Thursday, January 7
Speaker: Anne Greenbaum and others
Title: ACMS Info Session, Open House
Thursday, January 14
Speaker: Jonathan Claridge, UW Applied Math
Title: Approximating derivatives, and doing it well: A brief introduction to numerical analysis.
Abstract: Scientific applications often require us to estimate the derivatives of a function, but based only on its value at a finite number of points. The formal definition of a derivative provides one way to do this, but it turns out that with a little more effort, we can do much better. In this talk, I'll show what "better" means in this case, and show ways that you can find derivative approximations on your own. These issues are at the heart of numerical analysis, which is a gorgeous subject connecting continuous mathematics to computation.
Thursday, January 21
Speaker: Aleksandr Aravkin, UW Math
Title: Robust Regression and Kalman Smoothing
Abstract: Linear regression is a fundamental problem in statistics, and can be understood from the point of view of optimization. This viewpoint then allows easy generalizations to outlier-robust linear regression, that is, regression robust to the presence of mistakes in the data. We will discuss the optimization approach to robust linear regression, and then show how the same ideas can be applied in the context of Kalman filtering and smoothing, a fundamental topic in engineering and control theory.
Thursday, January 28
Speaker: Luke Wolcott, UW Math
Title: A Gentle Introduction to Category Theory: Architecture of the Universe or Abstract Nonsense?
Abstract: Some people call mathematics the language of nature. Some mathematicians call category theory the language of mathematics. This broad theory attempts to capture the shape of all of mathematics, and is notoriously abstract. (Search "general abstract nonsense" on Wikipedia and category theory comes up!) But it is also remarkably simple. I'll give you a gentle introduction to this very important and powerful theory, and will show with lots of examples how simple and natural it is. At the same time, you'll get a taste of what higher mathematics is about. I'll also mention some of the recent applications of category theory to theoretical computer science.
Thursday, February 4
Speaker: Russ Rockne, UW Pathology
Title: Mathematical Modeling of Brain Tumors
Thursday, February 11
Speaker: Danny Grunbaum, UW Oceanography
Title: Estimating the Effects of Unresolved Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity in Models of Plankton Populations
Abstract: The resources of most marine organisms vary spatially and temporally across a wide range of scales. In contrast, the models used to understand and predict the these organisms' populations typically adopt a mean-field approach, in which most heterogeneity is intentionally excluded. Consequences of the missing dynamics include inaccurate estimates of trophic interaction rates, ineffective management policies, and possibly an inability to explain fundamental characteristics of marine ecosystems such as diversity and stability. In this overview talk, I will outline three approaches towards understanding and quantifying effects of heterogeneity. First, I will introduce dimensional analysis as a tool to reduce parameters and obtain dynamically meaningful indices of plankton dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes. I will then show some behavioral observations from video tracking of plankton, from which organism-level swimming movements and encounter rates can be inferred. Finally, I will illustrate how hydrodynamic models of plankton swimming may help interpret the roles of physiology, behavior and environment in determining how populations function in heterogeneous landscapes.
Thursday, February 18
Speaker: Gregor Passolt (gregor.passolt@gmail.com)
Title: Teaching Math in Tanzania
Abstract: Uninterested in a desk job and unsure of graduate school, after graduating with a math degree I spent two years in the Peace Corps teaching calculus and physics in Tanzania. I'll talk about the experience of living in a tiny village and how the problems in the third world have shaped my research interests and goals.
Thursday, February 25
Speaker: Daniel Finkel, UW Math
Title: What Would Archimedes Do?
Abstract: People have always found mathematics appealing for its elegance and beauty. In this talk, we'll prove some very familiar facts using ancient techniques, revisiting some of history's most elegant (and accessible!) arguments. The talk will be particularly relevant to anyone interested in pursuing or teaching mathematics. No knowledge of calculus is necessary, but calculus as a subject will hopefully be more clearly motivated by the end.
Thursday, March 4
Speaker: Ignatius Rigor, Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory
Title: Is Arctic Sea Ice Retreating?