Carolyn R. Abbott

Carolyn R. Abbott is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Brandeis University, where she holds the Landsman Career Development Chair in the Sciences. She is currently on sabbatical in Spring 2025. Her research is centered in geometric group theory, with a focus on group actions on metric spaces, particularly hyperbolic and hierarchically hyperbolic structures.

• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison (2017), advised by Tullia Dymarz
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University (2019–2021)
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley (2018–2019)
• Morrey Visiting Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley (2017–2018)

Her research interests include geometric group theory, acylindrically hyperbolic groups, hierarchically hyperbolic groups, mapping class groups, and group actions on hyperbolic spaces. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of acylindrical actions, hyperbolic structures on groups, and the geometry of infinite-type surfaces. She co-organizes the Brandeis Topology Seminar and serves as the Undergraduate Advising Head II.

The most recent publications reflect a sustained focus on the interplay between large-scale geometry and algebraic structure in groups. Her work frequently explores classification of group actions, invariants under quasi-isometry, and structural properties of hierarchically hyperbolic and acylindrically hyperbolic groups. Several recent papers investigate the dynamics of big mapping class groups and the geometry of 3-manifold groups.

• Landsman Career Development Chair in the Sciences
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow (twice)
• Morrey Visiting Assistant Professor

She advises multiple graduate students and has taught a wide range of courses, from calculus to advanced topology. She has previously taught at Columbia University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her advising includes both current and graduated students, and she is actively involved in mentoring and academic leadership. She is a co-organizer of the Brandeis Topology Seminar, contributing to a vibrant research community.

Dr. Abbott maintains an active research program with recent publications in top journals such as Algebraic & Geometric Topology, Mathematische Zeitschrift, and Transactions of the AMS. Her collaborative work spans multiple institutions and reflects deep engagement with the geometric group theory community.