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Memoirs of the American Mathematical Society AMS
Journal Prestige (SJR): 2.917  Citation Impact (citeScore): 2 Number of Followers: 2  Subscription journalISSN (Print) 0065-9266 - ISSN (Online) 1947-6221 Published by AMS [11 journals] |
- 2024 Delbert Ray Fulkerson Prize Awarded
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Abstract: Three groups of mathematicians received the 2024 Delbert Ray Fulkerson Prize, which recognizes outstanding papers in discrete mathematics. The prizes are awarded jointly by the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and the Mathematical Optimization Society (MOS) and were presented on July 22 at the 25th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming, held in Montréal.Ben Cousins and Santosh Vempala received the prize for ‘’Gaussian Cooling and O*(n3) Algorithms for Volume and Gaussian Volume,” published in SIAM Journal on Computing in 2018.According to the citation, “Computing the volume of a convex body is an ancient challenge. Cousins and Vempala develop a fast algorithm that approximates the volume of a well-rounded convex body while querying membership of a cubic number of points, and also present the fastest algorithms for integrating and sampling from a Gaussian measure restricted to a convex body. The impact of the ideas goes far beyond the two core problems addressed.”Zilin Jiang, Jonathan Tidor, Yuan Yao, Shengtong Zhang, and Yufei Zhao received the prize for “Equiangular lines with a fixed angle,” published in Annals of Mathematics in 2021.“The authors solve a combinatorial geometry problem that has received considerable attention since the 1960s: Determine the maximum number of lines in d-dimensional space such that the angle between every pair is exactly θ,” the citation noted. “For fixed θ and large d, the authors provide a sharp bound. The proofs combine combinatorial ideas with tools from spectral graph theory in a clever, original and elegant way.”Nathan Keller and Noam Lifshitz received the prize for "The Junta Method for Hypergraphs and the Erdős-Chvátal Simplex Conjecture," published in Advances in Mathematics in 2021.“The authors give a new approach for solving Turán-type problems, which concern the maximum number of edges a hypergraph can have without containing certain expansions of a given forbidden substructure,” according to the citation. “The junta method approximates these hypergraphs by juntas, and the authors successfully apply it to the Erdős–Chvátal simplex conjecture, the Erdős–Sós forbidding one intersection problem, and the Frankl–Füredi special simplex problem.”About the prizeA pioneer in modern operations research, Delbert Ray Fulkerson (1924-1976) made fundamental contributions to network flow theory and combinatorial analysis. The AMS-MOS Fulkerson Prize was established in his honor after his death to encourage mathematical excellence in discrete mathematics, including graph theory, networks, mathematical programming, applied combinatorics, applications of discrete mathematics to computer science, and related subjects. The triennial prize currently is funded by an endowment administered by the Mathematical Optimization Society.Read about past recipients of the Fulkerson Prize.*****The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Urheim Named AAAS Judicial Branch Fellow
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Abstract:
Ellen UrheimCredit: Hannah ValdiviejasEllen Urheim has been named the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Judicial Branch Fellow for 2024-25.Urheim will spend the year at the Federal Judicial Center, working at the intersection of law and science as federal courts increasingly face litigation that requires the expertise of scientists and engineers. Previous Fellows have addressed policy issues such as the implications of artificial intelligence and the interplay of patent law and DNA.Currently, Urheim serves as the American Mathematical Society (AMS) Congressional Fellow, working in the office of Senator Bob Casey Jr. (PA)."I?m excited to bring both my mathematical knowledge and the skills I?ve developed during the AMS Congressional Fellowship to support the Federal Judicial Center?s work of educating federal judges and conducting research on the judicial branch," she said.Read more about the AAAS Judicial Branch Fellowship.
PubDate: Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Alon, Shamir Win 2024 Wolf Prize
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Abstract: The 2024 Wolf Prize in Mathematics has been awarded jointly to Noga Alon of Princeton University and Adi Shamir of the Weizmann Institute of Science, for "their pioneering contributions to mathematical cryptography, combinatorics, and the theory of computer science."
