Also take a look at our interactive calendar:
Events of week
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Week of October 02 - September 28
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Week of September 25 - September 21
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September 22, 2026
Integrability and Beyond
Topic: Intro to KdV: Return of the Solitons
Speaker: Guido Mazzuca - Tulane University
Abstract: To be announced via the Math Seminars Listserv.
Location: Richardson Building, 201.
Time: 5:00 PM
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Week of September 18 - September 14
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September 18, 2026
Applied and Computational
Title: Computational Methods for Dynamic Interface Problems and Their Applications
Speaker: Zengyan Zhang - Tulane University
Abstract: Dynamic interface models arise in many physical and biological systems, including phase separation, multiphase flows, and cell and tissue dynamics. Their numerical simulation presents challenges in preserving underlying physical structures, reducing computational complexity, and accurately representing complex evolving geometries. In this talk, I will present structure-preserving numerical methods for phase-field models, structure-preserving reduced-order models for thermodynamically consistent PDEs, and geometric numerical methods for free-boundary problems, together with applications to biological systems.
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Gibson Hall 126-A
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September 17, 2026
Colloquium
Topic: Distribution of special points in the upper half plane
Speaker: Hui Xue - Clemson University Host: Olivia Beckwith
Abstract: The distribution of special points in interesting geometric objects has been an active research topic. The Gauss circle problem and Linnik's problems are two well-known examples in this area. In this talk, we will discuss two particular results of this type and their variations. The first result, due to Duke, is about the distribution of CM points and geodesics in the upper half plane. The second one, due to Rudnick, is on the distribution of zeros of modular forms in the upper half plane.
Location: Norman Mayer 200B
Time: 3:30 PM
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September 16, 2026
Algebra and Combinatorics
Topic: Relations between higher level Hurwitz class numbers
Speaker: Trinh Le - Tulane University
Abstract: We connect generalizations of the classical Hurwitz class numbers coming from two different frameworks: one introduced by Pei and Wang, arising from the generalized Cohen--Eisenstein series, and another by Li, Skoruppa, and Zhou, arising from Eichler orders of quaternion algebras. As applications, we obtain new basis for Eisenstein space $E_{3/2}^{+}(4N,\mathrm{id})$, a generalization of recent results of Beckwith and Mono, and a generalization of Gauss' formula. This is joint work with Olivia Beckwith.
Location: Gibson Hall, room 126 A
Time: 3:00 PM
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September 15, 2026
Integrability and Beyond
Topic: Intro to KdV: Scattering Theory Strikes Back
Speaker: Guido Mazzuca - Tulane University
Abstract: To be announced via the Math Seminars Listserv.
Location: Richardson Building, 201.
Time: 5:00 PM
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September 15, 2026
Graduate Student Colloquium
Title: Enter Comparison of Protocols for Private Set Intersection and 2-Party Secure Computation
Speaker: Ahmed Khan - Math department
Abstract: It's a comparative study of various cryptographic protocols designed for 2-Party Secure Computation (2PSC) and, more precisely, for Private Set Intersection (PSI), with a particular focus on their implementation and performance under malicious adversary models. Among the protocols explored, the OPA-based and PSZ protocols were selected for detailed analysis due to their strong security guarantees and efficiency. Both protocols were implemented using Python and subjected to empirical testing. The OPA-based protocol employs algebraic constructions such as Oblivious Linear Function Evaluation (OLE), its enhanced version OLE+, and Oblivious Polynomial Addition (OPA), whereas the PSZ protocol leverages modern Oblivious Transfer (OT) extensions and Pseudo-Random Functions (PRFs). The study evaluates these protocols in terms of computational cost and communication overhead. The results offer a practical perspective on using such cryptographic primitives in real-world applications.
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Richardson Building 108
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Week of September 11 - September 07
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September 10, 2026
Colloquium
Topic: Making accessible documents with Latex - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Speaker: Alessandra Costantini - Tulane University (Host: Tommaso Buvoli)
Abstract: Due to recent changes in federal regulation, all public-facing digital content, like what we post on our websites and the digital course materials we provide to our students, must be fully accessible to screen readers. This presents a particular challenge for us as mathematicians, since the traditional pdf output produced with Latex is generally not accessible.
