Harvey Reall is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) and a Fellow of Trinity College . His research focuses on General Relativity and Effective Field Theory , particularly in the context of black hole mechanics , higher-dimensional gravity , and cosmic censorship . He has held prestigious positions including a Royal Society University Research Fellowship from 2005 to 2013. Education: PhD from DAMTP, University of Cambridge. Previous Appointments: Lecturer at the University of Nottingham (2005-2007); Postdoctoral positions at the Kavli Institute (2003-2005), Queen Mary University of London (2000-2003), and University of California, Santa Barbara (2003-2005). Reall's work explores the uniqueness and stability of black holes , causality in gravitational theories , and effective field theory approaches to gravity . His recent publications address nonperturbative second law formulations , event horizon dynamics , and axisymmetry theorems in extended theories of gravity. He has supervised numerous researchers including Aidan McSharry (2025-) , Maxime Gadioux (2022-) , and Iain Davies (2020-24) , contributing to the training of the next generation of physicists. Scientific Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellow (2005-2013)
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
James B. Rawlings is the Mellichamp Process Control Chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and holds the rank of Professor. His research focuses on chemical process control, reaction engineering at the molecular level, and computational modeling with tools like Octave. He has held prominent roles, including the Paul A. Elfers Chair at UW Madison and the Steenbock Professor of Engineering. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1985), BS in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. Postdoctoral training at the Institute for System Dynamics and Process Control, University of Stuttgart (1985-1986). Research interests include nonlinear systems, model predictive control (MPC), moving horizon estimation (MHE), and stochastic reaction engineering. His work bridges theory and industrial applications, emphasizing robustness and practical implementation. Awards: Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering (2016), IFAC (2016), and IEEE (2012). Recipient of the Process Automation Hall of Fame (2016), Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor (2015), and numerous AIChE awards. Honorary doctorate from Technical University of Denmark (2011). Grants & Leadership: Led NSF-funded projects on MPC and control systems. Developed Octave, a widely used computational tool. Active in academic leadership and curriculum development, recognized with teaching awards including the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2013). Labs & Teams: Directs research groups focused on control theory, computational tools, and industrial process optimization. Collaborates with industry on MPC implementation and disturbance modeling.
Urs Lang is a Full Professor at the Department of Mathematics, ETH Zurich, where he has held a professorship since 2001. His academic journey began with mathematics studies at the University of Berne and the University of Freiburg i.Br., culminating in a doctoral degree focused on hyperbolic geometry and minimal surfaces. Education: University of Berne (undergraduate) University of Freiburg i.Br. (doctoral degree) Lang's research lies at the intersection of differential geometry , metric geometry , and geometric group theory . His work explores non-positive curvature spaces, geometric measure theory, and large-scale Lipschitz analysis. Recent publications examine combinatorial hyperbolicity, isoperimetric inequalities, and rank-rigidity phenomena. The publications overview reveals a consistent focus on geometric structures, including: Higher-rank hyperbolicity in singular spaces Convex geodesic bicombings Injective hulls in geometric group theory Nonlinear potential theory on hyperbolic metric spaces Lipschitz extension problems Curvature comparison theorems Lang actively contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles at journals like Geometry and Topology and Analysis and Geometry in Metric Spaces , as well as organizing major conferences including the 2025 Metric Analysis Trimester Program at Bonn's Hausdorff Institute.
