Math Dept 2022-2023 Newsletter 1
Monday, 12 November 2022
Past newsletters can now be reached via the department website.
[Click on “About” and then “News and Events”].
Newsletter is sent out when there is something new.
Please send entries by the end of the workweek–Ed.
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We come back to start the academic year on a somber note, with the passing of our beloved colleague Prof. Abdul-Aziz Yakubu. The department will miss him. More below – Ed.
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MEETINGS AND SEMINARS IN THE DEPARTMENT
TUESDAYS
Clifford Algebra Seminar
Meeting at 3pm on Tuesdays.
Contact coordinators for zoom link
Coordinators Dennis Davenport and Tim Myers
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Combinatorics Seminar
TBA
Contact coordinator Lou Shapiro for zoom link
WEDNESDAYS
Applied Math Reading Seminar
TBA
Students will get to practice studying papers and working on research problems.
Please write the coordinator for original handouts or for the recording link.
Contact coordinator for zoom link as well.
Coordinator: Katie Gurski, Yeona Kang
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Math team/Math Club meetings
Organizer: Jill McGowan
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THURSDAYS
Seminar on Topological Semigroups
The seminar will include applications to Ramsey theory.
11 am on zoom on Thursdays.
First speaker will be Neil Hindman.
Contact coordinator for zoom invite.
Coordinator Dennis Davenport
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FRIDAYS
Mathematics Department Colloquium
Fridays, 4.10 to 5pm.
Colloquia will resume soon.
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS OUTSIDE DEPARTMENT
NAM Undergraduate MATHFest XXXII
This year at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD from Sep 23-25. The conference includes student talks, poster presentations, graduate fair, problem time and the J. Ernest Wilkins lecture.
Registration and more information.
2. (Thanks to Louise Raphael) MAA Distinguished lecture series
Our alumna and current Chair of the Spelman math department, Naiomi Cameron, will be among the speakers. She will be speaking on October 6 at 7pm. More information.
3. (Thanks to Dennis Davenport) BUGCAT conference
This year the annual Binghamton University Graduate Combinatorics, Algebra and Topology (BUGCAT) conference will be in person. Deadline for applying for funding is Oct 7 and for registration and submitting talks is Oct 18. More Information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The passing of our beloved friend and colleague Prof. Abdul-Aziz Yakubu
Prof. Yakubu passed away on August 14, 2022 and the funeral services were on Monday August 15.
The department will hold a memorial service on Saturday September 24. Details TBA.
The department mourns the passing of a beloved colleague and friend. The editor of this newletter remembers with gratitude his conversations with him and the support provided by Prof. Yakubu during the time he was Chairman.
Originally from Ghana, Prof. Yakubu received his doctorate from North Carolina State University and served more than 20 years in our dept, including 10 years as the Chair. He published widely and frequently, mentored many students, and organized the math biology conferences at Howard. He was also instrumental in creating collaborations with other reputed universities. Readers of this newsletter would recall not only his many accomplishments recorded here but the frequent contributions he made to the newsletter itself.
2. Congratulations to Daniel Williams
Congratulations to Daniel Williams on his retirement after 37 years of research in PDE and Numerical Analysis, and service to the department and the Honors Program of which he was the Director. We wish him much success in his future endeavors and look forward to his continued contributions to the University.
3. NSF award for Mohammad Mahmood
Mohammad Mahmood has received an NSF award on Exploring Frontiers in Novel Material Synthesis at High Pressures. The award amount is about $500,000 for 3 years. It provides funding for a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student and two undrgraduates.
4. Thesis by co-advisee of Katie Gurski
Along with K. A. Hoffman of UMBC, Katie Gurski is advising Sylvia Gutowska, a graduate student at UMBC. The first paper from her thesis has appeared and can be read here.
SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
(from various sources)
1. Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) HS-POWER program
The DHS HS-POWER program, administered by the S&T offers summer internships for students majoring in homeland security-related sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
2. EERE seeking fellows
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Agency is seeking talented and passionate Fellows that can support technical, programmatic, strategic, and policy efforts that will meet clean energy goals and drive innovation. Persons who have any degree in science and technology may apply.
INTERESTING ARTICLES AND WEBSITES
1. (Thanks to Louise Raphael) Scientists warn of climate tipping points being reached
Guardian article on the real possibility of five tipping points being reached, including the collapse of Greenland ice cap, melting of permafrost, and danger to northern forests and loss of mountain glaciers.