Joe Waldron

Joe Waldron is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Michigan State University (MSU), located in C335 Wells Hall. His research focuses on algebraic geometry, particularly the birational classification of algebraic varieties in positive and mixed characteristic, with connections to commutative algebra and arithmetic geometry. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge under Caucher Birkar, followed by postdoctoral positions at Princeton University and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). His work is supported by NSF Grant #2401279 and a Simons Foundation Gift #850684.

Waldron is actively involved in academic outreach, co-organizing the First-Generation/Low-Income (FGLI) mentorship program in MSU's mathematics department. This initiative connects FGLI students with faculty and graduate student mentors to support their academic and career goals. He also contributes to the Michigan algebraic geometry symposium and the MSU algebra seminar.

His research interests include advanced topics such as Mori fibre spaces, test ideals in mixed characteristic, and the log minimal model program (LMMP) for threefolds. He has published extensively on geometrically non-reduced varieties, singularities in positive characteristics, and purely inseparable Galois theory.

Waldron’s grants fund explorations into foundational algebraic geometry problems, emphasizing cross-disciplinary connections with commutative algebra. His involvement in departmental initiatives reflects his commitment to fostering inclusive academic environments and mentoring underserved student populations.