Katz School Mathematics Professor Marian Gidea has been appointed to the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a program director in the Mathematical Sciences Division. "This distinction is awarded only to the most accomplished researchers in their respective fields," said Dr. Paul Russo, dean of the Katz School and university vice provost. "His appointment as an NSF program director is further validation of his expertise as a national researcher and of Yeshiva University's prestige as a research university, and we're excited for him." In this annually rotating role, Dr. Gidea will be guiding and evaluating research at the national level. He will be involved in various programs on promoting new directions in science, engineering and technology, on supporting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, and on influencing STEM education at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels. In the Katz School's M.A. degree in mathematics program, based in New York City, students gain a solid foundation in advanced mathematics and develop skills in mathematical modeling, numerical applications and data analysis in order to succeed in a variety of professions. A master's degree in mathematics opens many doors to jobs in finance, technology, biomedicine and data analysis, among others. The master’s program also provides an excellent foundation for the Ph.D. program. In the first year of the Ph.D. program, students take required courses and are expected to pass an advanced qualifying examination in real analysis, complex analysis and a third field chosen by the student in his or her intended area of research. After passing the qualifying exams, students can choose electives or reading courses in specialized topics and start to work on the research thesis with the guidance of a faculty adviser. Upon completion and successful defense of the thesis, the Ph.D. degree is awarded. Yeshiva University has an exceptional tradition and legacy in mathematical physics and an impressive track record of training research mathematicians. Famous alumni include Hillel Furstenberg (Abel Prize in Mathematics 2020), Benjamin Weiss, Michael Aizenman and Charles Peskin. Jobs in math occupations are expected to grow 27% until 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, and will add about 56,100 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is based on the expectation that businesses and government agencies will continue emphasizing the use of big data. Math salaries were on average $90,410 in 2019. See how the Katz M.A. and Ph.D. programs in mathematics are making the world smarter, safer and healthier: https://bit.ly/3iccNOQ.