Victor Ginzburg is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on geometric representation theory and noncommutative geometry, with contributions to areas such as Hecke algebras, quantum groups, and mirror symmetry. He currently advises seven graduate students, though their specific projects vary widely. His work intersects with algebraic geometry, string theory, and mathematical physics. Key research themes include the application of algebraic geometry to representation theory, including studies on D-modules, quiver varieties, and symplectic reflection algebras. He has authored influential papers such as Non-commutative Symplectic Geometry (2001) and Symplectic reflection algebras (2002). His interests also extend to Calabi-Yau categories and operads, reflecting a deep engagement with modern geometric and algebraic structures.
Prof. Harry Hyungryul Baik is a Tenured Associate Professor at KAIST's Department of Mathematical Sciences since 2017. He holds a PhD from Cornell University (2014) and a B.S. from KAIST (2009), advised by William Thurston, John Hubbard, and Dylan Thurston. His research focuses on geometric topology, geometric group theory, and low-dimensional topology, with notable contributions to mapping class groups, Kleinian groups, and Teichmüller theory. Education: PhD in Mathematics (Cornell, 2014), B.S. in Mathematics (KAIST, 2009). Key research areas include asymptotic translation lengths, laminar groups, and circular orders of groups. He co-leads the KAIST-KIAS joint research group 2K-GATE as Director, emphasizing collaboration between topologists. Research highlights: Characterization of Fuchsian groups via laminations, unsmoothability of mapping class group actions on 1-manifolds, and exponential torsion growth in random 3-manifolds. His work bridges topology with dynamical systems and geometric group theory, often involving collaborations with institutions like KIAS and MPIM. Awards include the Sangsan Prize (2018), Young-KAST membership (2020–2023), and multiple grants from Samsung and POSCO. He advises 7 PhD students and has mentored 15+ alumni, many of whom hold postdoc positions globally. His lab actively hosts conferences like the KAIST Geometric Topology Fair. Labs/Teams: Director of 2K-GATE (KAIST-KIAS), core member of the KAIST Topology Research Group, collaborator with international networks including the Harvard-MIT-Princeton topology axis.
Mona Merling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2014) under Peter May. Prior to Penn, she was a J.J. Sylvester Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on algebraic K-theory, its applications to number theory and manifold theory, and equivariant stable homotopy theory. She has held research positions at institutions like the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics. Merling teaches advanced courses in algebraic topology, homotopy theory, and calculus, including innovative programs like the Penn Directed Reading Program and collaborations with the Prison Teaching Initiative to provide education in incarcerated settings. She organizes conferences and workshops, such as the Algebraic Topology Bridge Summer Workshop, fostering accessibility in topology education. Her research explores cutting-edge topics like scissors congruence K-theory, equivariant infinite loop space theory, and parametrized cobordism categories. Recent work includes collaborations on derived scissors congruence and multiplicative equivariant K-theory, with applications to geometric and algebraic structures. Her grants include funding for social justice initiatives in education.
Megan Kerr serves as the Katharine and Claudine Malone '63 Professor of Mathematics at Wellesley College, where she teaches across the mathematics curriculum from calculus to advanced topics in geometry. Her academic home is within the Mathematics & Statistics Department at this prestigious women's liberal arts college. Her educational journey began as an undergraduate at Wellesley College, where she later returned as faculty, completing a full circle in her academic career. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of Wolfgang Ziller, with research focused on Homogeneous Einstein Metrics. Professor Kerr's research centers on global differential geometry, particularly exploring the interplay between curvature constraints and large symmetry groups. She specializes in homogeneous and low-cohomogeneity spaces, investigating fundamental questions about the existence of geometric structures, their rarity or commonality, and potential obstructions. Her work bridges the analytic concept of curvature with the algebraic framework of Lie groups, and she has recently expanded into geometric analysis where topology plays a significant role. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on homogeneous Einstein metrics across three decades, with particular attention to curvature properties, symmetry constraints, and classification problems in both positive and negative curvature settings. Her research has evolved from foundational work on symmetric spaces to more complex non-symmetric examples and specialized curvature conditions, demonstrating both depth and breadth in differential geometry. Katharine and Claudine Malone '63 Professor of Mathematics Radcliffe Institute Fellowship As an alumna of Wellesley College, Professor Kerr maintains a strong commitment to encouraging women in mathematics. She teaches a diverse range of courses including calculus, linear algebra, combinatorics, real analysis, non-Euclidean geometry, differential geometry, topology, knot theory, and matrix groups as an introduction to Lie groups. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes developing mathematical understanding and confidence that benefits students regardless of their major. Her research has taken her to international destinations including Australia, Germany, and Mexico, reflecting the global nature of her scholarly collaborations.
