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Niny Arcila-Maya was born and raised in Manizales, Colombia, a beautiful city located in the Colombian
coffee region. Growing up in a lower-class household, as the daughter of coffee farmers and factory
workers, she developed a deep appreciation for hard work and perseverance. She owes immense
gratitude to her parents, Lina Maya-López and Fernando Arcila-Palacio, for steadfastly encouraging her
academic pursuits.
She completed her B.Sc. in Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude) in 2013 and her M.Sc. in Mathematics in
2016 at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Manizales and Medellín, respectively. In 2021, she
earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia. After spending two and a half
years at Duke University as a William W. Elliott Assistant Research Professor, she is set to join the
Department of Mathematics at San Francisco State University as an Assistant Professor, where she will
be part of a team dedicated to advancing the success of Black and Latinx/e students.
Niny's research centers on both algebraic topology and topological data analysis (TDA). She is interested
in studying the structure of topological Azumaya algebras, and, also, in using algebraic topology
techniques to tackle problems in diverse fields such as biology, climate science, and social justice. She
finds great joy in TDA research due to its interdisciplinary nature, allowing her to collaborate with scholars
from various disciplines and apply algebraic topology to real-world scenarios.
Niny is a committed educator who understands the complexities of teaching and enjoys enhancing her
skills through workshops on teaching, mentoring, and coaching. She views her students as intellectual,
social, and emotional beings and aims to create a classroom environment where they not only learn
valuable mathematical skills for their careers but also feel respected, welcomed, and encouraged to be
themselves. Niny supports inclusive teaching strategies aligned with the Narrative Change pillar of the
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Framework. She has mentored undergraduate students in
directed reading programs, independent studies, and summer research projects, and also volunteers as a
mentor for the Association of Women in Mathematics.
Having completed most of her education in Colombia, Niny is aware of some of the needs of mathematics
students in Latin America, and is dedicated to providing them with positive mathematical experiences.
Recognizing the potential of Directed Reading Programs (DRPs) to meet these needs, she founded an
online DRP in Spanish, called Pares Ordenados. Alongside her esteemed colleagues, Maye Cárdenas
and Carlos Ospina, Niny co-organizes this program to offer mentorship to Spanish-speaking students in
Latin America. Through Pares Ordenados, students explore mathematics in ways they might not
otherwise have the opportunity to and build connections with experienced Latinx mathematicians who
serve as role models for their academic journeys. Since its inception in 2023, the program has engaged
78 participants from 10 countries around the world.
“Hispanic Heritage Month means to me a period of introspection regarding the needs of our community,
as well as a time to deliberate on how our professional capacities can be harnessed to serve and uplift
our students, collaborators, and colleagues. Moreover, it is an opportunity to celebrate the great efforts
and achievements of our community members.
I am deeply honored and humbled to be featured in this inspiring calendar alongside some of my most
admired heroes and mentors!”