Noga AlonCredit: Nurit AlonAlon was recognized for “his fundamental contributions to combinatorics and theoretical computer science,” according to the prize announcement. “His seminal contributions include the development of ingenious techniques in combinatorics, graph theory, and theoretical computer science, and the solution of long-standing problems in these fields as well as in analytical number theory, combinatorial geometry, and information theory.” Alon is a professor of mathematics at Princeton University and a Baumritter Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science at Tel Aviv University.Shamir was recognized for "being a truly exceptional scientist and has been the leading force in transforming cryptography into a scientific discipline that is heavily based on mathematics," according to a press release. "His foundational discoveries combine mathematical ingenuity with a range of analytical tools. They had a huge impact on several mathematical areas, advancing both mathematics and society in an unparalleled manner." Shamir is a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the Weizmann Institute.
Adi ShamirCredit: Wolf FoundationThe 2024 Wolf Prize was presented to laureates in the fields of physics, mathematics, medicine, agriculture, and music. Awarded annually by the Wolf Foundation, the prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of $100,000. “The Wolf Prize acknowledges scientists and artists worldwide for their outstanding achievements in advancing science and the arts for the betterment of humanity,” according to a press release. Since the prize’s inception in 1978, 382 scientists and artists from around the world have been honored. The scientific categories of the prize are medicine, agriculture, mathematics, chemistry, and physics, while the art categories are painting and sculpture, music, and architecture. Prize recipients are selected by international jury committees of world-renowned professionals.Contact: AMS Communications.*****The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Mathematician Kirwan Testifies Before Congress
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Abstract: WASHINGTON – On June 20, mathematician William “Brit” Kirwan served as a witness before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).Convened by Committee Chair Sen. Bernie Sanders and Ranking Member Sen. Bill Cassidy, the hearing focused on training and retaining teachers and discussion of recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Kirwan – chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland and professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Maryland – is a nationally recognized authority on critical issues shaping the higher-education landscape.Sanders opened the hearing asking what it will take to provide quality public education for all young people in the United States. Both Sanders and Kirwan pointed to the fact that our teachers – who arguably are doing the most important job in the country – are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.Read Kirwan’s testimony and watch a video of the hearing.* * * * *The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Roots of Unity Scholars Tour AMS
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Abstract: In mid-June, 35 mathematicians toured the Rhode Island facilities of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) as part of the Roots of Unity workshop, held at the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) at Brown University.When the tour group passed the framed photo gallery of AMS officers, one graduate student pointed and exclaimed, “There’s Bianca!”“And Michelle!” a second student called out, indicating another framed photo.“Bianca” and “Michelle” are Bianca Viray (AMS vice president) and Michelle Manes (AMS associate secretary), co-organizers of Roots of Unity and members of the tour group, both out of earshot of this exchange.
The Roots of Unity tour group meets Penny Pina (center left), senior director, mathematical meetings.Credit: Kyle Hurley, AMS CommunicationsFirst convened in Minneapolis in 2022, Roots of Unity is a biennial weeklong workshop supported by the Mathematical Sciences Institutes Diversity Initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The workshop is designed to support women and nonbinary students of color who have completed one to three years of graduate school and who are considering research in algebra, combinatorics, geometry/topology, or number theory. These mathematicians are at a crucial career stage: the transition to independent learning and research.During their workshop week at ICERM, small mentor-led working groups analyzed recent research papers in one of the four subject areas and gave presentations, developing skills and confidence.“In short, the Roots of Unity workshop taught me how to read math papers,” said Judy Hsin-Hui Chiang, a rising second-year PhD student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities whose research interest is algebraic combinatorics. “While reading skills sound simple, for higher-level math papers/literature, I believe it requires several abilities such as mathematical communication, collaboration with one another, and confidence in oneself.”The workshop’s professional development sessions focused on practical tools for navigating a research career and building community.