Christina Edholm, associate professor of mathematics at Scripps College in Claremont, California, has been named the 2026 Etta Z. Falconer Lecturer by the Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America.
Named for long-time Spelman College faculty member Etta Zuber Falconer, the award celebrates women whose careers reflect excellence in mathematics alongside a sustained commitment to education, mentorship, and equity. As this year’s award recipient, Dr. Edholm will deliver her lecture, “Bridging the Gap With Mathematical Modeling,” at the Mathematical Association of America’s MathFest in Boston, Massachusetts, in August.
Bridging mathematics and the study of biological systems, Dr. Edholm’s research centers on invasive species control and epidemiological modeling. She frequently works with international research partners, stemming from her involvement in the MASUMA program in Zimbabwe and the American Institute of Mathematics SQuaRE program. Dr. Edholm is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Women in Mathematical Biology Research Community.
Dr. Edholm earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before joining the Scripps College faculty, she completed postdoctoral training at the University of Tennessee.