AMS Student Chapter Seminar: Difference between revisions

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The AMS Student Chapter Seminar is an informal, graduate student-run seminar on a wide range of mathematical topics. Pastries (usually donuts) will be provided.
The AMS Student Chapter Seminar (aka Donut Seminar) is an informal, graduate student seminar on a wide range of mathematical topics. The goal of the seminar is to promote community building and give graduate students an opportunity to communicate fun, accessible math to their peers in a stress-free (but not sugar-free) environment. Pastries (usually donuts) will be provided.


* '''When:''' Wednesdays, 3:20 PM – 3:50 PM
* '''When:''' Thursdays 4:00-4:30pm
* '''Where:''' Van Vleck, 9th floor lounge (unless otherwise announced)
* '''Where:''' Van Vleck, 9th floor lounge (unless otherwise announced)
* '''Organizers:''' [https://www.math.wisc.edu/~malexis/ Michel Alexis], [https://www.math.wisc.edu/~drwagner/ David Wagner], [http://www.math.wisc.edu/~nicodemus/ Patrick Nicodemus], [http://www.math.wisc.edu/~thaison/ Son Tu]
* '''Organizers:''' Ivan Aidun, Alex Bonat, Kaiyi Huang, Ethan Schondorf


Everyone is welcome to give a talk. To sign up, please contact one of the organizers with a title and abstract. Talks are 30 minutes long and should avoid assuming significant mathematical background beyond first-year graduate courses.
Everyone is welcome to give a talk. To sign up, please contact one of the organizers with a title and abstract. Talks are 25 minutes long and should avoid assuming significant mathematical background beyond first-year graduate courses.


The schedule of talks from past semesters can be found [[AMS Student Chapter Seminar, previous semesters|here]].
The schedule of talks from past semesters can be found [[AMS Student Chapter Seminar, previous semesters|here]].


== Fall 2018 ==
== Spring 2025 ==
<center>
{| cellspacing="5" cellpadding="14" border="0" style="color:black; font-size:120%"
! align="center" width="200" bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |'''Date'''
! align="center" width="200" bgcolor="#A6B658" |'''Speaker'''
! align="center" width="300" bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |'''Title'''
! align="center" width="400" bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |'''Abstract'''
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |January 30
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Caroline Nunn
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Watch Caroline eat a donut: an introduction to Morse theory
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Morse theory has been described as "one of the deepest applications of differential geometry to topology." However, the concepts involved in Morse theory are so simple that you can learn them just by watching me eat a donut (and subsequently watching me give a 20 minute talk explaining Morse theory.) No background is needed beyond calc 3 and a passing familiarity with donuts.
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |February 6
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |February 13
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Chiara Travesset
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |February 20
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |February 27
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |March 6
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |March 13
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |March 19
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Special Visit Day Talks!
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |March 20
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |CANCELLED
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |March 27
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |April 3
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |April 10
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |April 17
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |April 24
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |May 1
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |TBA
|}
</center>




=== September 26, Vladimir Sotirov ===
== Fall 2024 ==
<center>
{| cellspacing="5" cellpadding="14" border="0" style="color:black; font-size:120%"
! align="center" width="200" bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |'''Date'''
! align="center" width="200" bgcolor="#A6B658" |'''Speaker'''
! align="center" width="300" bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |'''Title'''
! align="center" width="400" bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |'''Abstract'''
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |September 12
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Ari Davidovsky
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |95% of people can't solve this!
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" | [[File:Image.png|360px]]


Title: Geometric Algebra
We will attempt to answer this question and along the way explore how algebra and geometry work together to solve problems in number theory.
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |September 19
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |CANCELLED
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
|-
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |September 26
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Mateo Morales
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Officially petitioning the department to acquire a ping pong table.
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Ever want to prove something is a free group of rank 2? Me too. One way to do this is to use a ping pong argument of how a group generated by two elements acts on a set.
I will illustrate the ping pong argument using an example of matrices, explain how it works, and explain why, kinda.