Betsy Stovall is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and holds the Letters and Science Mary Herman Rubenstein Professor chair. She serves as the AMS Associate Secretary for the Central Section . Education : Not explicitly stated in provided text. Appointments : Regular faculty at UW–Madison since at least 2012 Organizer of graduate analysis seminars Research Interests : Stovall specializes in harmonic analysis , focusing on operators involving curvature, oscillatory integrals, and Fourier restriction phenomena. Her work intersects with partial differential equations (PDEs) through the study of dispersive equations and geometric analysis problems. Teaching : Complex Analysis (Math 623) - Fall 2021 Calculus III (Math 234) - Fall 2020 Graduate Analysis Seminar - Spring 2022 Organized UW Madison undergraduate summer school in Analysis (2018) Scientific Contributions : Sole or joint author of 15+ publications NSF RTG grant in Analysis and PDE Active in harmonic analysis seminars and educational initiatives Administrative Roles : AMS Associate Secretary Co-organizer of RTG/Student seminars Summer school director
Professor Laurentiu Paunescu is a faculty member in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney . His research focuses on Real and Complex Singularities , Stratifications , and Real and Complex Algebraic Geometry , with particular interest in geometric criteria for ignoring higher-order terms in analytic maps and blow-analytic equivalence. University: University of Sydney School: School of Mathematics and Statistics Academic Rank: Professor Email: laurentiu.paunescu@sydney.edu.au, laurent@maths.usyd.edu.au Address: F07 - Carslaw Building, The University of Sydney Paunescu's research aligns with the University of Sydney's Understanding the Universe and Fundamental Laws of Nature strengths. He investigates topological invariance under bi-Lipschitz homeomorphisms, Lipschitz stratification, and connections between real and complex Milnor fibers. His work often involves collaborations with researchers like S. Koike, A. Parusiński, and M. Tibar. Recent publications (2024–2019) emphasize Lipschitz geometry (e.g., directional bundles, stratification), cohomology of hypersurface singularities , and polynomial function finiteness . Notable collaborations include studies on vanishing cohomology , clustered polar curves , and CAD construction validity . Grants from DVC Research and ARC Discovery Projects support his work. He supervises research students in areas like O-minimal Geometry and contributes to Metric Spaces (Advanced) teaching. Paunescu co-edits workshops such as the Australian-Japanese Real and Complex Singularities Workshop , advancing international collaboration in singularity theory.
Yakov Shlapentokh-Rothman is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto St. George and the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His research focuses on the intersection of partial differential equations, general relativity, and geometric analysis, with particular emphasis on black hole physics and the Einstein field equations. Education: PhD: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015) BS with Honors: Stanford University (2010) Research Interests: Shlapentokh-Rothman's work explores fundamental problems in mathematical relativity, including black hole stability, singularity formation, wave propagation in curved spacetimes, and the asymptotic behavior of solutions to Einstein's equations. His research combines rigorous PDE analysis with deep geometric insights. Publications focus on: black hole dynamics, scattering theory in curved spacetimes, stability analysis of Kerr and Reissner-Nordström solutions, cosmic censorship conjectures, and self-similar solutions to Einstein's equations. Recent work examines the structure of naked singularities and decay properties of fields in black hole backgrounds. Awards and Recognition: Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in Mathematics Advising and Grants: Currently advising PhD student: Avyay Venkat Viswanath Research supported by NSERC Discovery Grants (RGPIN-2021-02562, DGECR-2021-00093)
David Damanik is the Robert L. Moody, Sr. Professor of Mathematics at Rice University, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in spectral theory, dynamical systems, and aperiodic order. His work bridges pure mathematics with mathematical physics, focusing on the spectral properties of operators arising in quantum mechanics and quasicrystal theory. Dr. Damanik received his academic training at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt, Germany, earning a Dipl.-Math. in 1995, Dipl.-Inform. in 1996, and Dr. phil. nat. in 1998. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in both mathematics and computer science, which informs his interdisciplinary research approach. His research interests center around spectral theory of Schrödinger operators, particularly those with ergodic, quasi-periodic, and aperiodic potentials. He has made significant contributions to understanding the spectral properties of operators associated with quasicrystals, substitution sequences, and other aperiodic structures. His work often connects spectral properties with dynamical systems concepts, particularly through the study of rotation numbers, Lyapunov exponents, and gap labeling theorems. Damanik's research has profound implications for understanding quantum transport in aperiodic media and the mathematical foundations of condensed matter physics. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a continued focus on ergodic Schrödinger operators, with two comprehensive monographs providing a systematic treatment of the field. His work spans both theoretical foundations and specific applications, addressing problems in one-dimensional systems, quasi-periodic potentials, and aperiodic tilings. The research demonstrates strong connections between spectral theory, dynamical systems, and mathematical physics, with particular emphasis on the interplay between spectral properties and the underlying dynamics of the potential. Annales Henri Poincaré Prize (2014) for the paper "Continuum Schrödinger operators associated with aperiodic subshifts" Professor Damanik has mentored numerous PhD students and maintains an extensive network of collaborators across the globe, as evidenced by his long list of coauthors. His research has been supported by various grants that enable him to organize workshops and conferences, fostering collaboration in his field. He has been instrumental in organizing major conferences such as the Spectral Theory and Mathematical Physics conference honoring Barry Simon's 80th birthday (scheduled for 2026) and multiple workshops on aperiodic order at prestigious institutions like Banff International Research Station and Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach. Through his teaching of specialized courses like "Mathematics of Aperiodic Order" and "Ergodic Theory and Topological Dynamics," Damanik has cultivated the next generation of researchers in his field. His leadership in organizing conferences and workshops has established him as a central figure in the international community studying spectral theory and aperiodic structures.