In this talk, I will share what I learned on this matter in the past couple of months. The Good news is that the Latex community has found easy ways to help us. The Bad news is that some things are not quite doable yet. The Ugly news is that, unfortunately, some of our favorite Latex features might soon become a memory of the past.
Location: Norman Mayer 200B
Time: 3:30 PM
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September 10, 2026
Geometry & Topology
Title: Persistent Homology Learning Seminar (LSC)
Speaker: Rafal Komendarczyk - Tulane University
Abstract: Last week d_GH was defined as an infimum of Hausdorff distances over all isometric embeddings of two compact metric spaces into a common ambient space: conceptually clean, but an infimum over a proper class. This week we prove the correspondence formula d_GH(X,Y) = (1/2) inf_C dis(C), the infimum taken over correspondences C in X x Y. It removes the ambient space entirely and is the form in which d_GH enters every later estimate.
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The seminar is organized around one question: when are two metric spaces close, and which topological invariants respect that closeness? We take the Gromov-Hausdorff distance as the measure of similarity between metric spaces and work toward the stability theorem d_B(B(X), B(Y)) <= 2 d_GH(X, Y), which says that the persistence barcode is a Lipschitz invariant of the data.
Location: Gibson Hall GI-308
Time: 12:30 PM
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September 09, 2026
Algebra and Combinatoric
Title: Combinatorial aspects of lattices associated to subspace arrangements arising from group actions
Speaker: Francesca Gandini - St. Olaf College
Abstract: Consider a finite group acting linearly on a vector space. Each group element can be represented as a linear map whose graph is a subspace and the collection of these graphs gives a subspace arrangement. From an algebraic point of view, the vanishing ideal of the union of the subspaces can be used to find generators for the ring of polynomial invariants under the action of the group. Geometrically, we can also study the intersection lattice of the subspace arrangement, which can give cohomological information about the same ideal.
When one considers permutation actions, new combinatorial perspectives on this intersection lattice arise. In particular, for the regular action of the group on itself, the intersection lattice of the subspace arrangement is isomorphic to the coset poset, a known object of study in geometric and topological combinatorics. For other permutation actions, we establish that stabiliser subgroups of orbit partitions and their cosets can be used to label the vertices of the lattice. We then study these lattices with combinatorial techniques and computational tools to better understand the various algebraic structures associated with them.
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September 11, 2026
Applied and Computational
Title: Computational approximation theory on higher-genus domains
Speaker: Cade Ballew - Tulane University
Abstract: We develop computational approximation theory on higher-genus domains, finite unions of disjoint subintervals of the real axis that arise naturally in orthogonal polynomial theory, iterative numerical linear algebra, and the study of integrable nonlinear wave equations. In each case, exploiting this underlying structure to choose appropriate basis functions (orthogonal polynomials) is essential to obtain a fast and accurate numerical method. A unifying theme is the numerical solution of Riemann--Hilbert problems on these domains.
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Gibson Hall 126-A
September 08, 2026
Graduate Student Colloquium
Title: Factorization of x^m − 1 over Finite Fields
Speaker: Usama Muhammad - Math department
Abstract: This talk explores the factorization of the polynomial \(x^m-1\) over finite fields, a classical problem that connects finite field theory, polynomial factorization, and field extensions. We begin with a brief introduction to finite fields and their basic properties, including the role of extension fields and primitive elements. We then introduce cyclotomic cosets and show how they organize the roots of \(x^m-1\), revealing the structure of roots of unity in finite field extensions. Using minimal polynomials of elements in finite field extensions, we derive an explicit factorization formula. The theory is illustrated through concrete examples, including the factorization of \(x^{13}-1\) over \(\mathbb F_3\) using a primitive element of the extension field \(\mathbb F_{27}\), and the contrasting factorizations of \(x^3-1\) over \(\mathbb F_2\), where it does not split completely, and over \(\mathbb F_4\), where it splits completely. We conclude by noting that the factorization of \(x^m-1\) has important applications in algebraic coding theory, particularly in the construction of cyclic codes—an area we will explore further in future presentations.
