Math Dept 2015-2016 Newsletter 13

   Monday, 8 February 2016

 

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Past newsletters can now be reached via the department website.

[Click on ÒRead the NewsletterÓ in the bottom].

 

Newsletter is sent out when there is something new.

Please send entries by the end of the workweek  --Ed

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MEETINGS AND SEMINARS IN THE DEPARTMENT 

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Mondays

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Combinatorics Seminar

The Combinatorics Seminar will meet on Mondays at 2:10 in Chemistry G-06. 

Coordinator: Lou Shapiro

 

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Geometry & Topology Seminar 

TIME  : 3:10PM-4:00PM,

PLACE; MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM: 0213.

 

Roberto De Leo will discuss

FREE IMMERSIONS Of SURFACES INTO THE EUCLIDEAN  SPACE OF MINIMAL DIMENSIONS.

In the first talk he will outline the problems and begin with a brief review of some JET SPACES AND JET BUNDLES.

 

Coordinator:  Stanley M. Einstein-Matthews

 

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Wednesdays 

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Evolution Equations & Dynamical Systems seminar

2:10-3:00, in the Lounge Room of the Math Dept.

The seminar will cover all areas and subareas of evolution equations and dynamical systems as well as their applications.

 

Organizer: Toka Diagana

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Algebra-Number Theory Seminar

2.10 to 3 pm, room 201

Dani Szpruch will talk about Tate and Tate type gamma factors and their role in representation theory.

 

After introducing the SL(2,F) example he is going to describe his research on non-algebraic covering of  SL(2,F). He will show how meromorphic functions that resemble Tate gamma factor enter the picture.

Co-coordinators: Sankar Sitaraman and Dani Szpruch

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Graduate Student Seminar

3.10 to 4pm Annex bldg. Graduate student office

 

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Fridays

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Topological Semigroups and Ramsey Theory Seminar

  The Seminar on Topological Semigroups and Ramsey Theory will meet Fridays from 2:10--3:00

 in Annex III, room 233.  (Note the change of Day).

Neil Hindman will give an introduction to partial semigroups,

and then Kendra Pleasant will present her new results on Central Sets in partial semigroups.

 Coordinator: Neil Hindman

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mathematics Department Colloquium

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Friday, Feb 12

4.10 to 5 pm, ASB-B 213

 

John Benedetto,  UMD.

 

Title: "Frame theory from signal processing and back again -- a sampling"

 

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 Fluid dynamics seminar

 

 Seminar usually takes place after colloquium, and at 4.30 if there is no colloquium.

Abstract:  (Neil Hindman)

The "Fluid" refers to soda and beer. 

The "Dynamics" refers to the topics of conversation, which is as likely as anything

 to deal with RGIII and the Washington Football Club. 

Pizza, including a vegetarian option, and wings are provided.

 

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TALKS AND WORKSHOPS OUTSIDE DEPARTMENT 

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The following are in previous weeksÕ newsletters:

 

IMA Math-to-Industry Grad student Boot Camp, June 20 to July 29, 2016

 

Howard University Research Week, April 11-15, 2016

 

Georgetown Undergraduate Research Conference, April 14 to 15, 2016.

 

2016 Spring Opportunities Workshop for Women in Math Sciences

 

THE SIXTH MASAMU ADVANCED STUDY INSTITUTE (MASI) AND WORKSHOPS IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, 2016

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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1.  (via Aziz Yakubu)

 

NSF issued the attached press release on our winning NSF Expedition proposal, a big team effort that includes Howard University (https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=137328&org=NSF&from=news).

 

AMMSI-Phillip Griffiths Prize: 2016 

 

The AMMSI-Phillip Griffiths Prize is to be awarded annually, starting in 2016, to an African mathematician, living in Africa, who has made outstanding contribution to mathematics, application of mathematics or promotion of mathematics, as evidenced by research and its impact. The award comprises a certificate with a citation on the winnerÕs scientific achievement as well as a cash prize of USD 6,000.  The Prize has been made possible through a grant to AMMSI by Professor Phillip Griffiths occasioned by his reception of the Chern Prize in 2014.