“Roots of Unity felt like math therapy to me,” said Cristina Sabando Alvarez, a fourth-year PhD candidate at Washington University also working in algebraic combinatorics. “It gave a full sense of community and belonging that I think is important as your career develops. We had a lot of sessions focused on the human side of doing math.”"I?m incredibly impressed with our mentors,” said Manes, deputy director, American Institute of Mathematics. “They each gave beautiful introductory talks about their research areas and have been able to quickly foster community amongst their working groups." The AMS tour was a local bonus, as ICERM and Brown University are a short bus ride from both the AMS headquarters in Providence, RI, and the printing and distribution facility in nearby Pawtucket."Part of the goal of the Roots of Unity workshop is to foster a sense of belonging as mathematical researchers,” explained Viray, University of Washington professor. “Professional organizations can seem distant to students, and it can be difficult for them to learn about all of the institutions and organizations that provide resources to the mathematical community.“We hope that the AMS tour gave the Roots of Unity participants access to some of this information and also empowered the students to feel that the AMS is for them."“The students were very excited to see the printing facility,” added co-organizer Christine Berkesch, associate professor at the University of Minnesota. “Ordering texts from the AMS will take on a new meaning for us all now that we have met the staff and seen the book binding process up close." “Seeing the passion and commitment of the workers there to sharing mathematical knowledge stuck out to me,” Sabando Alvarez said. “The fact that that small facility and a small group of workers are running the printing, quality check, and shipping was unbelievable.”“I enjoyed learning the personal stories of the people working at AMS, both at the printing facility and the headquarters. It is amazing to hear about their academic and work experience and how they have translated their skills to work for the AMS now,” Chiang said “It is also inspiring to talk to all the behind-the-scene staffs who make all the math meetings and research possible and accessible to us. “The name "Roots of Unity" has layered meanings to the co-organizers, who also include Priyam Patel (University of Utah) and Candice Price (Smith College).Berkesch explained: “In mathematics, a root of unity is a complex number x such that some positive integer power x^n = 1.“The inspiration for the name came from an analogy with underground mycorrhizal networks, fungi which connect different tree species through their root systems. These connections allow for transfer of nutrients, allow trees to communicate about dangers like pests and disease, and are believed to enhance plant fitness and forest stability,” she said.So it is for mathematics graduate students: A strong network can be critical for success, and more so for students from historically marginalized groups, Berkesch said. “We have designed the Roots of Unity workshop to assist in cultivating strong relationships among the participants, a network — seeded at the workshop and continuing throughout their careers &mdas...
PubDate: Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Ambrosio Receives 2024 Nemmers Prize
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Abstract: Luigi Ambrosio, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy, has received the Frederic Esser Nemmers Prize in Mathematics. Ambrosio was honored for his “deep and numerous contributions to calculus of variations and geometric measure theory, and broad and far-reaching influence on these fields,” as announced by Northwestern University.
Luigi AmbrosioCredit: Northwestern UniversityAmbrosio, a professor of mathematical analysis, will receive $300,000 and will present lectures, participate in seminars, and engage with faculty and students in other scholarly activities.“Together with his PhD advisor, Ennio De Giorgi, Ambrosio founded the theory of free discontinuity problems, a class of problems in the calculus of variations that involves the combination of volume and surface energies. In this class, it is possible to frame problems coming from image segmentation and fracture mechanics,” according to a press release.“In the second part of his career, Ambrosio moved to the theory of currents in geometric measure theory, introducing a far-reaching extension of the Federer-Fleming theory to metric spaces and to the theory of flows associated to non-smooth vector fields. His present research interests include optimal transport and analysis in metric measure spaces.”Ambrosio was a plenary speaker at the 2018 International Congress of Mathematics (ICM) and previously gave an invited section lecture at ICM 2002. His honors include the Caccioppoli Prize (1999), Fermat Prize (2003), Balzan Prize (2019), and Riemann Prize (2022).Northwestern’s biennial Nemmers Prizes recognize top scholars in earth sciences, economics, and mathematics for their lasting contributions to new knowledge, outstanding achievements, and the development of significant new modes of analysis.* * * * *The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Karl Menger Awards Presented to Teens at ISEF
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Abstract: The American Mathematical Society (AMS) presented the Karl Menger Awards at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) on May 17. The winners were high-school students who earned the right to compete at the Regeneron ISEF by winning a top prize at a local, regional, state, or national science fair. All winners received a one-year AMS membership and a booklet on Karl Menger.