Dr. Angela Siegel is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, Academic Outreach in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. She is actively involved in both academic leadership and research. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics (Combinatorial Game Theory), Dalhousie University, 2011 M.Sc. in Mathematics, Dalhousie University, 2005 B.Sc. in Mathematics & Marine Geophysics, 1997 Her research focuses on combinatorial game theory, graph theory, discrete mathematics, and number theory, with a strong emphasis on computer science education and inclusive teaching . She investigates the challenges students face when transitioning into computer science programs, aiming to improve pedagogical approaches and support systems. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics and practical educational innovation. The recent publications highlight a dual focus: theoretical contributions to combinatorial games (e.g., partizan games, placement games, geography variants) and applied research in computing education, particularly student transition and inclusive practices. Her interdisciplinary work spans mathematics, computer science, and educational theory. Scientific Awards: Dr. Siegel has supervised and collaborated with students and researchers on topics including student transition into higher education computing, LEGO-based pedagogy, and workplace readiness. While no specific grants are listed, her repeated presentations and publications suggest active research funding and scholarly engagement. She has contributed to major conference proceedings and book volumes such as Games of No Chance . She is associated with research teams focused on combinatorial games and computer science education innovation, often collaborating with scholars like Richard Nowakowski, Neil McKay, and Mark Zarb. Her work in inclusive teaching and student support reflects a commitment to building accessible and equitable learning environments in computing.
Paul Larson is a Professor of Mathematics at Miami University. His research focuses on set theory, topology, and model theory, with particular expertise in forcing axioms, descriptive set theory, and infinitary logic. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley. His work bridges foundational mathematical logic with applications in topology and combinatorics. Key contributions include studies on canonical models under fragments of the Axiom of Choice, polar forcings, and cardinal characteristics. Larson has collaborated extensively with leading researchers such as Saharon Shelah and Jindřich Zapletal. His publications span prestigious journals like the Annals of Pure and Applied Logic and Transactions of the American Mathematical Society. Beyond research, he contributes to the academic community through editorial work and expository writings on historical developments in determinacy theory. Education: Ph.D., Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley Research interests emphasize foundational questions in set theory with applications to topology and model theory. His recent work explores advanced forcing techniques, square principles in Pmax extensions, and combinatorial properties of cardinal invariants. Publications reflect interdisciplinary engagement, including crystal structure prediction in high-pressure chemistry and operator theory in functional analysis. Despite an extensive publication record, no specific scientific awards are documented here. His advising and grant activities remain unspecified in the provided texts. Collaborations span international institutions, reflecting his role as a central figure in contemporary set theory research.
Rohil Prasad is a Miller Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, appointed in 2023, and will join Princeton University as an Assistant Professor in 2025. His research lies at the intersection of geometry, topology, and dynamical systems, with a particular focus on conservative dynamics, pseudoholomorphic curves, and Floer theory. Education: PhD in Mathematics, Princeton University (2018–2023), advised by Helmut Hofer Research Interests: Prasad’s work spans several deep areas of modern mathematics, including: Conservative Dynamics: Studying systems that preserve volume or symplectic structures. Symplectic Geometry: Exploring geometric structures preserved under Hamiltonian flows. Low-Dimensional Topology: Investigating the topology of 3- and 4-dimensional manifolds. Floer Theory: Using pseudoholomorphic curves to study periodic orbits and invariants. His research has led to significant advances in understanding periodic orbits, invariant measures, and the structure of area-preserving maps. Awards and Honors: 2024 Brin Dynamical Systems Prize for Young Mathematicians Contact: rrprasad@berkeley.edu | Office: 968 Evans Hall
Dr. Primoz Skraba is a Professor in Applied and Computational Topology at the School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London. As Deputy Head of the Centre for Probability, Statistics and Data Science, he bridges theoretical topology with practical applications in data analysis, machine learning, and optimization. Education : PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (2009) Prior Roles : Positions at INRIA, France; Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia; University of Primorska; University of Nova Gorica His research focuses on applying topological methods to analyze complex data. Key areas include: Stability of persistence diagrams for quantitative control in finite sampling Variants of persistence (zig-zag, robustness, multiparameter) Algorithmic Complexity in computational topology Stochastic Topology for random geometric models (Poisson, Boolean) Recent publications emphasize persistent homology in random geometric complexes, universality theorems, and integrating topological methods into machine learning. He received grants from the Leverhulme Trust, EPSRC, and Alan Turing Institute for projects on topological universality and AI foundations. His advisee Gabryel Mason-Williams explores wireless sensor network applications of homology.