Rima Alaifari is currently an Assistant Professor for Applied Mathematics at ETH Zürich , where she works on applied analysis, inverse problems, and scientific machine learning. Her research emphasizes stability analysis and regularization of inverse problems, applied harmonic analysis, phase retrieval, and operator learning. She is an associated member of the ETH AI Center and will transition to a full professorship at RWTH Aachen University in 2025 as Chair of Analysis and its Applications. Education : PhD in Mathematics (2010–2014, Vrije Universiteit Brussel); MSc in Applied and Industrial Mathematics (2005–2010, Johannes Kepler University) Research Focus : Stability estimates for inverse problems, phase retrieval in wavelet/Gabor transforms, operator learning with neural networks, and deep learning robustness. Article Trends : Her recent work bridges harmonic analysis with machine learning, focusing on phase retrieval stability, adversarial perturbations in imaging, and mathematically grounded neural operator frameworks like ReNO and CNO. Advising : She has supervised PhD students like Tandri Gauksson and Matthias Wellershoff. Former postdoctoral researchers include Francesca Bartolucci (now at TU Delft) and Jesse Railo (Finnish Inverse Prize winner).
Paola Cristofori is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on Algebraic Topology, Differential Geometry, and Manifold Theory, with contributions to PL topology, 4-manifolds, and combinatorial structures like crystallization theory. She teaches courses in Geometry, Linear Algebra, and Algebraic Topology for undergraduate and graduate programs in Mathematics, Civil Engineering, and Strategic Sciences. Her work emphasizes topological invariants, combinatorial methods in manifold classification, and applications of colored graphs. Key areas include trisections of 4-manifolds, Kirby diagrams, and G-degree theory. She collaborates extensively on projects involving geometric topology and computational topology tools. Dr. Cristofori’s teaching spans foundational topics in linear algebra, Euclidean geometry, and advanced algebraic topology, emphasizing rigorous proofs and practical applications. Her research is published in top journals and includes over 40 articles, reflecting her deep engagement with low-dimensional topology and geometric structures.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Steven Bradlow is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on differential geometry, gauge theory, algebraic geometry, and topology, with particular emphasis on Higgs bundles, moduli spaces, and geometric structures. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1988) and has held additional campus roles as a Professor of Mathematics. Research Interests: Bradlow’s work explores advanced topics such as holomorphic vector bundles, stability conditions, and geometric invariant theory. His studies of Higgs bundles integrate techniques from algebraic geometry, differential geometry, and mathematical physics, addressing questions related to moduli spaces, spectral curves, and representation varieties. He investigates exotic components of surface group representations and their connections to Teichmüller theory, contributing to the broader understanding of geometric structures and their topological properties. Recent Work Trends: Recent publications highlight his focus on Cayley correspondences, higher rank Teichmüller spaces, and uniformization techniques for branched surfaces. His collaborative projects often bridge algebraic and differential geometry, with applications to gauge theories and geometric analysis. He has also contributed to editorial work honoring peers like Karen Uhlenbeck and Oscar García-Prada. Grants & Advising: While specific grant details are not listed, Bradlow has been involved in NSF-funded initiatives (e.g., EMSW21-MCTP, RNMS: Geometric Structures). His advising contributions are reflected in co-authored works with students/postdocs such as Brian Collier and Oscar García-Prada. He is associated with research networks exploring geometric representation theory and mathematical collaborations. Labs/Teams: Active within UIUC’s Department of Mathematics, Bradlow collaborates with researchers in geometry and topology. His work often intersects with interdisciplinary groups studying geometric structures, though specific lab affiliations are not detailed here.
Prof. Jürg Kramer is a Professor of Mathematics at Humboldt University of Berlin, affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Institute of Mathematics. His research focuses on Arakelov geometry, automorphic forms (particularly modular forms), and their intersections. Notable contributions include advancements in arithmetic intersection theory with logarithmic singularities and sup-norm bounds for modular forms. He is also deeply engaged in mathematics education, leading initiatives for teacher training and promoting mathematical talent through networks like the Berlin School Mathematics Network. Active in academic service, he served as EMS Education Committee Chair (2017–2022) and President of the German Mathematical Society (2013/14). His work bridges pure mathematics with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing public understanding through popular science publications. Research: Arakelov geometry, modular forms, L-functions, hyperbolic geometry methods Education: Teacher training programs, math talent promotion, textbook authorship Affiliations: Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), EMS, Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften Key educational contributions include Felix-Klein teacher training programs and co-authoring standards for mathematics teacher education. His publications span advanced mathematical research and accessible expositions on topics like Fermat’s Last Theorem and Riemann Hypothesis.
