Three questions for Loretta
What has your career looked like to date?
I studied pure mathematics as an undergraduate and continued on to complete a PhD in topology in 2011. I moved to the US for a postdoc, after which I held teaching positions in Chicago and New York City. In 2016, I transitioned into publishing, becoming an Editor at Springer NY. There, my role was centred on acquiring and publishing textbooks in the flagship series, Graduate Texts in Mathematics and Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics. I am now Associate Publisher at the American Mathematical Society, where I publish books and help oversee the book program.
What do you do in your current position?
My work in publishing is centred on making sure the literature keeps up with the needs of the community. This includes identifying topics where a book could consolidate research efforts, help prepare graduate students, or communicate innovative teaching. At the same time, I guide individual manuscripts through the editorial board and peer review process. Navigating this environment requires an understanding of the mathematical landscape and a strong network from across pure and applied mathematics.
How has your mathematics/statistics training been useful in your career?
Essential to my job is an understanding of what mathematicians do. Having held both research and teaching positions, I had a strong foundation to establish a much broader network as a publisher. My experience in the classroom guided me immensely in textbook publishing. Day to day, I still draw upon the communication skills I honed writing exam questions; being able to write clearly and head off misunderstandings can save a lot of headaches in a team environment.
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