Andrés R. Vindas Meléndez

Andrés R. Vindas Meléndez is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. Previously, he was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at UC Berkeley, and a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath). He holds a PhD from the University of Kentucky, a master’s from San Francisco State University, and a bachelor’s from UC Berkeley, with minors in Philosophy and Chicanx & Latinx Studies.

Education:

• PhD in Mathematics, University of Kentucky (with certificate in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies)
• MA in Mathematics, San Francisco State University
• BA in Mathematics, UC Berkeley

Research Interests: His work spans algebraic, enumerative, and geometric combinatorics, including Ehrhart theory, Catalan combinatorics, and polynomial properties. He also focuses on quantitative justice and the application of mathematics to social justice issues. Key areas include data science for equity, interdisciplinary studies of societal issues, and fostering inclusive mathematics communities.

Professional Activities: He has participated in programs at SLMath (Algorithms, Fairness, & Equity) and ICERM (Data Science & Social Justice). His teaching philosophy emphasizes building confidence in mathematics and challenging systemic inequities in academic spaces.