Brett Kolesnik is a Research Fellow in the Department of Statistics at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on probability theory, random structures, bootstrap percolation, and interactions with combinatorics. He has held postdoctoral fellowships at UC Berkeley, San Diego, and the University of Oxford, and was a Senior Demy at Magdalen College. His work includes organizing workshops on bootstrap percolation and collaborating with leading researchers in probability and combinatorics. Education: PhD in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia (advised by Omer Angel). Notable awards include the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Florence Nightingale Bicentennial Fellowship in Statistics. Research interests span bootstrap percolation models, random graph dynamics, and stochastic processes. Recent work includes studies on Brownian map geometry, tournament score sequences, and Coxeter group structures. Selected articles explore topics such as critical beta-splitting processes, Catalan percolation, and random walks on algebraic structures. His publications appear in top journals like Electronic Journal of Probability and Annals of Applied Probability . Awards include the Florence Nightingale Fellowship and NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Professional involvement includes organizing the 2024 BIRS workshop on Bootstrap Percolation and contributing to interdisciplinary collaborations in probability and combinatorics.
Ben Fisch is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Yale University's School of Engineering & Applied Science. He is also the co-founder of Espresso Systems, a company focused on blockchain infrastructure. His research focuses on privacy and verifiability in decentralized systems like Bitcoin and Ethereum, with applications in digital finance and healthcare. Dr. Fisch received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his Ph.D. at Stanford University, where he worked with Dan Boneh in the applied cryptography research group. His educational background provided the foundation for his work at the intersection of cryptography, distributed systems, and economics. His research centers on leveraging cryptographic tools such as succinct non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs), private information retrieval, and homomorphic encryption to address challenges in verifiable computation, verifiable storage, and verifiable fairness. He has made significant contributions to verifiable delay functions (VDFs) and proofs of replication, which have been adopted by major blockchain projects including Ethereum 2.0, Chia, and Filecoin. His work on Filecoin's Proofs of Replication has helped the network reach over 1.5 exabytes of storage capacity. His publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated cryptographic protocols for blockchain applications, with recent work focusing on data availability for Bitcoin rollups, efficient folding schemes for pairing-based arguments, and privacy pools with proof-carrying disclosures. His research bridges theoretical cryptography with practical implementations that have real-world impact in decentralized systems. His notable recognition includes: Best Paper Finalist at ACM CCS 2017 for 'Iron: Functional Encryption using Intel SGX' Dr. Fisch's research has led to significant technology transfer, most notably with his work on Verifiable Delay Functions (VDFs) sparking a multimillion dollar industry initiative through the VDF Alliance. His research on Proofs of Replication forms the basis of Filecoin's incentive layer and consensus protocol. His newer SNARK system Basefold is being used by several commercial products. He maintains active collaborations across academia and industry, with publications spanning top conferences in cryptography and security. As co-founder of Espresso Systems, Dr. Fisch leads a team developing next-generation blockchain infrastructure, particularly focusing on sequencing layers for rollups. His work bridges academic research with practical implementation, ensuring that theoretical advances in cryptography find real-world applications in decentralized systems.
