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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260108T200326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T161023Z
UID:10003868-1772640000-1772643600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:2026 Ding Shum Lecture: Sanjeev Arora\, Princeton
DESCRIPTION:2026 Ding Shum Lecture \nDate: March 4\, 2026 \nTime: 4:00 pm \nLocation: Harvard Science Center Hall D & via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Sanjeev Arora\, Princeton \nTitle: How could a Superhuman AI mathematician come about? \n\nAbstract: Can AI systems exceed the capabilities of the human experts who provided their training data? The talk will examine the hypothesis of AI self‑improvement\, involving mechanisms such as synthetic data generation\, reinforcement learning\, and tool‑augmented reasoning with formal verification loops. \nI will also present recent work at Princeton\, including the Gödel Prover V2 for Lean‑based theorem proving and a new inference pipeline that achieved state‑of‑the‑art performance (at the time of evaluation) on IMO‑ProofBench (Advanced) at moderate inference costs ($20–$30 per problem). These will illustrate how AI systems are sometimes able to escape “cognitive wells”—local optima in a model’s reasoning capabilities. While providing evidence for the feasibility of self‑improvement\, they also highlight important hurdles and open questions. \n\n  \n\n \nSanjeev Arora is Charles C. Fitzmorris Professor of Computer Science and Director of Princeton Language and Intelligence\, a unit devoted to research and applications of large AI models. He got his Phd from UC Berkeley in 1994 and has been a faculty member at Princeton since then. He has been awarded the ACM Prize in Computing (2011)\, Fulkerson Prize in Discrete Mathematics (2012)\, Packard Fellowship\, Sloan Fellowship\, and the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Prize. He was a plenary speaker at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 2018 and is a member of the National Academy of Science and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. \n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is made possible by the generous funding of Ding Lei and Harry Shum.\n\n\n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/2026_dingshum/
LOCATION:Harvard Science Center\, 1 Oxford Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138
CATEGORIES:Ding Shum Lecture,Event,Public Lecture,Special Lectures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/Ding-Shum-2026_hall-d.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T084500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T101500
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260127T153158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T161125Z
UID:10003881-1773132300-1773137700@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture: Martin Bridson: Profinite rigidity: Chasing finite shadows of infinite groups
DESCRIPTION:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture \n \nDate: March 10\, 2026 \nTime: 8:45 – 10:15 am ET \nLocation: Harvard Science Center Hall A\, 1 Oxford Street\, Cambridge MA &  via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Martin Bridson FRS is the Whitehead Professor of Pure Mathematics at Oxford and President of the Clay Mathematics Institute. \nTitle: Profinite rigidity: Chasing finite shadows of infinite groups \nAbstract: There are many situations in geometry or elsewhere in mathematics where it is natural or convenient to explore infinite groups of symmetries via their actions on finite objects. But how hard is it to find these finite manifestations and to what extent does the collection of all such actions determine the infinite group?\nIn this talk\, I will sketch some of the rich history of such problems and then describe some of the significant advances in recent years. \nWe’ll pay particular attention to groups that arise in 3-dimensional geometry and topology. \n  \n\nBeginning in Spring 2020\, the CMSA began hosting a lecture series on literature in the mathematical sciences\, with a focus on significant developments in mathematics that have influenced the discipline\, and the lifetime accomplishments of significant scholars. \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/mathscilit2026_mb/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:Math Science Literature Lecture Series,Public Lecture,Special Lectures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/Mathlit_Bridson-poster.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T180000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20250409T160708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T161233Z
