Biography:
Fern Yvette Hunt, born on January 14, 1948, in New York City, is an accomplished American mathematician who has made significant contributions in the fields of applied mathematics and mathematical biology. Currently a researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Hunt focuses her research on the ergodic theory of dynamical systems.
Hunt’s intellectual journey was influenced early on by her family and teachers. She was born to parents Daphne Lindsay and Thomas Edward Hunt, with her sister Erica Hunt also becoming a celebrated poet and author. Hunt’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Jamaica before World War I. Growing up in a primarily black housing project in Hampton, Virginia, Hunt’s father did not complete high school, while her mother attended Hunter College but did not earn a degree. At the age of 9, Hunt was gifted a chemistry set by her mother for Christmas, which sparked her early interest in science. Her middle school science teacher, Charles Wilson, further encouraged Hunt to pursue math and science.
After attending the Bronx High School of Science, Hunt’s focus shifted from science to mathematics. Following her mother’s encouragement, she enrolled at Bryn Mawr College, where she earned an A.B. in mathematics in 1969. Determined to further her education, Hunt went on to obtain a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the Courant Institute of Mathematics at New York University in 1978. Her Ph.D. thesis, titled Genetic and Spatial Variation in some Selection-Migration Models, was advised by Frank Hoppensteadt.
Hunt began her academic career at the University of Utah and subsequently joined Howard University in 1978 as an assistant professor in the mathematics department. She remained at Howard University until 1993, during which time she also worked at the National Institutes of Health in the Laboratory of Mathematical Biology (1981-1982) and the National Bureau of Standards (1986-1991). In addition, Hunt served as a member of the GRE Mathematics Advisory Board at Educational Testing Service (ETS) from 1988 to 1991.
After leaving Howard University, Hunt started working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 1993. Her role involved working on mathematical problems within the fields of physics and chemistry research. While at NIST, she also continued her own research on the ergodic theory of dynamical systems, a topic she remains dedicated to exploring.
Aside from her research endeavors, Hunt is a passionate advocate of mathematics education and dedicated to mentoring minority students. She frequently lectures at colleges and universities, sharing her experiences of overcoming setbacks as a black woman in mathematics and inspiring students to pursue careers in mathematics. In 1998, she served as an instructor at a summer workshop for women entering Ph.D. programs in mathematics organized by the EDGE Foundation (Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education).
Awards:
– In 2000, Hunt was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for her outstanding contributions to mentoring minority students in mathematics.
Fern Hunt’s journey as a mathematician has not only contributed to the field of mathematics but has also broken barriers and inspired underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in STEM. Her dedication to mentoring and promoting diversity has left a lasting impact on the mathematics community.