Dr. Daniela A. Beckelhymer is a mathematician, whose work connects climate modeling, dynamical systems, teaching, mentoring, and public service. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she studied mathematical models of Arctic sea ice loss and was considered one of the most outstanding graduating Ph.D. students in her class. She is also an incoming American Mathematical Society Congressional Fellow, a role through which she will bring mathematical training into federal science policy.

Born in Mexico City and later raised in South Texas, Daniela is a first-generation immigrant whose path into mathematics was shaped by public education, border communities, and a deep commitment to expanding access. Her academic path has been shaped and recognized by competitive fellowships, honors, and national programs, including the Ford Predoctoral Fellowship, the University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, the Sylvia T. Bozeman Predoctoral Fellowship, the Lathisms Scholarship, the DOVE Fellowship, the NSF S-STEM Scholarship, and the EDGE Program; she has also been recognized as a first-place winner in the Midwest Data Science Competition and as Southwestern University’s Most Outstanding Mathematics Student.

As an incoming AMS Congressional Fellow, Daniela will bring her mathematical training, interdisciplinary background, and commitment to public service into the federal policy space. Her career reflects a broader vision of scholarship: one in which technical expertise, lived experience, and civic responsibility reinforce one another.

Her teaching contributions include work as a graduate course instructor, summer instructor, teaching assistant, curriculum developer, textbook writing assistant, and long-term tutor. Her teaching philosophy centers on helping students become independent mathematical thinkers: building the confidence to solve problems, pursue questions on their own, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly to others.

Daniela’s mentoring and service have been central to her academic work. She has mentored, recruited, organized, and built community through programs and leadership roles including Math Alliance, Field of Dreams, the Association for Women in Mathematics, Women in Science and Engineering, National Math Stars, the Council for the Advancement of Underrepresented Scientists and Engineers, SIAM, SACNAS, McNair, LSAMP, and Hispanic and Latinx student organizations. Through these roles, she has helped students navigate research opportunities, graduate school, professional networks, and the often-hidden expectations of academic mathematics.

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