UID:10003724-1773248400-1773252000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Millennium Prize Problems Lecture - Javier Gómez-Serrano: Navier-Stokes Existence or Breakdown
DESCRIPTION:Date: March 11\, 2026 \nTime: 5:00–6:00 pm \nLocation: Harvard Science Center Hall C\, 1 Oxford St.\, Cambridge MA & via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Javier Gómez-Serrano\, Brown University \nTitle: Navier-Stokes Existence or Breakdown \nAbstract: The Navier-Stokes equations have been the cornerstone of fluid dynamics for over a century\, accurately describing the motion of viscous fluids such as water and air. However\, despite their fundamental importance to mathematics and physics\, a profound question remains unanswered: do solutions to these equations always exist for all time\, or can they break down and develop singularities (points where the equations lose their validity)? In this Millennium Prize Problems Lecture\, I will explore the current mathematical landscape surrounding the Navier-Stokes and related equations. The talk will discuss the historical context\, the ongoing search for global regularity versus finite-time blowup\, and the latest analytical and computational breakthroughs pushing the boundaries of what we know about fluid behavior. \nRead more about the Navier-Stokes Equation at the Clay Math website. \n  \nOrganizers: Martin Bridson\, Clay Mathematics Institute | Dan Freed\, Harvard University and CMSA | Mike Hopkins\, Harvard University \n\n                   \n\nMillennium Prize Problems Lecture Series
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/clay_31126/
LOCATION:Harvard Science Center\, 1 Oxford Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138
CATEGORIES:Millennium Prize Problems Lecture,Special Lectures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/Gomez-Serrano_web-ad3_crop.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260416T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20250502T183823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T163805Z
UID:10003751-1776240000-1776358800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Swampland and our Universe
DESCRIPTION:Swampland and our Universe \nDates: April 15–16\, 2026 \nLocation: Harvard CMSA\, Room G10\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge MA \nThe swampland program has inspired a range of new ideas in both cosmology and neutrino physics. This workshop brings together experts in neutrino physics\, dark energy\, dark matter\, early-universe cosmology\, and string theory to share insights on these developments and to discuss current and future experimental tests. \nSpeakers \n\nIgnatios Antoniadis\, IAS\, Princeton\nAlek Bedroya\, Princeton\nMike Boylan-Kolchin\, UT Austin\nM.C. Gonzalez-Garcia\, YITP Stony Brook & ICREA U. Barcelona\nMustapha Ishak-Boushaki\, UT Dallas\nMarc Kamionkowski\, Johns Hopkins\nMiguel Montero\, Institute of Theoretical Physics\, Madrid\nGeorges Obied\, U Chicago\nMatt Reece\, Harvard\nTracy Slatyer\, MIT\n\nOrganizers: Luis Anchordoqui (CUNY Lehman College)\, Sonia Paban (Harvard Physics)\, and  Cumrun Vafa (Harvard Physics) \n  \n \n  \n  \nVideos are available on the CMSA Youtube Swampland Playlist \nSchedule\n(download pdf) \nWednesday\, Apr. 15\, 2026 \n8:00–9:00 am\nBreakfast \n9:00–10:00 am\nMarc Kamionkowski\, Johns Hopkins: Dark-matter dynamics and new physics \nAbstract: Galactic halos that are spherical\, stationary\, and composed of collisionless dark matter are easy to describe mathematically. If dark matter decays or interacts or there is some departure from equilibrium or time evolution of the system\, all bets are off. In this case costly N-body simulations are required. If\, however\, one retains the assumption of spherical symmetry\, these systems can be evolved numerically with a far simpler algorithm that is easily coded run in a matter of minutes on a laptop\, rather than a day on a supercomputer. I will describe this approach and illustrate with simulations of self-interacting dark matter\, decaying dark matter (with and without anisotropic velocity distributions\, supermassive-black-hole growth\, tidal stripping\, mixed SIDM/CDM models. Come prepared with your own non-standard dark-matter model; we’ll see if we can simulate it during the talk! \n10:00–10:30 am\nCoffee Break \n10:30–11:30 am\nTracy Slatyer\, MIT: What (more) the CMB can teach us about dark matter \nAbstract: Observations of the cosmic microwave background have already provided critical evidence for dark matter\, but can also stringently constrain a range of dark matter properties. I will outline CMB constraints on dark matter properties based on