 

Nominations are welcomed from any part of the world. The letter forwarding the nomination should be accompanied by documents containing the following information:

 

Full name, email address and mailing address of the person nominated; Home web-page of the nominee (if any); The proposed citation (a Concise statement of not more than 250 words detailing the outstanding contribution); Justification for nomination ;

A brief Curriculum Vitae of the nominee including selected major publications;

Name, contact details and home web-page of the nominator (or nominators).

 

The nominations and accompanying documents should be sent by email only to:

 Chair, AMMSI Awards Committee, African Mathematics Millennium Science Initiative at the email address:  ammsi.africa@gmail.com

 

2) Aziz YakubuÕs article ÒUsing Mathematics at AIM to outwit mosquitoesÓ

will appear in volume 63, number 3 of the Notices of the AMS.

 

3) (From Talitha Washington) In the fall of 2016, we will host StatFest at Howard University. StatFest is a one day conference aimed at encouraging undergraduate students from historically under-represented groups to consider careers and graduate studies in the statistical sciences. The local organizing committee consists of Drs. Paul Bezandry, Monica Jackson, Crepin Mahop and Ahmed Mohamed and is led by Talitha Washington. StatFest is a program of the American Statistical Association (ASA, http://community.amstat.org/cmis/events/statfest).

 

 

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 SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES (from various sources)

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1. Opportunities at various federal agencies

 

 

a) The Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) has launched a new summer internship program for undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning more about advanced composites technologies to aid in the creation of low-cost and energy-efficient manufacturing.

 

Application deadline: March 15th, 2016.

Program dates: June 6th – August 12th, 2016 (10 weeks)

For more info on the program, visit the IACMI Internship website at www.orau.org/IACMI.

 

b) Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis Programs (NESLS) – Deadline for applications is February 28

 

c) Higher Education Research Experiences (HERE) - Application is always open; suggested deadline for best chance of selection is February 1 to March 1

 

(From the Oak Ridge National Lab: For full listing see http://www.orau.org/ornl )

 

d) Scientific Application and Database Developers, Laser Spectroscopists at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, N.C

Details and application at http://www.orau.org/epa

(Click on ÒApply NowÓ).

 

 

2) IC_2016 International Call for CFD-MS Research Line Leader and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Data Science

BCAM, the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics http://www.bcamath.org whose mission is to develop high quality interdisciplinary research in the frontiers of Applied Mathematics, has positions open.

Deadline for submission: 29th February 2016, 17:00 [UTC/GMT + 1 hour]. All applications must be submitted on-line at: http://www.bcamath.org/en/research/job

 

3) (From Louise Raphael) Website for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (REUÕs)

   https://sites.google.com/site/mathreuprograms/

 

The following are in past weeksÕ newsletters:

 

Undergrad Summer REU opportunities

     a) Univ. Of West Georgia

     The application deadline is February 15, 2016.

 

   b) 2016 Nebraska Summer Research Program. 

    Deadline March 1.

 

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INTERESTING ARTICLES AND WEBSITES

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1. (via Aziz Yakubu) President Obama Honors NationÕs Leading Scientists and Innovators

 

The White House announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation—our NationÕs highest honors for achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology. The new awardees will receive their medals at a White House ceremony early next year.

The National Medal of Science was created by statute in 1959 and is administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation. Awarded annually, the Medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. The President receives nominations from a committee of Presidential appointees based on their extraordinary knowledge in and contributions to chemistry, engineering, computing, mathematics, and the biological, behavioral/social, and physical sciences.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was created by statute in 1980 and is administered for the White House by the U.S. Department of CommerceÕs Patent and Trademark Office. The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to AmericaÕs competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen the NationÕs technological workforce. A distinguished independent committee representing the private and public sectors submits recommendations to the President.

The new recipients with a connection to Howard University are listed below. 

National Medal of Science

* Shirley Jackson - second African American to win the national medal of science in physics and with James Sylvester the second MIT alumni 

Dr. Simon Levin**, Princeton University, NJ

** Simon Levin, Professor at Princeton University, was the PhD advisor of two our Howard University Math Majors, Nandi Leslie (now Dr. Nandi Leslie) and Ashley Crump.