Paula Mercurio

Paula Mercurio earned a BA in mathematics from the University of Minnesota Morris, and a PhD in mathematics from Michigan State University. During her doctoral studies, she became involved in the intersections between math, data science, and computer science, particularly in problems involving network data. She is passionate about teaching undergraduates and inquiry-based teaching strategies that promote inclusivity in the classroom.

Paula's research interests are both broad and interdisciplinary, comprising a variety of topics related to network science and machine learning, as well as applications to data science, biology, and other sciences. She is particularly interested in the vast range of situations that can be effectively modeled as networks and better understood using network science. Her past and current projects have covered a range of topics and applications, including biochemical reactions, explainable and interpretable AI, drug discovery, and fungal networks.

Paula believes that mathematical literacy is a vital skill for everyone, regardless of major or career goals. As a teacher, she hopes to enable all of her students to engage with math in a meaningful and enlightening way. Everyone is capable of success in math and data science, so Paula strives to provide an accessible, supportive, and welcoming learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed. Her classes frequently involve active learning and small group work, and encourage student engagement and discovery.