Professor Dmitri Panov is a Professor of Geometry at King's College London, part of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He holds a PhD from École Polytechnique (2005) and has held academic positions including Royal Society Research Fellow (2010–2012), Senior Research Fellow (2012–2015), and Reader (2015–2020) at King’s College. His research focuses on complex, symplectic, and hyperbolic geometry, with a particular emphasis on polyhedral Kahler structures and definite connections. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Moscow State University (1998) PhD from École Polytechnique, France (2005) Research Interests: Panov studies geometric structures such as polyhedral Kahler manifolds and definite connections. His work bridges algebraic, differential, and symplectic geometry, with applications to moduli spaces, spherical metrics, and geometric analysis. Grants & Projects: EPSRC Grant: Kaehler manifolds of constant curvature with conical singularities (2019–2023) Royal Society Grant: Polyhedral Kahler Geometry (2017–2018) Geometric structures on manifolds (2015–2018) Events: Panov has participated in events like the Mathematics Inaugural Lecture (2023) and PhD program introductions, emphasizing his role in academic leadership and outreach.
Tao Mei is a Professor of Mathematics at Baylor University, joining in August 2015. Prior to Baylor, he held faculty positions at Wayne State University (2010-2015) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2006-2010). He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Texas A&M University in 2006 under Gilles Pisier. Research Focus: Analysis and probability, particularly noncommutative analysis, free probability, harmonic analysis, and operator algebras. Grants: Supported by NSF awards DMS-2247123 and DMS-2400113. Mei's work bridges operator theory, functional analysis, and quantum probability. His recent publications emphasize Fourier multipliers, maximal inequalities, and noncommutative harmonic analysis. He has mentored PhD students including Chian Y. Chuah, Zhen C. Liu, and Sebastian Vargas Loaiza. He co-organizes international seminars such as the Virtual Noncommutative Analysis Weekly Seminar and leads the Brazos Analysis seminar, supported by NSF DMS-2400113. His invited lectures span institutions like UCSD, Ohio State University, and Ghent University, highlighting his contributions to quantum information theory and operator analysis.
Daniela De Silva is the Olin Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Barnard College, Columbia University. She holds a B.A. from the University of Naples Federico II and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research focuses on partial differential equations (PDEs), particularly free boundary problems and geometric analysis. She teaches advanced courses such as Calculus and Analysis at Barnard and organizes the Geometry and Analysis seminar at Columbia University. Her work explores regularity theory for free boundaries, phase transitions, and harmonic analysis. Notably, her contributions include studies on energy-minimizing free boundaries and monotonicity formulas. De Silva has also contributed to nonlinear Schrödinger equations and has held academic positions at institutions like Johns Hopkins University and MIT before joining Barnard in 2007. Her research interests span theoretical and applied aspects of PDEs, with a focus on geometric implications and singularities. While her work has been featured in prestigious journals like Comm. on Pure and Applied Math , Duke Math. J. , and Indiana Univ. Math. J. , she remains active in academic outreach, including discussions on topics like the mathematics of melting ice and the significance of π in popular media.
Francesco Fanelli is a Research Professor at the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) under Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation for Science. He is on leave from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and Institut Camille Jordan since September 2023. His work spans partial differential equations (PDEs), fluid dynamics, harmonic analysis, and asymptotic behavior of non-homogeneous fluids. He has made significant contributions to: Hydrodynamics of inviscid and compressible fluids Multi-scale analysis and singular perturbation problems Well-posedness theory for hyperbolic operators with low regularity coefficients Fourier analysis methods in PDEs (Littlewood-Paley theory, paradifferential calculus) His research intersects with geophysical fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and turbulence theory. His 15 most recent publications focus on: Ekman boundary layers and pumping effects Kolmogorov turbulence models Fast rotation asymptotics Low Mach number limits with stratification Singular integrals and Besov space applications Scientific recognition includes: PEDR teaching and research excellence fellowship (2017-2020, renewed 2021-2025) ERC Consolidator Grant finalist (2024) Vinci 2010 fellowship He organizes and participates in international conferences on fluid dynamics and PDEs. Collaborators include leading researchers from institutions in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Chile.