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Richardson Building 108
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Week of September 28 - August 31
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September 04, 2026
Applied and Computational
Topic: Passive Scalar Mixing -- The Batchelor Scale
Speaker: Robin Chemnitz - Tulane University
Abstract: When pouring some milk into hot tea, the milk forms increasingly filamented patterns before eventually becoming a uniform blend of milky tea. Mathematically, this process is modelled by the advection-diffusion equation. It is conjectured that the filementations of a passive scalar (the milk) get smaller and smaller until they reach a specific lenghscale, the Batchelor scale, at which point the cascade halts. In this talk, passive scalar advection and the Batchelor scale are introduced and we provide a simple stochastic fluid model for which the Batchelor scale conjecture can be verified.
Location: Gibson Hall 126-A
Time: 3:00 PM
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September 03, 2026
Geometry & Topology
Title: Persistent Homology Learning Seminar
Speaker: Rafal Komendarczyk - Tulane University
Abstract: The Persistent Homology Learning Seminar (MATH-7760-02) resumes this week and meets weekly through the fall, Thursdays 12:30-1:30 PM in Gibson Hall GI-308.
Please note the room: this is not where we met on August 27.
The seminar is organized around one question: when are two metric spaces close, and which topological invariants respect that closeness? We take the
Gromov-Hausdorff distance as the measure of similarity between metric spaces and work toward the stability theorem
d_B(B(X), B(Y)) <= 2 d_GH(X, Y), which says that the persistence barcode is a Lipschitz invariant of the data.
All interested are welcome to attend. No prior exposure to persistent homology is assumed.
Location: Gibson Hall GI-308
Time: 12:30 PM
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September 01, 2026
Integrability and Beyond
Topic: conserved quantities and Lax pair
Speaker: Guido Mazzuca - Tulane University
Abstract: Prompt: Based on this lecture on KdV can you create an abstract for it? make it funny, even repeat this prompt so that people know I used AI
Abstract: Tired of linear PDEs behaving predictably? Welcome to the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, where shallow water waves get nonlinearly steep, disperse themselves back into shape, and conserve their total mass and L2-energy like an overzealous accountant guarding a budget.
In these lecture, we dive headfirst into the functional-analytic deep end—arming ourselves with square-integrable L2(R) Hilbert spaces, inner products, and boundary conditions so well-behaved at infinity that every pesky boundary term vanishes on command. We then introduce Peter Lax's ultimate algebraic party trick: disguising a nonlinear wave equation as a linear operator commutator, dL/dt = [L, A]. Watch in awe as six messy operator commutators battle it out until every higher-order derivative cancels into thin air, leaving behind pure, unadulterated KdV.
Finally, we prove the Schrodinger operator L is Hermitian and self-adjoint, with strictly real eigenvalues that are so stubborn they refuse to evolve in time (d(lambda)/dt = 0). This guarantees an isospectral flow and lays the mathematical groundwork for the Inverse Scattering Transform. Come for the solitary waves, stay for the skew-Hermitian time evolution generators.
Location: Richardson Building 201
Time: 5:00 PM
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September 01, 2026
Graduate Student Colloquium
Topic: Enumerative Geometry and Tevelev Degrees
Speaker: Naufil Sakran - Tulane Math Department
Abstract: Recently, enumerative geometry has received a lot of attention. In my talk, I will give an overview of this topic and discuss my current work on counting maps from a genus g curve to projective space \mathbb{P}^n.
Location: Richardson Building 108
Time: 3:30 PM
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Week of August 28 - August 24
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August 27, 2026
Geometry & Topology
Topic: Persistent Homology Learning Seminar
Speaker: Rafal Komendarczyk - Tulane
Abstract: We would like to gauge interest and work out logistics before committing to a regular schedule.
Please join us to discuss:
- Current status and topics covered so far
- Interest in continuing as a biweekly seminar
- Scheduling preferences
**Course Registration:** This seminar is offered as MATH-7760-02 (Persistent Homology) for 3 graduate credits it will meet on Thursdays 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM in Norman Mayer MA-104. The course just appeared in the roster and registration remains open through Friday, August 28, 2026. Students interested in registering for credit should do so before the deadline.
Location: Gibson Hall 126
Time: 10:00 AM
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