Doug Ravenel

Douglas C. Ravenel is the Daniel Burton Fayerweather Professor of Mathematics at the University of Rochester's School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Mathematics. He earned his PhD from Brandeis University in 1972 and has since contributed extensively to algebraic topology, particularly in stable homotopy groups of spheres, chromatic homotopy theory, and the Kervaire invariant problem. His research spans foundational topics like spectral sequences, equivariant homotopy theory, and elliptic cohomology.

Education:

• PhD in Mathematics, Brandeis University, 1972

Research Interests: Ravenel focuses on algebraic topology with an emphasis on:

• Stable homotopy groups of spheres
• Chromatic homotopy theory
• Elliptic cohomology
• Equivariant stable homotopy theory
• Kervaire invariant problem
• Spectral sequences (e.g., Adams-Novikov, slice spectral sequence)

Publications: He authored seminal works like Complex Cobordism and Stable Homotopy Groups of Spheres (Academic Press, 1986) and co-edited conference proceedings such as Algebraic Topology: Seattle 1985 (Springer, 1987). Recent research includes collaborations on the Kervaire invariant problem and advances in chromatic homotopy theory.

Teaching: Currently teaches courses including MTH 162 (Calculus IIA), MTH 443 (Algebraic Topology), and graduate-level topics in algebraic topology.

Awards: No notable scientific awards listed in the provided text.

Labs/Teams: No specific labs or teams mentioned, though his work involves collaborations with leading researchers like Michael Hill and Michael Hopkins.