Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar Speaker: Saman Habibi Esfahani (CMSA) Title: Geometric structures on gauge theoretic moduli spaces Abstract: Motivated by Witten’s study of instantons on S3 x S1, we survey some classical and recent results, programs, and conjectures on geometric structures, such as symplectic and hyperkahler, on moduli spaces of instantons and monopoles on various […]
CMSA Q&A Seminar Speaker: Dan Freed, Harvard Topic: How does one navigate the job market as a postdoc in 2026?
Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar Speaker: Greg Moore, Rutgers University Title: Topics in the Relation of Four-Manifold Invariants and Supersymmetric Field Theory Abstract: We will begin with a review of topological twisting as a choice of background fields. We then review the standard paradigm for the formulation of Donaldson invariants as correlation functions in twisted supersymmetric […]
Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar Speaker: William Stewart Title: Constructing oriented TQFTs from twisted pivotal tensor categories Abstract: The cobordism hypothesis classifies n-dimensional oriented TQFTs in terms of SO(n) homotopy fixed point data. An SO(2) homotopy fixed point structure on a finite tensor category gives rise to a twisted pivotal structure (a more general notion […]
Member Seminar Speaker: Blake Bordelon, CMSA Title: Theory of Task-Adapted Dynamics in Large Recurrent Neural Networks Abstract: Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) encode expressive and flexible dynamical systems which can adapt to perform tasks by modifying the internal connections between neurons. In this work we analyze the structure of the dynamical systems encoded in RNNs after […]
Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar Speakers: Max Hübner, CMSA Title: Bi-HKT Manifolds, Sigma Models, Large N=4 and their String Constructions Abstract: We continue our review of Witten's paper "Instantons and the Large N=4 Algebra". We discuss the realization of large N=4 supersymmetry in the context of supersymmetric sigma-models, and discuss and motivate string theoretic duals […]
New Technologies in Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Courtney Paquette, McGill University Title: Scaling Stochastic Momentum from Theory to LLMs Abstract: Given the massive scale of modern ML models, we now often get only a single shot to train them effectively. This limits our ability to sweep architectures and hyperparameters, making it essential to understand how learning algorithms scale […]
Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar Speaker: Mirjam Cvetic, University of Pennsylvania Title: Higher Symmetries, Eta Invariants and Anomaly Theories Abstract: In recent years, much progress has been made in understanding the extra-dimensional origin of higher symmetry structures of many quantum field theories (QFTs) obtained via geometric engineering. Among others, our understanding of anomaly structures in QFTs has […]
Member Seminar Speaker: Saman Habibi Esfahani, CMSA Title: Gauge theory, from low dimensions to higher dimensions and back Abstract: Almost thirty years ago, Donaldson and Thomas proposed extending powerful ideas from gauge theory, which had transformed the study of three- and four-dimensional manifolds, to higher dimensions, with the goal of defining new invariants of special […]
Colloquium Speaker: L. Mahadevan, Harvard Title: Inverse problems in soft and active matter Abstract: How can one grow a face or a flower from a flat sheet? Fold a sheet into an origami pattern? Control phase separation? Transport a drop of active matter? Steer an ant swarm? I will discuss potential answers to some of […]
Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar Speaker: Sanjay Raman, Harvard Title: Solitonic Symmetry: Cohomology with TFT Coefficients Abstract: We review the formalism of https://arxiv.org/pdf/2307.00939, which develops the theory of solitonic symmetry in quantum field theory. The algebraic structure of solitonic symmetry is determined by the fusion of topological functionals in a given path-integral formulation of topological field theory, and […]
https://youtu.be/gXiVVZypHJg 2026 Ding Shum Lecture Date: March 4, 2026 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Harvard Science Center Hall D & via Zoom Webinar Speaker: Sanjeev Arora, Princeton Title: How could a Superhuman AI mathematician come about? Abstract: Can AI systems exceed the capabilities of the human experts who provided their training data? The talk will examine […]