Organizing Committee

The success of the Underrepresented Students in Topology and Algebra Research Symposium (USTARS) depends on the dedication and teamwork of the organizers who volunteer to run the event.  The conference organizing committee is remarkably diverse in gender, ethnicity, and educational background, and hence is well-positioned to encourage participation by women and minorities. 

Jeannine Abiva

Dr. Jeannine Abiva graduated from The University of Iowa with a Ph.D in Applied Mathematics in 2013.  She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics in 2006 and earned a Master's in Mathematics from The University of Iowa in 2008.  Currently, she is working in Florida as a Scientist.  Her research interests include machine learning, computational geometry, parallel programming, and various applications in math involving computer graphics and computational neuroscience. 

Syvillia Averett

Dr. Syvillia Averett, an Ohio native, graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2006 and earned both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Iowa in 2008 and 2012 respectively. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the College of Coastal Georgia.

Although her main area of research is representation theory, Dr. Averett also has a passion for mathematics education, mentoring, and increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM.  Syvillia is currently a mentor in the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in the Mathematical Sciences and an active member of the Dayton Regional STEM School board.  Dr. Averett is a founding member of USTARS.

Erik Insko

Dr. Erik Insko is an Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.  A first generation college graduate, he earned his Ph.D. from The University of Iowa in June 2012.   His research interests are in algebraic geometry and combinatorics.   Dr. Insko is a founding member of  USTARS.

Candice Price

Dr. Candice Price is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of San Diego.  She graduated with a BA in Mathematics from California State University, Chico State in 2003, and graduated with a MA in Mathematics from San Francisco State University in 2007.  In 2012, she earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from The University of Iowa.  Her primary area of research is DNA Topology, but she has many other interests that include Knot Theory, Mathematics Education and Mathematical Biology.  She is a founding member of USTARS.


Shannon Talbott

Dr. Shannon Talbott is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa in 2012, and her research interests include representation theory of finite groups and finite dimensional algebras and dimension theory of partially ordered sets. She is a longstanding member of SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science).