purely gravitational effects\, and then discuss in more detail how both CMB anisotropies and the blackbody spectrum can be used to test dark matter interactions with the Standard Model. \n11:30 am–1:00 pm\nLunch Break (catered) \n1:00–2:00 pm\nAlek Bedroya\, Princeton: How Quantum Gravity Constrains Physics on the Largest Length Scales \nAbstract: I will review the hierarchy of energy scales in quantum gravity\, from the Hubble scale in the IR to the quantum-gravity cutoff and the Planck scale in the UV\, and emphasize the nontrivial UV/IR relations that connect them. I will discuss conjectures constraining scalar potentials and explain how they are related to the behavior of the other energy scales\, together with bottom-up arguments based on general principles of quantum gravity such as holography. In particular\, I will explain how well-motivated holographic assumptions lead to strong restrictions on scalar potentials\, ruling out parametrically prolonged accelerated expansion for positive potentials and obstructing parametric scale separation for negative potentials associated with AdS vacua. Title:
How Quantum Gravity Constrains Physics on the Largest Length Scales\nAbstract:
I will review the hierarchy of energy scales in quantum gravity\, from the Hubble scale in the IR to the quantum-gravity cutoff and the Planck scale in the UV\, and emphasize the nontrivial UV/IR relations that connect them. I will discuss conjectures constraining scalar potentials and explain how they are related to the behavior of the other energy scales\, together with bottom-up arguments based on general principles of quantum gravity such as holography. In particular\, I will explain how well-motivated holographic assumptions lead to strong restrictions on scalar potentials\, ruling out parametrically prolonged accelerated expansion for positive potentials and obstructing parametric scale separation for negative potentials associated with AdS vacua. \n2:00–2:30 pm\nCoffee Break \n2:30–3:30 pm\nMustapha Ishak-Boushaki\, UT Dallas: Persistent and serious challenge to the ΛCDM throne: Evidence for dynamical dark energy rising from combinations of different types of datasets \nAbstract: We derive multiple constraints on dark energy and compare dynamical dark energy models with a time-varying equation of state (w0waCDM) versus a cosmological constant model (LCDM). We use Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) from DESI and DES\, Cosmic Microwave Background from Planck with and without lensing from Planck and ACT (noted CMBL and CMB\, respectively)\, supernovae(SN)\, and cross-correlations between galaxy positions and galaxy lensing from DES. We use pairs or triplets of datasets where we exclude one type of dataset each time and categorize them as “NO SN”\, “NO CMB” and “NO BAO” combinations. In all cases\, we find that the combinations favor the w0waCDM model over LCDM\, with significance ranging from 2.0 to 3.0-sigma. The persistence of this pattern across various dataset combinations even when any of the datasets is excluded supports an overall validation of this trending result regardless of any specific dataset. Next\, we use larger combinations of these datasets after verifying their mutual consistency within the w0waCDM model. We find combinations that give robust significance levels\, with DESI+DESY6BAO+CMBL+SN giving 3.4-sigma. In sum\, while we need to remain cautious\, the trend and pattern of these results beyond any single type of dataset and their associated systematics presents a compelling overall portrait not in favor of the LCDM and constitutes a serious challenge to the model’s reign. A few other cosmological results will be provided. \n3:30–4:00 pm\nCoffee Break \n4:00–5:00 pm\nGeorges Obied\, U Chicago: The Dark Dimension and its interplay with DESI data \nAbstract: In this talk\, I will discuss the motivation for considering an extra mesoscopic Dark Dimension of length l ~ 1 – 10 microns\, taking into account theoretical and observational arguments. I will then talk about cosmological aspects of the Dark Dimension. In particular this scenario leads\, by the universal coupling of the Standard Model sector to bulk gravitons\, to massive spin 2 KK excitations of the graviton in the Dark Dimension (the “dark gravitons”) as an unavoidable dark matter candidate. Observations allow such an extra dimension of size in the micron range. Finally\, I will discuss how this scenario can naturally accommodate features recently observed by the DESI survey such as an effective dark energy equation of state that is smaller than -1. \n   \nThursday\, Apr. 16\, 2026 \n8:00–8:30 am\nBreakfast \n8:30–9:30 am\nMC Gonzalez-Garcia\, YITP Stony Brook & ICREA U. Barcelona: Massive Neutrinos in 2026: What we know\, what we do not know (yet?)