Abstract: Geometric algebra, developed at the end of the 19th century by Grassman, Clifford, and Lipschitz, is the forgotten progenitor of the linear algebra we use to this day developed by Gibbs and Heaviside.
Very approachable if you know what a group is but does require tons of ping pong experience.
In this short introduction, I will use geometric algebra to do two things. First, I will construct the field of complex numbers and the division algebra of the quaternions in a coordinate-free way. Second, I will derive the geometric interpretation of complex numbers and quaternions as representations of rotations in 2- and 3-dimensional space.
|-
 
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |October 3
=== October 3, Juliette Bruce ===
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Karthik Ravishankar
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Incompleteness for the working mathematician
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |In this talk we'll take a look at Gödels famous incompleteness theorems and look at some of its immediate as well as interesting consequences. No background in logic is necessary!
 
|-
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |October 10
 
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Elizabeth Hankins
=== October 10, Jurt Ehlert ===
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Mathematical Origami and Flat-Foldability
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |If you've ever unfolded a piece of origami, you might have noticed complicated symmetries in the pattern of creases left behind. What patterns of lines can and cannot be folded into origami? And why is it sometimes hard to determine?
Title: How to bet when gambling
|-
 
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |October 17
Abstract: When gambling, typically casinos have the edge. But sometimes we can gain an edge by counting cards or other means. And sometimes we have an edge in the biggest casino of all: the financial markets. When we do have an advantage, then we still need to decide how much to bet. Bet too little, and we leave money on the table. Bet too much, and we risk financial ruin. We will discuss the "Kelly criterion", which is a betting strategy that is optimal in many senses.
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |CANCELLED
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
=== October 17, TBD ===
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
 
|-
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |October 24
 
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |CANCELLED
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
=== October 24, TBD ===
|-
 
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |October 31
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Jacob Wood
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |What is the length of a <s>potato</s> pumpkin?
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |How many is a jack-o-lantern? What is the length of a pumpkin? These questions sound like nonsense, but they have perfectly reasonable interpretations with perfectly reasonable answers. On our journey through the haunted house with two rooms, we will encounter some scary characters like differential topology and measure theory. Do not fear; little to no experience in either subject is required.
 
|-
=== October 31, TBD ===
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |November 7
 
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |CANCELLED: DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
Abstract: TBD
|-
 
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |November 14
=== November 7, TBD ===
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Sapir Ben-Shahar
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Hexaflexagons
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Come along for some hexaflexafun and discover the mysterious properties of hexaflexagons, the bestagons! Learn how to make and navigate through the folds of your very own paper hexaflexagon. No prior knowledge of hexagons (or hexaflexagons) is assumed.
 
|-
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |November 21
 
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Andrew Krenz
=== November 14, Soumya Sankar ===
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |All concepts are database queries
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |A celebrated result of applied category theory states that the category of small categories is equivalent to the category of database schemas. Therefore, every theorem about small categories can be interpreted as a theorem about databases.  Maybe you've heard someone repeat Mac Lane's famous slogan "all concepts are Kan extensions."  In this talk, I'll give a high-level overview of/introduction to categorical database theory (developed by David Spivak) wherein Kan extensions play the role of regular every day database queries.  No familiarity with categories or databases will be assumed.
Title: TBD
|-
 
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |November 28
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |THANKSGIVING
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
=== November 21, Cancelled due to Thanksgiving===
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |NONE
 
|-
Title: TBD
| bgcolor="#D0D0D0" |December 5
 
| bgcolor="#A6B658" |Ivan Aidun
Abstract: TBD
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Impromptu talk
 
| bgcolor="#BCD2EE" |Caroline is sick today, so Ivan will give an impromptu talk about something.
=== November 28, TBD ===
|}
 
</center>
Title: TBD
 
Abstract: TBD
 
=== December 5, TBD ===
 
Title: TBD
 
Abstract: TBD
 
=== December 12, TBD ===
 
Title: TBD
 
Abstract: TBD

Latest revision as of 16:49, 4 February 2025

The AMS Student Chapter Seminar (aka Donut Seminar) is an informal, graduate student seminar on a wide range of mathematical topics. The goal of the seminar is to promote community building and give graduate students an opportunity to communicate fun, accessible math to their peers in a stress-free (but not sugar-free) environment. Pastries (usually donuts) will be provided.