Back row (l-r): Quang Tran, Manu Isaacs, Anna Oliva. Front row (l-r): Wesley Hamilton, Yoonsang Lee, Arda Ozcelebi, Emma Rueter, Anay Aggarwal, Helena WelchCredit: Society for Science/Lisa FryklundQuang Tran of Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, Harvey, LA, received the first-place prize of $2,000 for Divisors. Second awards ($1,000): Anna Oliva, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX, Symmetry, Fixed Points and Quantum Billiards and Emma Rueter, Leibniz-Gymnasium Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Integration of SequencesThird awards ($500): Arda Ozcelebi, Izmir Ozel Ege Lisesi, Izmir, Turkey, p-Euler-phi Partitions and Their Properties; Yoonsang Lee, Korea Science Academy of KAIST, Seoul, South Korea, A Study on Arc Index of Theta Curves; Anay Aggarwal and Manu Isaacs, Jesuit High School, Portland, OR, Fast Modular Exponentiation with Factored Modulus; Helena Welch, Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos, NM, Modeling an Ancient Musical InstrumentCertificates of Honorable Mention: Yunjia Quan, Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte, NC, Enhancing Ethereum?s Security With LUMEN; Austin Luo, Morgantown High School, Morgantown, WV, Injective Chromatic Index of Packet Radio Networks; Ayush Jain, Shri Ram School - Aravali Campus, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, Detecting Causality Using Symplectic Quandles; Joseph Vulakh, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY, Twisted Homogeneous Racks; Arav Chand, Half Hollow Hills High School West, Dix Hills, NY, Proofs of Fibonacci Analogues of Two Theorems; Songtianze Huang, Hangzhou Foreign Languages School, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, Group of seventh chord transformations; Sarah Lu, Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Mayaguez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Enhancing Federated Learning Using Math and CodingAbout the AwardAMS participation in the Regeneron ISEF is supported in part by funds from the Karl Menger Fund, which was established by the family of the late Karl Menger. Awards are given to pre-college students in mathematics as well as mathematically oriented projects in computer science, physics, and engineering at the fair. See the full list of special awards given at the 2024 Regeneron ISEF.Contact: AMS Communications* * * * *The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Sarnak Awarded 2024 Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences
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Abstract: Peter Sarnak of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and Princeton University has been awarded the 2024 Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences for his development of the arithmetic theory of thin groups and the affine sieve by bringing together number theory, analysis, combinatorics, dynamics, geometry, and spectral theory.
Peter SarnakCredit: Cliff Moore, IASBorn in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sarnak is currently Gopal Prasad Professor of Mathematics at IAS and Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics at Princeton, where he also has served as department chair. Sarnak received his PhD in Mathematics from Stanford University in 1980. He has taught at Stanford, New York University (NYU), and the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences of NYU. Sarnak is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and of the Royal Society of London.Awarded by the Shaw Prize Foundation are three annual prizes: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, each bearing a monetary award of US$1.2 million. The presentation ceremony is scheduled for November 12, 2024, in Hong Kong.* * * * *The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- Students Receive AMS Awards at 2024 MCM, ICM
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Abstract: Six teams of students received awards from the American Mathematical Society (AMS) for their work in this year's Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) and Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM).The MCM is an international contest for high-school students and college undergraduates that challenges teams to clarify, analyze, and propose solutions to open-ended problems. This year, 18,525 teams represented institutions from 20 countries and regions. The MCM winning institutions, team members, and faculty advisors are as follows:Problem A: Beijing Institute of Technology; Haoran Yi, Junrong Liu, and Zhe Zhao; advised by Xiaozheng GaoProblem B: Tongji University; Zeyang Wu, Xinliang Li, and Xiran Ni; advised by Jialiang XiangProblem C: Fudan University; Junjie Fei, Yuxin Shen, and Kaijie Du; advised by Zhijie CaiAn extension of the MCM, the ICM is designed to develop and advance interdisciplinary problem-solving skills as well as competence in written communication. This year, 10,388 teams represented institutions from 13 countries and regions. The ICM winning institutions, team members, and faculty advisors are as follows:Problem D: National University of Defense Technology; Haoyang Peng, Wei Li, and Siyuan Wang; advised by Liang YanProblem E: Xi'an Jiaotong University; Jiajun Lei, Junjie Wang, and Ruiyang Liu; advised by Jian ZuProblem F: Hunan Normal University; Wei Sun, Ting Mei, and Fangyuan Liu; advised by Hui OuThe Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP) runs both contests, which are sponsored in part by the AMS. Learn more about the ICM and MCM.*****The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 EST
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- In Memoriam: Jim Simons
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Abstract: With much sadness, the American Mathematical Society notes the passing of mathematician, philanthropist, and quantitative investor Jim Simons.*****The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.
PubDate: Sat, 11 May 2024 00:00:00 EST
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