\, and what we do not understand \nAbstract: In this talk I will present an update of the current understanding (and some not understanding) of the neutrino masses and the lepton mixing and some other minimal SM extensions as derived from direct scrutiny of the results of neutrino flavour oscillation experiments\, some other laboratory probes\, and the cosmos. \n9:30–10:00 am\nCoffee Break \n10:00–11:00 am\nMiguel Montero\, IFT\, Madrid: Neutrinos and B-L symmetry in the Dark Dimension scenario \nAbstract: The Dark Dimension proposes the existe of a micrometer-sized large extra dimension\, whose size is tied to the observed small vacuum energy. I will review the scenario\, and then discuss how to embed the B-L global symmetry of the SM\, focusing on one possibility which leads to an explanation of the observed coincidence between neutrino mass scale and the  vacuum energy scale\, while leading to 3 light species of right-handed neutrinos. I will also briefly discuss potential opportunities for detection of the resulting neutrino oscillations. \n11:00–11:30 am\nCoffee Break \n11:30 am–12:30 pm\nIgnatios Antoniadis\, IAS\, Princeton: Searching for the dark dimension in neutrino experiments \nAbstract: Micron size extra dimensions offer a possibility to explain the smallness of neutrino masses if the right-handed neutrino propagates in the higher dimensional bulk. I will discuss the theoretical framework and the experimental signatures of this proposal in present and future experiments of KATRIN prototype\, aiming to measure the magnitude of neutrino masses and to search for extra sterile-type species. \n12:30–1:30 pm\nLunch Break (catered) \n1:30–2:30 pm\nMike Boylan-Kolchin\, UT Austin: Galaxies as Tracers of the Matter Density Field \nAbstract: Galaxy formation is often (rightly) thought of as involving a complex interplay of messy astrophysical processes\, but it also traces the nonlinear evolution of the matter density in the Universe. Remarkably\, it appears that properties of this nonlinear field are intimately connected to properties of the initial linear fluctuations and some basic physics of dark matter interactions. I will explore some of these connections\, with applications that include the surprisingly fast evolution of early galaxy formation as revealed by JWST and properties of the lowest-mass dark matter clumps capable of hosting galaxies in the local Universe.\n2:30–3:00 pm\nCoffee Break \n3:00–4:00 pm\nMatt Reece\, Harvard: Axions from String Theory\, and String Theory from Axions \nAbstract: String theory compactifications contain the right ingredients to produce axion fields that might solve the Strong CP problem or contribute to dark matter or dynamical dark energy in our universe. After briefly reviewing some of these ingredients\, I will frame the inverse question: suppose that an axion is discovered\, and its decay constant is measured in an experiment. Could this help us to locate ourselves in the string landscape? In particular\, I will discuss how an axion could give us clues about the fundamental string scale and the scale of supersymmetry breaking. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/swampland2026/
LOCATION:CMSA 20 Garden Street Cambridge\, Massachusetts 02138 United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/swampland_2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T180000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20250409T160808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T155210Z
UID:10003725-1776272400-1776276000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Millennium Prize Problems Lecture - Peter Sarnak: Riemann Hypothesis
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nDate: April 15\, 2026 \nTime: 5:00–6:00 pm \nLocation: Harvard Science Center Hall C\, 1 Oxford St.\, Cambridge MA \nSpeaker: Peter Sarnak\, Institute for Advanced Study \nTitle: The Riemann Hypothesis \nAbstract: After reviewing the hypothesis as put forth by Riemann we discuss its generalizations and analogues. We highlight a few of their implications and workarounds\, and probing their truths. \nRead more about the Riemann Hypothesis at the Clay Math website. \nOrganizers: Martin Bridson\, Clay Mathematics Institute | Dan Freed\, Harvard University and CMSA | Mike Hopkins\, Harvard University \n  \n\n                   \n\nMillennium Prize Problems Lecture Series
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/clay_41526/
LOCATION:Harvard Science Center\, 1 Oxford Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138
