Patricia Cahn

Patricia Cahn is Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Codirector of the Postbaccalaureate Program at Smith College. Her research focuses on geometric and low-dimensional topology, including trisections of 4-manifolds, branched coverings of 3- and 4-manifolds, and contact topology. Supported by an NSF CAREER grant.

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.A. in Mathematics, Dartmouth College
• A.B. in Mathematics, Smith College

Research explores:

• Algebraic invariants for topological intersections
• Knot theory under geometric constraints
• Branched coverings and dihedral invariants
• Computational methods in topology

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on knot invariants and manifolds, with recent work on trisected branched covers (2023) and dihedral linking invariants (2021). Computational projects include algorithms for topological invariants.

Grants: Currently funded by NSF CAREER award for research on branched covers in dimensions three and four.

Teaching: Courses include Multivariable Calculus (MTH 212) and Topology (MTH 370) for 2024-2025.

Laboratory: Leads computational topology projects with code repositories available on GitHub.