Monika Henzinger is Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), heading the research group of Theory and Applications of Algorithms. She also serves as Vice President for Technology Transfer at ISTA since 2024. Previously, she held professorships at the University of Vienna (2009-2023) and EPFL, Switzerland (2005-2009), was Director of Research at Google (1999-2005), and served as Assistant Professor at Cornell University. Professor Henzinger's research centers on efficient algorithms and data structures with three main thrusts. First, she investigates dynamic settings where program inputs are repeatedly updated, seeking solutions faster than restarting computations. Second, she develops privacy-preserving algorithms that add minimal noise to protect input data while maintaining efficiency. Third, she translates theoretically optimal algorithms into practical implementations for dynamically changing inputs. Her work consistently addresses resource conservation in data processing, particularly computing time and memory space, while exploring the theoretical limits of possible savings. Henzinger's recent publications (2024-2025) reveal strong trends in dynamic algorithms, differential privacy, and graph theory. Her research consistently bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications, focusing on algorithms that adapt to changing inputs while preserving computational efficiency and data privacy. She has made significant contributions to problems like dynamic matching, minimum cut computation, and privacy-preserving data analysis across various domains. Professor Henzinger has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: Wittgenstein Award (2021) Two ERC Advanced Grants (2014, 2021) Carus Medal of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2019) SIGIR Test of Time Award Fellow of the Association of Computing Machinery (2016) Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2017) CAREER Development Award of the National Science Foundation Best paper Award at the Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (2024) Professor Henzinger currently advises PhD students Bardiya Aryanfard, Antoine El-Hayek, and Roodabeh Safavi Hemami, along with postdocs Anamay Chaturvedi and Niklas Hahn. Her research is supported by multiple significant grants including an ERC Advanced Grant for 'Design and Evaluation of Modern, Fully Dynamic Data Structures,' the FWF Wittgenstein Prize, and the WEAVE Project on 'Static and dynamic hierarchical graph decompositions.' She also serves as Principal Investigator for the FWF project 'Fast algorithms for a reactive network layer,' providing substantial funding for her innovative work in algorithms and data structures. Professor Henzinger leads the Theory and Applications of Algorithms research group at ISTA, which focuses on developing practical algorithms for dynamic environments. Her team investigates resource conservation in data processing, specializing in dynamic algorithms that efficiently handle changing inputs, privacy-preserving algorithms that minimize noise while protecting data, and translating theoretical algorithms into practical implementations. The group maintains a strong presence in theoretical computer science through regular publications in top conferences and journals, and collaborates extensively with institutions worldwide to advance algorithmic research.
David Nadler is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, appointed in 2012. His research centers on geometric representation theory and symplectic geometry, with significant contributions to the Langlands program, microlocal sheaf theory, and symplectic topology. He maintains an active research group and teaches courses ranging from undergraduate linear algebra to graduate algebraic topology and geometry. Nadler's research explores the interface of algebraic geometry, topology, and representation theory. His work in geometric representation theory focuses on Langlands duality, Springer theory, and Betti geometric Langlands. In symplectic geometry, he investigates microlocal sheaves, Fukaya categories, and Weinstein structures. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on categorical methods in geometric Langlands correspondence and symplectic arborealization. His publications consistently emphasize categorical and geometric approaches to representation theory. Recent works cluster in three areas: (1) extensions of the geometric Langlands program to Betti cohomology settings, (2) microlocal analysis of sheaves on symplectic manifolds, and (3) combinatorial models in symplectic topology. This reflects sustained development of 'Betti geometric Langlands' as a distinct research program bridging topology and automorphic forms. Nadler has advised over a dozen PhD students since 2012, with dissertations spanning geometric representation theory, symplectic geometry, and algebraic topology. Student projects frequently investigate categorical aspects of geometric Langlands, microlocal sheaves, and combinatorial models in symplectic topology.
