معرفی
Dr. Margaret Symington serves as Professor of Mathematics within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Mercer University, teaching courses ranging from introductory finite mathematics and calculus to advanced topics in abstract algebra, differential geometry, and symplectic topology.
Her academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Mathematics, Stanford University
- M.S. in Mathematics, Stanford University
- Sc.M. in Applied Mathematics, Brown University
- Sc.M. in Engineering, Brown University
- B.A. in Mathematics, Brown University
- B.A. in Engineering, Brown University
Specializing in symplectic topology of four-dimensional manifolds, her research bridges symplectic geometry, toric structures, and integrable systems through visual and diagrammatic methods. She explores how two-dimensional representations can model complex four-dimensional spaces, with notable interdisciplinary work applying geometric principles to dermatological surgery problems. Her approach emphasizes visualization as a core research tool across both pure and applied mathematics.
Publication trends reveal sustained contributions to symplectic manifold theory since the 1990s, particularly through foundational techniques like symplectic rational blowdowns and the symplectic sum operation. Recent work focuses on semi-toric systems with international collaborators, while her dermatology-related publications demonstrate practical applications of geometric modeling in medical contexts.
Dr. Symington actively mentors undergraduate researchers through honors projects and directed studies, guiding investigations into non-Euclidean geometry, triangle centers, symplectic boundaries, and geometric modeling for archaeological reconstruction. Current scholarly activities include co-authoring an undergraduate textbook on contact and symplectic geometry with Joan Licata and leading a multinational collaboration on semi-toric systems with researchers from Belgium, Germany, and Brazil.
