In the kaleidoscope of exceptional individuals, Ria Persad stands as a beacon of brilliance, weaving together the worlds of mathematics, music, and business with an unparalleled grace. Born on June 18, 1974, in Trinidad and Tobago, she embarked on a journey that transcended borders and defied expectations.
Early Years of Ria Persad: A Prodigy Emerges
At the tender age of 12, Persad moved to the United States, where her intellectual prowess quickly became evident. Under the mentorship of Eleanor F.
Helin at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she delved into Asteroid Discovery, Origin, and Motion. By 13, she was a research assistant at Boston University’s High-temperature Superconductivity Lab, foreshadowing the groundbreaking work that would define her future.
Academic Odyssey: A Trailblazer in Mathematics
By 14, Ria Persad had already developed innovative numerical integration methods, earning consecutive 1st Awards at the M.I.T. State Science Fair. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Harvard University, where she immersed herself in advanced mathematics coursework.
Graduating as the valedictorian of the Class of 1991 at Boston Latin School, Ria Persad continued her academic journey at Princeton University, contributing to Hubble Space Telescope Data Analysis.
While studying Mathematics and Physics at the University of Cambridge, she entered the Ph.D. program at Rice University before taking a detour to join NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The accolades poured in, including a Highest Honor Award from the Society of Women Engineers and recognition in the Presidential Scholars Program.
Trailblazing in the Corporate World
Transitioning seamlessly from academia to the business world, Persad identified gaps in the energy trading and weather risk management sectors. As a climatologist at Enron and Duke Energy, she developed groundbreaking weather prediction systems, earning peer-reviewed acclaim and securing her position as a leader in the Platts Global Energy Awards.
In 2009, Ria Persad founded StatWeather, a weather and climate services corporation, introducing innovative forecasting systems that doubled the accuracy of weather predictions. Awards followed, including the 2013 Newcomer of the Year Award, solidifying StatWeather’s global prominence.
Digital Pioneer and Leader
Since 2019, Ria Persad has been at the forefront of digital commerce, serving as the president of the European Chamber of Digital Commerce. Her influence extends to televised platforms, hosting the ‘Digital Future Boardroom’ and overseeing the ‘Digital Future Magazine.’
Harmony Beyond Numbers: A Musical Interlude
While her mathematical brilliance shone, Persad’s passion for classical music endured. Initially discouraged from pursuing a career as a concert pianist, she reignited her love for classical piano in 2008.
Winning competitions, performing at Carnegie Hall, and releasing the all-Yamaha CD “Solace” in 2011, Persad seamlessly merged her mathematical precision with musical artistry.
Personal Touch: Marriage, Divorce, and Philanthropy
In 2009, Ria Persad married Mark Christopher Carlo, a chemical engineer, but the marriage ended in divorce. Undeterred, she founded the Freedom Scholars of America, awarding over 100 university scholarships.
Currently serving as an Advisor to JHS-Tek, a health and fitness technology startup, she continues to inspire and contribute to various fields.
Also Read: Srinivasa Varadhan: From Chennai to Global Mathematical Acclaim