Johana E. Thomas Zapata
About me
Johana Thomas Zapata is a Honduran Garífuna mathematician, educator, and researcher. The Garífuna are a Black Indigenous community from the Caribbean coast of Central America. Her academic background is in applied mathematics, including calculus and related fields, which later led her to mathematics education. Her work focuses on the applicability of mathematics in equitable ways, centering students’ cultural, linguistic, and lived experiences to support participation of underrepresented groups in science.
J. Elizabeth Thomas Zapata is a Honduran Garífuna mathematician, educator, and researcher. The Garífuna are a Black Indigenous community with deep historical and cultural roots along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Her identity and lived experiences strongly shape her commitment to equity, representation, and access in mathematics and science.
Johana’s academic trajectory began in applied mathematics, with a strong foundation in calculus and related areas. Through her experiences as a student and instructor, she became increasingly interested in how mathematics is taught, learned, and used in real-world contexts. This path led her to mathematics education, where she focuses on the applicability of mathematics as a tool for understanding, problem-solving, and social engagement.
Her work centers on mathematical modeling and equitable instructional practices that integrate students’ cultural and linguistic resources into mathematics classrooms. She examines how these approaches can support students’ agency, identity, and sense of belonging, particularly for learners from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities in science.
In addition to her research, Johana has extensive experience teaching and mentoring students across diverse educational settings. She is committed to bridging applied mathematics, education, and equity to create meaningful and inclusive pathways for participation in STEM fields.
Degrees:
La Habana, Cuba
Tegucigalpa, Honduras