mathematics.

Marcella’s start to mathematics was a bit rocky. In elementary school, she tested into remedial math. Not because she didn’t follow what they were learning, but because she didn’t want to memorize the multiplication tables. She spent most of elementary school thinking that math was boring before being reassigned to a new math class. After learning in middle and high school that there was beautiful structure in mathematics, she decided to take math classes in college. However, she didn’t seriously consider majoring in it until the professor for her intro to proofs class told her that being a mathematician was a real job - one where you could get paid to go to graduate school.

Born in Minnesota, Marcella describes growing up feeling distant from her Mexican culture. And at times, she didn’t really know what it meant to her to be Mexican. Marcella still sometimes wrestle with that, but it has helped her to realize that there are as many different ways to be Mexican as there are Mexicans. She describes that getting closer to her family in Mexico, being more intentional about learning Mexican culture and history, figuring out how to roll her r’s, and growing up have all helped her feel much closer to, and more confident in, her “Identidad Mexicana”.

Manivel’s service contributions to mathematics are primarily motivated by being an extroverted “people person” who wants everyone to know that they belong in math. She strives to cultivate an inclusive mathematical community and her service work reflects that. For instance, she is an organizer for the Mathematics Project at Minnesota, a week-long workshop for undergraduates whose goal is to increase the participation and success of underrepresented groups in mathematics. Throughout the week, there are community building activities, professional development opportunities, and mathematical exploration. Manivel describes seeing the participants connect, grow, and become part of the math community as one of the most rewarding parts about the program. The Mathematics Project at Minnesota was awarded the AMS’s “Programs That Make a Difference Award” in 2024. For further information, see sites.google.com/view/mpm-umn/

Manivel has also served the Gender Minorities in Math group (the University of Minnesota’s chapter of the AWM) for her entire time in graduate school, most recently as the President of the organization. The group hosts professional development events, community building opportunities, and an annual colloquium which was instigated under her leadership. Within her own research community, Manivel saw that the number theory graduate students needed more opportunities to connect with researchers outside of their own institution as well as come together as a number theory community. This prompted her to organize the University of Minnesota’s Graduate Student Number Theory Seminar.

In addition to organizing workshops, seminars, and events that help create a more welcoming mathematical community, Manivel mentors undergraduate students one-on-one through the University of Minnesota’s Directed Reading Program.

Manivel’s outreach also extends to cultivating mathematical excitement for youth. She works with the University of Minnesota’s Mathematics Center for Educational Programs as a volunteer for their Saturday Morning Math Program, where she helps 5th-7th graders do hands-on interactive mathematical experiments. She has also worked with the Girls Excel at Math summer camp as an instructor, and been a letter writer with Letters to a Pre-Scientist.

For her excellent service and leadership, Manivel was awarded the Presidential Student Leadership and Service Award from the University of Minnesota; in recognition of her outstanding mentoring and teaching, Manivel earned the University of Minnesota Department of Mathematics’s Outstanding TA Award; and in light of her exceptional research potential, Manivel is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

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“I’ve learned that there’s so much beautiful diversity in what it means to be Mexican, American, Mexican-American, and a Latina. Hispanic Heritage Month, for me, is a time to keep that at the forefront of my mind and take the opportunity to share my Orgullo Mexicano. It’s also a time to reflect on the broader Latino community and ask how I can better leverage my privilege to support the community domestically. If you’re looking for resources to help you do the same, I’d enthusiastically recommend calling your elected officials or volunteering for a politician whose values align with yours.”

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