Recent and Upcoming Talks
Mar 14, '25 (Colloquium, Friday, 4:30–5:30 pm, M1001),
Peter May (University of Chicago),
Finite sets, symmetric groups, and categorical combinatorics
Equivariant multiplicative infinite loop space theory is interesting, but hard. I will describe definitions in terms of symmetric groups which promise to give an
easy new way to build the theory. As I shall describe, the main obstruction to making the new theory rigorous is the elementary categorical combinatorics of
symmetric groups.
Mar 21, '25 (Friday, 4:30–5:30 pm, M5024),
David White (Denison University),
Spatiotemporal statistics, TDA, and drug overdose
I will give an overview of time series data (that is, data sampled at different points in time) and spatially autocorrelated data (e.g., home prices, where the
price of the house next to yours contains information about the likely price of your house). I'll then discuss the most common statistical models for such data,
including ARIMA models that factor in what the past knows about the present, spectral models based on Fourier analysis, spatially weighted models, and the general
linear mixed model for data with both spatial and temporal autocorrelation. I'll illustrate these models with vignettes from my research, on problems related to
drug overdose and to the policing of protests in the USA. If there is time, I will explain some new research applying topological data analysis (TDA) to model
the spatiotemporal spread of overdoses.
May 16, '25 (Friday, 4:30–5:30 pm, M5024),
Hongwei Jia (Tongji University),
Topological physics
Topology, a cornerstone of modern mathematics, provides a universal framework for classifying defects in physical systems, e.g., nematic disclinations,
spin/orbital angular momentum, and spatial vortices etc. Its integration with band theory has revolutionized our understanding of momentum space as a parameter
space, where band degeneracies (Dirac/Weyl points) are characterized by topological invariants constructed from Berry phase, exemplified by winding numbers and
Chern classes. The recent incorporation of algebraic topology tools, particularly homotopy and homology theories, has further enriched the classification of
topological phases. In this talk, we introduce the application of catastrophe theory–a distinct mathematical branch–in band theories. Focusing on PT-symmetric
non-Hermitian systems, we demonstrate that catastrophe singularities in the ADE classification (cuspoids, umbilics, etc.) universally manifest as symmetry
protected band degeneracies, defining unprecedented topological phase classes. Crucially, these catastrophe-engineered degeneracies host novel topological edge
states that persist in gapless regimes, challenging the conventional bulk–boundary correspondence. Our findings establish connections between catastrophe
theory and topological matter. This cross-disciplinary synthesis opens new avenues for topological physics and enriches the fundamental understanding of
singularity-associated topological phenomena.