Mary Gray

Professor Mary W. Gray is a distinguished academic at American University’s Department of Mathematics, holding a JD from Washington College of Law and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Kansas. Her work bridges statistics, law, and human rights, with notable contributions to gender equity in STEM and statistical analysis of social justice issues. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Middle East Education Foundation and Treasurer of the Universal Education Foundation.

Education:

• JD in Law, Washington College of Law, American University
• PhD in Mathematics, University of Kansas
• MA in Mathematics, University of Kansas
• AB in Mathematics and Physics, Hastings College

Research Interests: Professor Gray focuses on applications of statistics to human rights investigations, gender equity in education, and legal policy analysis. Current projects include studies on learning disabilities in mathematics, women’s leadership in mathematical sciences, and human rights in post-conflict regions like Iraq. She recently completed work on genocide statistics and sanitation’s impact on women’s education.

Grants & Awards: Recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring, multiple honorary doctorates, and fellowships from the American Statistical Association and AAAS. Funded projects include NSF grants for underrepresented groups in STEM and U.S. State Department initiatives in Iraq.

Professional Engagement:

• Member of over 15 professional organizations including the American Statistical Association and Mathematical Association of America
• Provided expert statistical testimony in discrimination cases across multiple U.S. states
• Consulted for international bodies like the Kurdistan Regional Government and Public Health Agency of Canada

Advocacy: Founder of the Association for Women in Mathematics and former leader of Amnesty International USA. Her congressional testimony addresses tax reform, age discrimination, and social security policy.

Publications: Authored two textbooks and over 80 articles, including seminal works on statistical methods in human rights and gender equity in academia.