Past Events

Nonparametric density estimation is a challenging problem in theoretical statistics -- in general a maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) does not even exist! Introducing shape constraints allows a path forward. In this talk I will first discuss non...

Steklov eigenproblems and their variants (where the spectral parameter appears in the boundary condition) arise in a range of useful applications. For instance, understanding some properties of the mixed Steklov-Neumann eigenfunctions tells us why...

Mathematical biology presents very many exciting scientific challenges. In this talk I will focus on five: understanding the process of biological pattern formation, analysing the dynamics of spreading populations, assessing the emergence of...

In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, the number 42 was revealed to be the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything”. But he didn’t say what the question was! I will reveal that here. In fact it is a...

The theory of random graphs is one of the most developed parts of modern combinatorics. This theory was initiated by Erdos and Renyi in the early 60’s and has evolved into a deep and beautiful area of study with numerous applications. Several...

Mathematics on the Indian subcontinent has been flourishing for over two and a half millennia, and this culture of inquiry has produced insights and techniques that are central to many of our mathematical practices today, such as the base ten decimal...

Ginzburg–Landau theory is one of the oldest models in classical field theory for spontaneous symmetry breaking through the Higgs mechanism. Minimizers of the Ginzburg–Landau free energy, called vortices, are well-understood, especially in 2...

The Arab mathematician al-Khwarizmi is usually said to be the 'father of algebra', or otherwise that 'the Arabs invented algebra'. There is probably nothing in the previous sentence that is true (except the 'usually'). It turns out that the...

One of the most important techniques provided by modern logic is the use of models to show the consistency of theories. The technique burst onto the scene in the late 19th century, and had its most important early instance in demonstrating the...

The asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP) is a model of particles hopping on a one-dimensional lattice. While it was initially introduced by Macdonald-Gibbs-Pipkin to provide a model for translation in protein synthesis, the stationary distribution of...