Alejandra is an Assistant Professor and a Nellie McKay Fellow in the Department of Statistics at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. This year, she is also a Visiting Professor at UNAM (Instituto de
Matemáticas). She completed her Ph.D. in Statistics at Columbia University under the direction of Prof.
Philip Protter. Her research interests lie primarily in problems in probability, stochastic processes, and
statistics motivated by their applications, particularly in mathematical finance and more specifically in
credit risk theory.

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During her Ph.D. program, she held a Fulbright grant, received the Howard Levene Outstanding Teaching
Award, and was one of the finalists for the 2021 and 2022 Presidential Awards for Outstanding Teaching
by a Graduate Student at Columbia University. Before graduate school, she had a merit scholarship to
major in Actuarial Sciences at Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) where she graduated
Summa Cum Laude and was the Valedictorian of her class.

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Alejandra’s research mainly contributes to probability theory, stochastic processes, and statistics with
applications in mathematical finance. She developed a multivariate version of the Cox Process, which
allows for modeling dependent stopping times with a positive probability of coinciding events. Using this
multivariate stochastic process, she has proposed a new measure of systemic risk, which is consistent
with economic theories of financial market failures and can be easily estimated using existing
methodologies. Alejandra also studied a marginal probability that changes with the number of random
variables in the joint distribution. Such an idea is key to determining the optimal group size in
microlending, this is the group size that minimizes the probability of default of the group in microloans for
low-income borrowers. Her research also advances the understanding of multiple stopping times,
particularly when they are not independent. She has provided closed-form solutions for the probability of
coinciding stopping times and extended this analysis to multiple stopping times, offering new insights into
the dependencies within complex networks.

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Alejandra is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, focusing on creating a supportive and effective
learning environment. She is passionate about positively impacting her students' lives and prioritizes
understanding and addressing her students' individual needs, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
She balances the need for mathematical rigor with the importance of intuition in a way that is accessible
and engaging.

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Mentoring is a central component of Alejandra’s academic identity. Being the first in her family to get a
Ph.D., she better understands the challenges faced by students from underrepresented groups in
academia. She has actively mentored students, offering guidance and support to those interested in
pursuing careers in mathematics and statistics. Her involvement in formal and informal mentoring, and
her participation in conferences outside of the US underscores her commitment to helping students
navigate their academic and professional journeys.

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Alejandra’s service to the Mathematical Sciences is driven by her commitment to diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DEI). She has co-organized networking meetings and panels for women in STEM within her
department and at the broader university level. Her role in the Department of Statistics at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison allows her to actively shape policies that promote a more inclusive academic
environment. Furthermore, her participation in conferences, like the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM
Conference, demonstrates her dedication to advancing DEI initiatives beyond her immediate academic
community. She is always willing and excited to share both her research and personal story to inspire and
guide students from underrepresented backgrounds.

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Alejandra was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, and currently lives in Mexico City. She loves running!
She has run 8 marathons so far and is training for the next one.

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“For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to come together and celebrate our rich and vibrant
cultural heritage, as well as the unique perspectives we bring to the mathematical sciences. As a Mexican
woman and the first in my family to pursue a Ph.D., I understand the importance of having relatable role
models. This month showcases our stories and successes, inspiring younger generations to join and
enrich our community, while recognizing the vital contributions we, Latinxs and Hispanics, are making to
shape the future of our field.”

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