Rate My Professor Kimberly Roth

Kimberly Roth is Professor of Statistics and Mathematics at Juniata College, where she has served since 2006, following her tenure as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Wheeling Jesuit University from 2002 to 2006. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from The Pennsylvania State University in 2002 under advisor Grzegorz Świątek, a Master’s in Applied Statistics from Penn State in 2016, and a B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from Oberlin College in 1996. Roth also studied at the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program in 1996-1997. At Juniata, she teaches a wide range of courses including Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Statistical Consulting, Bayesian Statistics, Multivariate Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Differential Equations, Chaos and Fractals, Introduction to Data Science, and Quantitative Methods. She co-developed the college’s Data Science program, both undergraduate and master’s levels, and directed the Master’s in Data Science program starting in Fall 2016.

Roth’s research specializations encompass the scholarship of teaching and learning in mathematics and statistics, statistical techniques for microbial genomics and bacterial communities, complex dynamics, data science applications including random forests and clustering, and intersections of mathematics with art and democracy. Key publications include “Bacterial Community Dynamics in Dichloromethane-Contaminated Groundwater Undergoing Natural Attenuation” (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2017, co-author), “The Grieving Mathematician and Mother” (Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, 2018), “Julia Sets that are Full of Holes” (Mathematical Intelligencer, 2008), “On Becoming a Statistician” (MAA FOCUS, 2017/2018), and “The Genomics Leadership Initiative at Juniata College” (Juniata Voices, 2015, co-author). She has received major awards such as the Robert V. Hogg Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Statistics (SIGMAA-StatEd, 2019), Beachley Award for Distinguished Service (Juniata College, 2023), Distinguished Faculty Mentor of Undergraduate Mathematics Students Award and Mentor Award (Allegheny Mountain Section MAA, 2022), Service Award (Allegheny Mountain Section MAA, 2017), and Project NExT Fellowship (MAA, 2002-2003). Roth has held significant committee roles including co-chair of the Mellon Grant Group in Integrative and Applied Learning, Faculty Governance Committee, Curriculum Committee at Juniata, and leadership in the MAA Allegheny Mountain Section (Past Chair, NExT co-coordinator) and national committees on women’s participation and contributed paper sessions. Her influence is evident in student advising, genomics collaborations, and contributions to Mathemalchemy, a mathematics-art installation.