Dr. Olivia Feldman (formerly Prosper) is an Associate Professor of Mathematics working at the interface of mathematics and biology, with a focus on infectious disease modeling. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Florida in 2012, which was followed by a postdoc at Dartmouth College. In 2021, Dr. Feldman received an NSF CAREER grant and Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance Excellence in Research award.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

“I am grateful for the mentors throughout my life and career who have contributed to my success in unique ways. Being a Vol means passing that on to the next generation of students at the University of Tennessee, and using my skills to give back to my community. At UT, I’ve had the opportunity to engage non-STEM students in quantitative work outside the classroom. Observing the creativity spurred from that venture inspires me to continue seeking mathematical potential where it may be overlooked.”

See all the 2024 award recipients here.