Weekly bulletin

Find out what's happening this week at MSI.

29
Jul

Solving QQ-Systems via Tropical Geometry

  • Tuesday, 29 Jul 2025, 3 - 4pm

  • Room 1.33, Hanna Neumann Building #145 & on zoom - link TBC

  • Rahul Singh (Louisiana State University)
Abstract:
Certain systems of polynomial equations, known as QQ-systems, appear in surprising corners of geometry and mathematical physics — from the enumerative geometry of quiver varieties to aspects of the (deformed) geometric Langlands program. They also arise in the study of quantum integrable models of spin chain type, linked to quantum groups and Yangians. Specifically, the solutions to the QQ-system equations characterize the spectrum of these integrable models via the so-called Bethe ansatz equations. In this talk, I will give an introduction to quantum groups and integrable models, illustrated by the familiar example of Heisenberg spin chains. I will then explain how methods from tropical geometry − a combinatorial shadow of algebraic geometry − can be effectively used to construct and analyze solutions to QQ-systems. This is a joint work with Anton Zeitlin.
 
Zoom:
31
Jul

Oscillations and topology

  • Thursday, 31 Jul 2025, 4 - 5pm

  • Room 1.33 & 1.37, Hanna Neumann Building #145

  • Leonid Polterovich (Tel Aviv University)
Abstract: 
I'll discuss an approach to studying oscillations of functions based on ideas of topological data analysis. Applications include generalizations of two classical results, Courant's nodal domain theorem in spectral geometry and Bezout's theorem in algebraic geometry. Joint with Lev Buhovsky, Jordan Payette, Iosif Polterovich, Egor Shelukhin, and Vukašin Stojisavljević.
31
Jul

Sea^2 = Play^2 + Me^2

  • Thursday, 31 Jul 2025, 5:30 - 6:30pm

  • Seminar Room 1.33 & 1.37

    Mathematical Sciences Institute

    ANU College of Science

    Hanna Neumann Building #145, Science Road

    The Australian National University

    Canberra ACT 2600

  • Jordan Pitt (University of Sydney)

Join us for a public lecture from Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean Indigenous Strategy & Services Jordan Pitt (University of Sydney and Australian National University Alumni). Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Abstract

Every time I mention that I’m a mathematician to someone new, the most popular response is ‘Oh I was TERRIBLE at maths!' and a general vibe that I’m extremely strange for not sharing in this feeling. Honestly, as mathematicians, we are a bit different, but I am going to try and explain why we’re not that strange in this talk. To do this I will provide some stories of my own mathematical journey and why I ended up loving it. 

About the speaker

Jordan is a descendant of the Birri Gubba people, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services and Applied Mathematician at the University of Sydney. He completed his PhD at the Australian National University in 2019 developing methods to model the inundation caused by tsunamis and storm surges. His current research, begun as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide focuses on modelling the interaction between ocean waves and sea ice, which forms as the ocean’s surface freezes. This interaction influences the annual growth and melt of sea ice, which is a key indicator and driver of the Earth’s climate.

01
Aug

IMMC National Winners Presentation

  • Friday, 1 Aug 2025, 11am - 1pm

  • Room 1.33, Hanna Neumann Building #145

Join us at the Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) as we celebrate the outstanding achievement of the Australian national winners of the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC).

This special event will feature a 30–40 minute presentation by the winning team from Canberra College, who will showcase their innovative solution to a global challenge—designing a seasonal structure for a Global Basketball League (GSL). Their project explores issues of fair play, logistical feasibility, equitable travel, and environmental impact, combining sport and applied mathematics on a global scale.

Following the student presentation, Professor Barry Croke will deliver a short talk, offering reflections on mathematical modelling and its real-world applications.

This event is open to all staff, students, and members of the public with an interest in applied mathematics.

01
Aug

P-adic Numbers and Some Applications

  • Friday, 1 Aug 2025, 2 - 3pm

  • Room 1.33, Hanna Neumann Building #145

  • Snehinh Sen

Abstract: 

This talk is meant to be a gentle introduction to the fascinating world of $p$−adic numbers. This is a realm where $p^{n}$ keeps on becoming smaller and smaller as we increase $n$.This will be followed by a discussion on three fascinating applications - one from algebra/analysis, one from combinatorics/geometry, and one from algebra/number theory… quite a wide range, right?