Ciprian Manolescu is a Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University, where he joined after serving as a professor at UCLA since 2008. He holds both his undergraduate degree and doctorate from Harvard University, advised by Peter Kronheimer. His research focuses on gauge theory, low-dimensional topology, and symplectic geometry, with notable contributions to Heegaard Floer theory, Khovanov homology, and the resolution of the Triangulation Conjecture. Manolescu’s academic accolades include the 2019 E.H. Moore Research Article Prize, the 2012 European Mathematical Society Prize, and a 2004 Clay Research Fellowship. He delivered an invited lecture at the 2018 International Congress of Mathematicians and became a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2017. His work bridges advanced algebraic structures with geometric problems, particularly in understanding manifold invariants and topological constraints. His teaching includes the Polya Problem Solving Seminar (Math 193) at Stanford, and he advises students competing in the Putnam Mathematics Competition. Research trends in his publications emphasize applications of Floer homology to knot theory, 4-manifold topology, and the interplay between algebraic topology and quantum field theories. Education: PhD and BA in Mathematics, Harvard University Key Research Themes: Floer homology frameworks, geometric topology, knot invariants, and manifold classification Grants & Collaborations: Involved in NSF-funded projects like the FRG: Collaborative Research: Floer Homotopy Theory (2016)
Assia Mahboubi is a tenured researcher ( directrice de recherche ) at INRIA in the Gallinette team, Nantes, France, and an endowed professor in the Algebra and Number Theory section of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her work bridges theoretical computer science and formal mathematics, with significant contributions to proof assistants and formal verification. Her research focuses on the foundations and formalization of mathematics in type theory, particularly on the automated verification of mathematical proofs. She explores the interplay between computer algebra and formal proofs, and is a key contributor to the Rocq prover (formerly Coq) and the Mathematical Components libraries. Her work often examines how familiar mathematical objects can be optimally represented for computer-aided proof checking. Recent publications show a strong trend toward categorical reasoning, diagram chasing, and continuity properties in constructive type theory, with increasing focus on practical applications of formal methods in computational mathematics. Her work demonstrates the maturation of formal verification techniques from theoretical foundations to practical tools for mathematical research. ERC Consolidator grant for the FRESCO (Fast and Reliable Symbolic Computation) project Mahboubi actively supervises doctoral students including Vojtěch Štěpančík, Tomás Vallejos Parada, and Alain Chavarri Villarello. She has received significant research funding through her ERC Consolidator grant for the FRESCO project, which aims to develop fast and reliable symbolic computation techniques. She is deeply involved in the international research community, serving on program committees for major conferences including POPL, CPP, and ICFP. She leads research in the Gallinette team at INRIA, which focuses on the intersection of proof assistants, programming languages, and formal mathematics. Her work has helped establish formal verification as a practical tool for mathematical research, moving beyond theoretical foundations to real applications in computational mathematics.
Kay Jin Lim serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of the MSc (Analytics) program at Nanyang Technological University's School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, where he contributes significantly to both academic leadership and mathematical research within the Division of Mathematical Sciences. His educational foundation includes a B.Sc. (2005), M.Sc. (2007), and Ph.D. (2009) from the National University of Singapore, followed by doctoral research at the University of Aberdeen under David John Benson's supervision. Lim's research centers on representation theory of finite dimensional algebras, with deep connections to algebraic combinatorics and algebraic geometry. His work explores modular representation theory of symmetric groups, Specht modules, and Lie modules, emphasizing combinatorial structures and geometric interpretations in positive characteristic settings. This specialized focus has established him as a contributor to advanced algebraic frameworks. Analysis of his publication trajectory (2013-2025) reveals consistent advancement in understanding module complexities, rank varieties, and symmetric group representations, with increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary connections between algebraic combinatorics and geometric methods. His collaborative approach with international researchers like Karin Erdmann and David Benson demonstrates engagement with cutting-edge developments in the field. Scientific awards: No awards, fellowships, or major prizes are documented in the available information. Lim maintains an active supervisory role with four doctoral students: Yu Jiang (graduated May 5, 2021), Jialin Wang (graduated March 31, 2024), and current candidates Kua Hao Yan Manzu and Chen Siyuan. His teaching portfolio spans foundational to advanced algebra courses including MH2220 Algebra I, MH3220 Algebra II, and specialized topics in Homological Algebra, reflecting his commitment to mathematical education at multiple levels. He operates within NTU's vibrant mathematical research ecosystem, maintaining significant collaborations with leading algebraists globally while directing the MSc (Analytics) program to integrate theoretical mathematics with practical analytical applications.
