Lauren K. Williams

Lauren K. Williams is the Dwight Parker Robinson Professor of Mathematics at Harvard University and the Sally Starling Seaver Professor at the Radcliffe Institute. Her research focuses on algebraic combinatorics, cluster algebras, and mathematical physics, with notable contributions to the study of the positive Grassmannian, amplituhedron geometry, and integrable systems. She holds affiliations with Harvard’s Department of Mathematics and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

Her work bridges combinatorics, algebraic geometry, and physics, particularly in understanding geometric structures like the amplituhedron, which encode scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory. Key areas include cluster algebras, Schubert varieties, and applications of combinatorial methods to stochastic processes such as the asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP).

Recent activities include organizing conferences on combinatorics, mathematical physics, and the legacy of mathematicians like Richard P. Stanley. Her research often explores connections between discrete structures and continuous systems, with a focus on positivity and geometric positivity principles.

Awards and grants are not explicitly listed in the provided texts, but her contributions have been recognized through invitations to major international conferences and leadership in the field. She actively mentors students and postdocs in combinatorics and algebraic geometry.