Jan Spakula

Dr Jan Spakula is an Associate Professor in Pure Mathematics at the University of Southampton within the School of Mathematical Sciences. He joined the university in 2013 as a Lecturer and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022, maintaining active research and teaching responsibilities.

Education:

• PhD in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University (2008)
• Postdoctoral positions at the University of Münster and University of Vienna

Research Focus: Spakula specializes in the intersection of operator algebras and geometric structures, particularly examining C*-algebras through the lens of noncommutative geometry and coarse geometric properties of groups. His work establishes critical connections between analytic representations and geometric boundaries of non-positively curved spaces, often collaborating with Kevin Boucher on boundary representation frameworks.

Publication Trends: His 2013-2024 publications reveal persistent investigation into rigidity phenomena in Roe algebras, asymptotic expander constructions, and coarse median structures. This body of work consistently bridges geometric group theory with functional analysis, demonstrating how coarse geometric invariants manifest in operator algebraic settings through Property A and quasi-locality frameworks.

Research Funding:

• Boundary representations of non-positively curved groups (EPSRC)
• EU FP7 - Coarse Analysis project (European Union)

Academic Contributions: Dr Spakula teaches undergraduate modules including Linear Algebra II and Engineering Foundation Year Mathematics (GENG0001/GENG0002). He actively supervises research as a member of the Pure Mathematics Centre for Geometry, Topology, and Applications, currently accepting new PhD students for projects in geometric group theory and operator algebras.