Graduate Student Colloquium Math 2017 Spring

Spring 2017
Time & Location: All talks are on Tuesdays in Stanley Thomas 316 at 4:30 PM unless otherwise noted.
Organizer: Alexej Gossmann

January, 24
Special Faculty Talk: The Method of Brackets
Victor H. Molltulane University
Abstract:

January 31
Some Algebraic Properties of Toric Edge Ideals
Silvi BeyarslanTulane University
Abstract:

February 7
Poincare Duality With Local Coecients
Fang SunTulane University
Abstract: TBA

February 14
Lasso, Group Lasso, and SLOPE
SpeakerTulane University
Abstract:
From linear regression, I will introduce the penalty method such as ridge method and lasso method. However, in some cases, the variates have strong correlation with each other, then we can use the group lasso. After that, I will talk about SLOPE(sorted L-One Penalty Estimation), which is method similar to the lasso method and consider the false discovery rate as the criteria.
 
March 7
Topic
Diego VillamizarTulane University
Abstract:
"I will talk about r-indecomposable factorial numbers, and how I do not know anything about them.
 
March 14
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Pi (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Aram BinghamTulane University
Abstract:
Imagine all of the internet burns down, with all the books inside it, and we have to recreate the current state of mathematics with our bare brains. What facts about pi (pronounced pee) will we retain? After reciting some of the trivia which is Pi Day orthodoxy, we will discuss proofs of those aspects of pi we take most for granted, making reference to open problems as well.
 
April 4
Antibody-mediated immobilization of virions in mucus
Speaker: Melanie JensenTulane University
Abstract:
Using particle tracking data, we construct a multi-scale model assuming linear rates to describe the dynamics of virions in a mucosal medium in varying exogenous antibody concentrations. First, we develop a classification system for the data based on the trajectories of the visions that correspond to Brownian and stationary motion. While the antibody-mucin dynamics and the virion-antibody-mucin dynamics occur on different time scales, we model both interactions with continuous-time Markov Chains in order to compute the stationary distribution of virion immobilization.  To specify our model with the data, we use identifiability analysis to set mathematically optimal and biological feasible parameter values. Finally, we compare theoretical immobilization times with observed immobilization times  to determine if the virion-antibody-mucin dynamics can be approximated using linear rates.   

April 11
Applied and Computational Topology
Sushovan MajhiTulane University
Abstract:
Let's add topological twist and computational toppings to the pizza.  We will talk about the recent developments in Applied and Computational Topology. We will also talk about the opportunities and career options in this relatively young branch of mathematics.

April 18
Surreal Numbers and Nimbers
Jonathan O'RourkeTulane University
Abstract:
We will discuss the class of numbers called "surreal numbers" by Donald Knuth: the largest totally ordered field that contains the real numbers. We will construct them via John Conway's game, Hackenbush. We will also construct another collection, "nimbers," and discuss properties of both collections.

April 25
Topic
Robyn BrooksTulane University
Abstract:
 
How many famous women mathematicians do you know?  This talk will focus on some of the women (past and present) who have contributed to the field of mathematics.