How many actors do you know take a break from acting and peruse this kind of alternative job?
This is great to actually see an actor using their brain. How wonderful !
Cheers to you Natalie.
If you click on this link you can get a copy of the paper Ms. Portman is on at the bottom of the page.

Another actor who comes to mind for having followed a similar path is Danica McKellar. Not just "Winnie Cooper" anymore, she's a published mathematician, having co-authored a scientific paper proving a new math theorem during her undergraduate years.

Dig it!

http://www.danicamckellar.com/mathematics.html