Kimberly S. Weems

Math Alliance Mentor
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC


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Kimberly S. Weems, Ph.D. is a native of Cartersville, Georgia. As a teenager, she competed in math quiz bowls and participated in summer mathematics enrichment programs. After graduating from high school, Weems entered Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned a B.S. in mathematics.

After college, Weems was accepted into the doctoral program in applied mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Throughout her graduate school years, she received fellowship support from the National Physical Science Consortium, a program that is comprised of select universities and corporate and government sponsors. She was sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and gained valuable experience by participating in NSA's research programs.

In 2000, Weems was among the first three African-American women to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Maryland. After completing an internship at NSA, she accepted a post-doctoral research position in the Statistics Department at NC State, where she later joined the faculty. She also held a visiting research position at the University of Alicante in Spain. Her research areas include generalized linear models, measurement error models, and environmental statistics.

Weems has maintained strong ties with her alma mater, Spelman College. She and her colleagues at NC State have received a collaborative grant with Spelman to train students in the analysis of environmental data. The students have analyzed data for client organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Environment Canada. Through this program, the students have had an opportunity to apply their technical skills to a real problem and to improve their oral and written communication skills.

In addition to her research interests, Weems is committed to increasing diversity in the mathematical sciences. She and fellow Spelman alumnae, Drs. Leona Harris and Tanya Moore, were the co-chairs for the 2007 Infinite Possibilities Conference. This two-day conference is designed to celebrate, encourage and promote women of color in the mathematical sciences. The event featured presentations in all mathematical and statistical disciplines in addition to panel and small group discussions on health and wellness, work and family issues, and professional development.

Weems has received numerous honors and awards, notably the Advocacy Award from the Association for the Concerns of African-American Graduate Students and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at NC State.


Last Updated: 1/5/2010
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