Fox Cities News

Graduating senior Fatima Muñiz from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh is known for her inquisitive nature and dedication to understanding complex mathematical concepts. As a member of the Honors College and a McNair Scholar, Muñiz has excelled in her studies, aiming to pursue a doctorate in mathematics after graduation on December 14.

Muñiz's interest in mathematics was sparked during an AP calculus course at St. Mary Catholic High School in Neenah, where she developed a habit of asking detailed questions about the subject matter. Her approach was noted by math professor David Penniston at UWO, who observed that her inquiries often led to insightful discussions. “The questions Fatima asks are almost invariably aimed at fully grasping concepts and making connections between them,” Penniston said.

Raised in Neenah by parents originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, Muñiz is the first in her family to attend college. Her father worked various jobs before establishing his own company, Muñiz Concrete. Despite financial challenges, her parents emphasized the importance of education as a path to better opportunities. “My dad always said, ‘I want my kids to leave the nest, go out there and get the opportunities I couldn’t have,’” she recalled.

Muñiz graduated as valedictorian from high school but initially struggled with imposter syndrome during AP calculus classes. A supportive teacher helped boost her confidence by pointing out her high performance compared to peers who seemed more vocal in class.

In addition to excelling academically at UWO, Muñiz participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Washington State University over the summer. She worked on creating an algorithm related to unilateral equitransitive tilings (UET), reducing potential configurations from 400 down to 99 valid ones through this research project.

Her work impressed Professor Penniston so much that he invited her to present it at a colloquium last semester. He remarked on her impressive presentation skills: “If teaching ends up being part of Fatima’s professional future, her students will be in good hands.”

Muñiz remains committed to contributing meaningful research across various fields such as computer science and physics while pursuing further academic achievements.