CATEGORIES:Millennium Prize Problems Lecture,Special Lectures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/Sarnak_web-ad.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T103000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260130T191058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T205709Z
UID:10003887-1776848400-1776853800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture: Nicolai Reshetikhin (Tsinghua): Asymptotic representation theory
DESCRIPTION:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture \nDate: April 22\, 2026 \nTime: 9:00 – 10:30 am ET \nLocation: via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Nicolai Reshetikhin\, Yau Mathematical Sciences Center\, Tsinghua University \nTitle: Asymptotic representation theory \nAbstract: Loosely speaking asymptotic representation theory studies representations of “large” groups or algebras. One of the first results in this direction is the study of Plancherel measures on the symmetric group $S_N$ in the limit $N\to \infty$ by Vershik and Kerov and Logan and Shepp. The first part of the talk will be an overview of results on statistics of irreducible representations in large tensor products. Then we focus on more modern results on statistics of tilting and projective modules in large tensor products and on how some problems in asymptotic representation theory are related to dimer models in statistical mechanics. \n\nBeginning in Spring 2020\, the CMSA began hosting a lecture series on literature in the mathematical sciences\, with a focus on significant developments in mathematics that have influenced the discipline\, and the lifetime accomplishments of significant scholars. \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/mathscilit2026_nr/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Math Science Literature Lecture Series,Public Lecture,Special Lectures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/Mathlit_Reshetikhin.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260423T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260423T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20251006T173927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T155101Z
UID:10003806-1776960000-1776963600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Sixth Annual Yip Lecture | Regina Barzilay\, MIT: Can machine learning methods design drugs?
DESCRIPTION:Sixth Annual Yip Lecture \nDate: April 23\, 2026 \nTime: 4:00–5:00 pm ET \nLocation: Harvard Science Center Hall A & via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Regina Barzilay\, MIT \nTitle: Can ML methods design drugs? \nAbstract: Today\, life sciences are driven by prohibitively expensive wet lab experimentations\, which limit the pace and scope of discovery. This talk focuses on AI algorithms that enable in-silico modeling of biological processes. Specifically\, I will focus on algorithms for molecular and cellular modeling. I will highlight several successful examples where these algorithms have already transformed drug discovery. In the second part of the talk\, I want to focus on problems where current methods fail to deliver as expected\, motivating the need for algorithmic innovations. \nIn-person registration \nWebinar registration \n  \nRegina Barzilay is a School of Engineering Distinguished Professor for AI and Health in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT. Since 2018\, she has been the AI faculty lead for the MIT Jameel Clinic and a member of MIT CSAIL. \nShe is a member of three national academies\, including the National Academy of Engineering\, the National Academy of Medicine\, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. \nShe is also a recipient of various awards\, including a 2017 MacArthur fellowship “Genius Grant.” In 2020\, she was awarded the Squirrel AI Award for Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity. More recently\, she has been recognized in the 2025 TIME100 AI List and awarded with the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal for her development of innovative machine learning algorithms that have significantly advanced human language technology and transformed medical diagnostics and drug discovery. \nShe completed her PhD in Computer Science from Columbia University\, and spent a year as a postdoc at Cornell University. Barzilay received her undergraduate degree from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev\, Israel. \nThe Yip Lecture takes place thanks to the support of Dr. Shing-Yiu Yip. \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/yip-2026/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:Public Lecture,Special Lectures,Yip Lecture Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/yip_2026_final.2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260518T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20250623T220157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T153035Z