  • When: Thursdays 4:00-4:30pm
  • Where: Van Vleck, 9th floor lounge (unless otherwise announced)
  • Organizers: Ivan Aidun, Alex Bonat, Kaiyi Huang, Ethan Schondorf

Everyone is welcome to give a talk. To sign up, please contact one of the organizers with a title and abstract. Talks are 25 minutes long and should avoid assuming significant mathematical background beyond first-year graduate courses.

The schedule of talks from past semesters can be found here.

Spring 2025

Date Speaker Title Abstract
January 30 Caroline Nunn Watch Caroline eat a donut: an introduction to Morse theory Morse theory has been described as "one of the deepest applications of differential geometry to topology." However, the concepts involved in Morse theory are so simple that you can learn them just by watching me eat a donut (and subsequently watching me give a 20 minute talk explaining Morse theory.) No background is needed beyond calc 3 and a passing familiarity with donuts.
February 6 TBA TBA TBA
February 13 Chiara Travesset TBA TBA
February 20 TBA TBA TBA
February 27 TBA TBA TBA
March 6 TBA TBA TBA
March 13 TBA TBA TBA
March 19 TBA Special Visit Day Talks! TBA
March 20 CANCELLED NONE NONE
March 27 TBA TBA TBA
April 3 TBA TBA TBA
April 10 TBA TBA TBA
April 17 TBA TBA TBA
April 24 TBA TBA TBA
May 1 TBA TBA TBA


Fall 2024

Date Speaker Title Abstract
September 12 Ari Davidovsky 95% of people can't solve this! Image.png

We will attempt to answer this question and along the way explore how algebra and geometry work together to solve problems in number theory.

September 19 CANCELLED NONE NONE
September 26 Mateo Morales Officially petitioning the department to acquire a ping pong table. Ever want to prove something is a free group of rank 2? Me too. One way to do this is to use a ping pong argument of how a group generated by two elements acts on a set.

I will illustrate the ping pong argument using an example of matrices, explain how it works, and explain why, kinda.

Very approachable if you know what a group is but does require tons of ping pong experience.

October 3 Karthik Ravishankar Incompleteness for the working mathematician In this talk we'll take a look at Gödels famous incompleteness theorems and look at some of its immediate as well as interesting consequences. No background in logic is necessary!
October 10 Elizabeth Hankins Mathematical Origami and Flat-Foldability If you've ever unfolded a piece of origami, you might have noticed complicated symmetries in the pattern of creases left behind. What patterns of lines can and cannot be folded into origami? And why is it sometimes hard to determine?
October 17 CANCELLED NONE NONE
October 24 CANCELLED NONE NONE
October 31 Jacob Wood What is the length of a potato pumpkin? How many is a jack-o-lantern? What is the length of a pumpkin? These questions sound like nonsense, but they have perfectly reasonable interpretations with perfectly reasonable answers. On our journey through the haunted house with two rooms, we will encounter some scary characters like differential topology and measure theory. Do not fear; little to no experience in either subject is required.
November 7 CANCELLED: DISTINGUISHED LECTURE NONE NONE
November 14 Sapir Ben-Shahar Hexaflexagons Come along for some hexaflexafun and discover the mysterious properties of hexaflexagons, the bestagons! Learn how to make and navigate through the folds of your very own paper hexaflexagon. No prior knowledge of hexagons (or hexaflexagons) is assumed.
November 21 Andrew Krenz All concepts are database queries A celebrated result of applied category theory states that the category of small categories is equivalent to the category of database schemas. Therefore, every theorem about small categories can be interpreted as a theorem about databases.  Maybe you've heard someone repeat Mac Lane's famous slogan "all concepts are Kan extensions."  In this talk, I'll give a high-level overview of/introduction to categorical database theory (developed by David Spivak) wherein Kan extensions play the role of regular every day database queries.  No familiarity with categories or databases will be assumed.
November 28 THANKSGIVING NONE NONE
December 5 Ivan Aidun Impromptu talk Caroline is sick today, so Ivan will give an impromptu talk about something.
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