Jemar Bather Named Rising Star

Jemar Bather

Congratulations to doctoral student Jemar Bather who was recently named a Rising Star by the website Mathematically Gifted and Black. Rising Stars are young, up-and-coming mathematicians which are already exhibiting promising potential & providing outstanding contributions for the math community.

From Jemar Bather via Mathematically Gifted and Black: 

Born in Jamaica and raised in Bronx, NY, my single mother championed my mathematical pursuits. She worked full-time, attended community college, and still managed to find time to help me with my math homework. Given that she migrated to the US for a better life, she wanted to provide me with a quality education. Therefore, she applied for a scholarship for me to attend St. Nicholas of Tolentine, a Bronx private school. In part, to acing the math section of the scholarship examination, the tuition cost was reduced. This was the first of many doors the mathematical sciences would open for me. Next, I enrolled at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), where I majored in statistics. I was selected as a teaching assistant for PSU’s introductory statistics course, was inducted into the Statistical Honor Society, and was involved with the Statistics Club. After graduation, I leveraged my degree for social impact as a Data Analyst in the non-profit sector, using my skills to improve academic outcomes among low-income children. At the same time, I enrolled in New York University’s MS in Applied Statistics program. Through this program, I gained mentors who believed I had the statistical acumen to pursue a doctorate. I am thankful for those mentors, my academic training, and my mother because I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Biostatistics at Harvard. I encourage the next generation of Black statisticians to seek as many mentors as possible by being your authentic self.”