UID:10003754-1779094800-1779469200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Workshop on Calabi-Yau metrics and optimal transport
DESCRIPTION:Workshop on Calabi-Yau metrics and optimal transport \nDates: May 18–22\, 2026 \nLocation: Harvard CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge MA \nRecent advances in the study of Calabi-Yau metrics have revealed an interesting connection with optimal transport\, and the regularity theory for optimal transport is expected to play an increasingly important role in the study of Kähler geometry. The goal of this workshop is to bring together the optimal transport and complex geometry communities to investigate problems arising from these exciting developments. \nLimited support may be available for approved postdocs and early career applicants. The application form can be found at: https://forms.gle/1zxTEKhZyz4TPfSY6 \n  \nRegister to attend in-person \nRegister for Zoom Webinar \n  \nMinicourse Speakers \n\nRobert McCann\, University of Toronto\nYang Li\, Cambridge University\n\nWorkshop Speakers \n\nRolf Andreasson\, Chalmers University\, Sweden\nBenjy Firester\, MIT\nJakob Hultgren\, Umea University\, Sweden\nYoung-Heon Kim\, University of British Columbia\nNam Le\, Indiana University\nJiakun Liu\, University of Sydney\nDuong H. Phong\, Columbia University\nArghya Rakshit\, University of Toronto\nGabor Szekelyhidi\, Northwestern University\nYueqiao Wu\, Johns Hopkins University\n\nOrganizers: \n\nTristan Collins\, University of Toronto\nMattias Jonsson\, University of Michigan\nConnor Mooney\, University of California\, Irvine\nFreid Tong\, University of Toronto\n\n  \n  \nSchedule (subject to change) \nMonday\, May 18\, 2026 \n9:00–9:30 am\nBreakfast \n9:30–10:45 am\nTutorial: Yang Li\, Cambridge University (via Zoom Webinar) \n10:45–11:15 am\nBreak \n11:15 am–12:30 pm\nTutorial: Robert McCann\, University of Toronto\nTitle: A geometric approach to apriori estimates for optimal transport maps\nAbstract: A key inequality which underpins the regularity theory of optimal transport for costs satisfying the Ma-Trudinger-Wang condition is the Pogorelov second derivative bound. This translates to an a priori interior modulus of the differential estimate for smooth optimal maps. We describe a new derivation of this estimate with Brendle\, Leger and Rankin which relies in part on Kim\, McCann\, and Warren’s observation that the graph of an optimal map becomes a volume maximizing non-timelike submanifold when the product of the source and target domains is endowed with a suitable pseudo-Riemannian geometry that combines both the marginal densities and the cost. This unexpected links optimal transport to the plateau problem in geometry with split signature\, and shows the key difficulty is showing the maximizing non-timelike submanifold is in fact (uniformly) spacelike. J. Reine Angew. Math. 817 (2024) 251-266 doi.org/10.1515/crelle-2024-0071 arXiv 2311.10208 \n12:30–2:00 pm\nLunch (catered) \n2:00–3:15 pm\nTalk: Nam Le\, Indiana University\nTitle: Variational approach to degenerate Monge-Ampère equations with mixed measures and monotonicity\nAbstract: In this talk\, we will discuss the solvability and uniqueness for several degenerate Monge-Ampère equations including the Monge-Ampère eigenvalue problem in real Euclidean spaces that involve singular Borel measures. Our approach systematically analyzes the Monge-Ampère energy from the variational point of view and appropriately exploits monotonicity arguments. We will examine several essential tools: the mixed Monge-Ampère measure\, Aleksandrov-Blocki-Jerison type maximum principles\, convex envelope\, comparison principles for subcritical equations\, and integration by parts whose failure leads to symmetry breaking and nonuniqueness phenomena. \n3:15–3:45 pm\nBreak \n3:45–5:00 pm\nTalk: Yueqiao Wu\, Johns Hopkins University \n  \nTuesday\, May 19\, 2026 \n9:00–9:30 am\nBreakfast \n9:30–10:45 am\nTutorial: Robert McCann\, University of Toronto\nTitle: Trading linearity for ellipticity: A low regularity Lorentzian splitting theorem\nAbstract: While Einstein’s theory of gravity is formulated in a smooth setting\, the celebrated singularity theorems of Hawking and Penrose describe many physical situations in which this smoothness must eventually breakdown. It is thus of great interest to study the theory in low regularity settings. In the lecture\, we establish a low regularity splitting theorem by sacrificing linearity of the d’Alembertian to recover ellipticity. We exploit a negative homogeneity $p$-d’Alembert operator for this purpose. The same technique yields a simplified proof of Eschenberg (1988) Galloway (1989) and Newman’s (1990) confirmation of Yau’s (1982) conjecture\, bringing all three Lorentzian splitting results into a framework closer to the Cheeger-Gromoll splitting theorem from Riemannian geometry. Based on joint work with Mathias Braun\, Nicola Gigli\, Argam Ohanyan\, and Clemens Saemann: 1) arXiv 2501.00702 2) arXiv 2408.15968 3) arXiv 2410.12632 4) arXiv 2507.06836 \n10:45–11:15 am\nBreak \n11:15 am–12:30 pm\nTutorial: Yang Li\, Cambridge University (via Zoom Webinar) \n12:30–2:00 pm\nLunch Break \n2:00–3:15 pm\nTalk: Young-Heon Kim\, University of British Columbia \n3:15–3:45 pm\nBreak \n3:45–5:00 pm\nTalk: Duong Phong\, Columbia University \n6:30 pm\nDinner \n  \nWednesday\, May 20\, 2026 \n9:00–9:30 am\nBreakfast \n9:30–10:45 am\nTutorial: Yang Li\, Cambridge University (via Zoom Webinar) \n10:45–11:15 am\nBreak \n11:15 am–12:30 pm\nTutorial: Robert McCann\, University of Toronto\nTitle: The monopolist’s free boundary problem in the plane: an excursion into the economic value of private information\nAbstract: The principal-agent problem is an important paradigm in economic theory for studying the value of private information: the nonlinear pricing problem faced by a monopolist is one example; others include optimal taxation and auction design. For multidimensional spaces of consumers (i.e. agents) and products\, Rochet and Chone (1998) reformulated this problem as a concave maximization over the set of convex functions\, by assuming agent preferences are bilinear in the product and agent parameters. This optimization corresponds mathematically to a convexity-constrained obstacle problem. The solution is divided into multiple regions\, according to the rank of the Hessian of the optimizer.\nIf the monopolists costs grow quadratically with the product type we show that a partially smooth free boundary delineates the region where it becomes efficient to customize products for individual buyers. We give the first complete solution of the problem on square domains\, and discover new transitions from unbunched to targeted and from targeted to blunt bunching as market conditions become more and more favorable to the seller.\nBased on works with Kelvin Shuangjian Zhang\, Cale Rankin\, and Lucas O’Brien in various combinations:\n1) Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 34 (2024) 2351-2394; 2) J. Convex Anal. (Rockafellar 90 Issue)\, 32 (2) (2025) 579-584; 3) arXiv 2303.04937; 4) arxiv 2412.15505; 5) arXiv 2603.14100. \n  \nThursday\, May 21\, 2026 \n9:00–9:30 am\nBreakfast \n9:30–10:45 am\nTalk: Gabor Szekelyhidi\, Northwestern University \n10:45–11:15 am\nBreak \n11:15 am–12:30 pm\nTalk: Rolf Andreasson\, Chalmers University\, Sweden\nTitle: Optimal transport between boundaries of dual reflexive polytope\nAbstract: I will present an optimal transport problem between the boundaries of a pair of reflexive polytopes. Under a certain structural condition on its solution\, this problem is related the study of metric degenerations of families of Calabi–Yau hypersurfaces in the corresponding toric Fano variety. A better understanding of such solutions and their regularity would shed light on several aspects of the degeneration and conjectural Gromov–Hausdorff limit\, and I will present some open directions of research. This is based on joint work with Jakob Hultgren\, Mattias Jonsson\, Enrica Mazzon and Nicholas McCleerey. \n12:30–2:00 pm\nLunch Break \n2:00–3:15 pm\nTalk: Jakob Hultgren\, Umea University\, Sweden \n3:15–3:45 pm\nBreak \n3:45–5:00 pm\nTalk: Benjy Firester\, MIT \n  \nFriday\, May 22\, 2026 \n9:00–9:30 am\nBreakfast \n9:30–10:45 am\nTalk: Jiakun Liu\, University of Sydney\nTitle: Free boundary problems in optimal transportation\nAbstract: In this talk\, I will present some recent results on the regularity of free boundaries in optimal transportation\, including higher-order regularity\, global regularity\, and a model case involving multiple targets. These results are based on a series of joint works with Shibing Chen\, Xianduo Wang\, and Xu-Jia Wang. \n10:45–11:15 am\nBreak \n11:15 am–12:30 pm\nTalk: Arghya Rakshit\, University of Toronto\nTitle: Solutions to the Monge–Ampère equation with singular structures\nAbstract: We construct examples of solutions to the Monge–Ampère equation with point masses exhibiting polyhedral singular structures. We further analyze the stability of these singular sets under small perturbations of the data. In addition\, we construct solutions whose Monge–Ampère measure contains a singular component supported on lower-dimensional sets and we study the regularity of such solutions. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/cymetrics/
LOCATION:CMSA 20 Garden Street Cambridge\, Massachusetts 02138 United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CY-Workshop_2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260217T174509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T174509Z
UID:10003846-1788426000-1788541200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Big Data Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:Big Data Conference 2026 \nDates: Sep. 3–4\, 2026 \nLocation: Harvard University CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge & via Zoom \nThe Big Data Conference features speakers from the Harvard community as well as scholars from across the globe\, with talks focusing on computer science\, statistics\, math and physics\, and economics. \nDetails TBA \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/bigdata_2026/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Big Data Conference,Conference,Event
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260911T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260217T174544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T174544Z
UID:10003847-1788858000-1789146000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:The Geometry of Machine Learning 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Geometry of Machine Learning 2026 \nDates: September 8–11\, 2026 \nLocation: Harvard CMSA\, Room G10\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge MA 02138 \nOrganizers: Michael R. Douglas (CMSA) and Mike Freedman (CMSA) \n  \nDetails TBA \n  \nSupport provided by Logical Intelligence. \n \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/gml_2026/
LOCATION:CMSA 20 Garden Street Cambridge\, Massachusetts 02138 United States
CATEGORIES:Conference,Event
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T103000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260422T170335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T170806Z
UID:10003938-1789549200-1789554600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture: Robert Gompf
DESCRIPTION:CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture \nDate: September 16\, 2026 \nTime: 9:00 – 10:30 am ET \nLocation: CMSA G10\, 20 Garden Street & via Zoom Webinar \nSpeaker: Robert E. Gompf\, University of Texas\, Austin \n  \n\nBeginning in Spring 2020\, the CMSA began hosting a lecture series on literature in the mathematical sciences\, with a focus on significant developments in mathematics that have influenced the discipline\, and the lifetime accomplishments of significant scholars. \n  \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/mathscilit2026_rg/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Math Science Literature Lecture Series,Public Lecture,Special Lectures
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260928T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261002T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20251027T191925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T192243Z
UID:10003827-1790582400-1790960400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Workshop on Lagrangian Floer theory and applications
DESCRIPTION:Workshop on Lagrangian Floer theory and applications \nDates: September 28 – October 2\, 2026 \nLocation: CMSA G10\, 20 Garden St.\, Cambridge MA 02138 \nThis  workshop is part of the Lagrangian Floer theory and applications Program \n  \nOrganizers: Denis Auroux (Harvard)\, Jonny Evans (Lancaster)\, and Chris Woodward (Rutgers) \n  \ndetails tba
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/lftworkshop/
LOCATION:CMSA 20 Garden Street Cambridge\, Massachusetts 02138 United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260506T231219
CREATED:20260423T160818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T180437Z
UID:10003936-1793955600-1794070800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Northeast Conference on Categorical Methods
DESCRIPTION:Northeast Conference on Categorical Methods \n\n\n\n\nThis conference is intended to bring together researchers in all areas of mathematics and mathematical physics whose work involves the use of methods from categorical algebra\, abstract homotopy theory\, and higher category theory. Our goal is to showcase new\, exciting research and offer an avenue for researchers from the Northeast US to discuss their work and collaborate with people in this ever-growing community. \nOrganized by Dan Freed\, Harvard Math & CMSA; Owen Gwilliam\, UMass Amherst; and Lorenzo Riva\, Harvard CMSA
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/cm/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR