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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260212T190403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T160741Z
UID:10003906-1776427200-1776430800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Higgs and Coulomb branches: Geometry and Representation Theory
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Vasily Krylov \nTitle: Higgs and Coulomb branches: Geometry and Representation Theory \nAbstract: Higgs and Coulomb branches of quiver gauge theories form two important families of Poisson varieties that are expected to be exchanged under so-called 3D mirror symmetry. Quantized Coulomb branches are associative algebras deforming the algebras of functions on Coulomb branches. They are closely related to many important representation-theoretic structures\, such as Yangians\, quantum groups\, and Hecke algebras. In this talk\, I will discuss how 3D mirror symmetry\, together with other insights motivated by physics\, yields very explicit answers to purely representation-theoretic questions about representations of some of these quantum groups. Talk is based on joint works with Dinkins\, Karpov\, Klyuev\, and Lance.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-41726/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-4.17.26.docx.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260410T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260410T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260212T190254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T200409Z
UID:10003905-1775822400-1775826000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Quantum topology from dynamics
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Sunghyuk Park\, CMSA \nTitle: Quantum topology from dynamics \nAbstract: Dynamics studies the long-term behavior of systems that evolve over time\, such as the famous Lorenz system.\nQuantum topology\, by contrast\, studies knots and low-dimensional manifolds through invariants that are usually constructed using representation-theoretic tools. In this talk\, I will explain how quantum invariants of knots and 3-manifolds can be recovered from the dynamics of certain three-dimensional flows. Time permitting\, I will also explain how this new bridge arises from ideas in topological string theory. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-41026/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-4.10.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T170000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260310T170229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T192334Z
UID:10003917-1775750400-1775754000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Multiplicities of graded families of ideals on Noetherian local rings
DESCRIPTION:Algebra Seminar \nSpeaker: Dale Cutkosky\, University of Missouri \nTitle: Multiplicities of graded families of ideals on Noetherian local rings \nAbstract: Let $R$ be an arbitrary $d$-dimensional Noetherian local ring with maximal ideal $m_R$. In this talk\, we give a generalization of the multiplicity $e(I)$ of an $m_R$-primary ideal $I$ of $R$ to a multiplicity $e(\mathcal I)$ of a graded family of $m_R$-primary ideals $\mathcal I$ in $R$. This multiplicity gives the classical multiplicity $e(I)$ if $\mathcal I=\{I^n\}$ is the $I$-adic filtration\, and agrees with the volume\, $\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}d!\frac{\ell(R/I_n) }{n^d}$ for $R$ such that $\dim N(\hat R)>d$\, the required condition for the volume of graded families of $m_R$-primary ideals to exist as a limit. We will show that many of the classical theorems for the multiplicity of an ideal generalize to this multiplicity\, including mixed multiplicities\, the Rees theorem and the Minkowski inequality and equality. We give proofs which are independent of the theory of volumes and Okounkov bodies for all of our results\, with the one exception being the proof of the Minkowski equality. We do this by interpreting the multiplicity of graded families of $m_R$-primary ideals as an intersection product on the family of $R$-schemes which are obtained by blowing up $m_R$-primary ideals in $R$. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/algebra-seminar_4926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Algebra Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Algebra-Seminar-4.9.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T173000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T190645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T152156Z
UID:10003851-1775493000-1775496600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Facets of link homology
DESCRIPTION:Colloquium \nSpeaker: Mikhail Khovanov\, Johns Hopkins University \nTitle: Facets of link homology \nAbstract: We will review some link homology theories of algebraic origin and their connections to representation theory and geometry.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/colloquium-22326/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Colloquium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Colloquium-4.6.2026.docx.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T160000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260224T161017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T201808Z
UID:10003912-1775487600-1775491200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Twistorial constructions of higher genus integrability
DESCRIPTION:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Seraphim Jarov\, Perimeter Institute \nTitle: Twistorial constructions of higher genus integrability \nAbstract: I will present a new method to engineer integrable models in 4d with higher genus spectral parameters. The method has a twistorial origin – by working on a branched covering of twistor space\, I show how one can derive deformations of holomorphic BF theory on twistor space which descend to elliptic and hyperelliptic models on R^4 via the Penrose transform. I show how one can bootstrap the Penrose transformed actions using symmetry and integrability to find deformations of self-dual Yang-Mills theory. I will also discuss some novel deformations of a BF type description of Hitchin’s equations. This is based on my paper: 2509.12486
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/qft_4626/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-QFT-and-Physical-Mathematics-4.6.26.docx.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260403T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260403T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260212T190229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T190743Z
UID:10003904-1775217600-1775221200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Failures of Holographic Emergence
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Elliott Gesteau\, CMSA \nTitle: Failures of Holographic Emergence \nAbstract: Recent developments have taught us that some semiclassical spacetimes\, in particular those containing closed universe components\, cannot emerge from a holographic correspondence. In this talk\, I will explain how one can get to this conclusion by using either quantum information theory or properties of the large N limit of AdS/CFT\, and propose a criterion for detecting failures of spacetime emergence. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-4326/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-4.3.26.docx.1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T160000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260126T190411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T163011Z
UID:10003879-1774882800-1774886400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:K-theoretic stable envelopes\, quantum loop groups and wall-crossings
DESCRIPTION:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Tianqin Zhu\, Columbia University \nTitle: K-theoretic stable envelopes\, quantum loop groups and wall-crossings \nAbstract: The stable envelope is an important tool in both geometric representation theory and the enumerative geometry. One of the most important application is that it generates the geometric quantum loop group via the FRT formalism. In this talk\, we will show that the geometric quantum loop group is isomorphic to the Drinfeld double given by the preprojective K-theoretic Hall algebra and the nilpotent K-theoretic Hall algebra. Moreover we will show a more refined result that the wall-crossing for the K-theoretic stable envelope is controlled by the universal R-matrix for the slope subalgebra of the Drinfeld double\, which leads to the isomorphism between the wall subalgebra in geometric quantum loop groups and the slope subalgebras in the Drinfeld double. If time permits\, I will talk about the recent progress of such isomorphism in the case of the critcial stable envelopes in both critical K-theory and critical cohomology. This is based on the work 2511.02161 \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/qft_33026/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-QFT-and-Physical-Mathematics-3.30.26.docx.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T170000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260127T192705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T192236Z
UID:10003883-1774540800-1774544400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:The Beilinson-Bloch conjecture for some non-isotrivial varieties over global function fields
DESCRIPTION:Algebra Seminar \nSpeaker: Matt Broe\, Boston University \nTitle: The Beilinson-Bloch conjecture for some non-isotrivial varieties over global function fields \nAbstract: The Beilinson-Bloch conjecture is a generalization of the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture\, which relates the ranks of Chow groups of smooth projective varieties over global fields to the order of vanishing of L-functions. We prove the conjecture for certain classes of non-isotrivial varieties over Fq(t)\, including some cubic threefolds and fivefolds. We deduce the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture for their intermediate Jacobians\, and use it to establish new cases of the Tate conjecture over finite fields. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/algebra-seminar_32626/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Algebra Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Algebra-Seminar_3.26.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260323T144545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T172207Z
UID:10003921-1774531800-1774535400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Gauge theory on Hyperkähler manifolds
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker. Emily Autumn Windes (New Uzbekistan University) \nTitle: Gauge theory on Hyperkähler manifolds \nAbstract: In this talk\, I describe various distinguished classes of connections on Hyperkähler manifolds and their dimensional reductions. Then\, I describe a construction of new examples of Sp(2)-instantons\, primitive HYM connections\, and Spin(7)-instantons with symmetry on the manifold T*CP2. This talk is based on joint work with Jesse Madnick and Izar Alonso.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys_32627/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-3.26.26.docx-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T170000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260127T192620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T190851Z
UID:10003882-1773936000-1773939600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Moduli of subcanonical points
DESCRIPTION:Algebra Seminar \nSpeaker: Dawei Chen\, Boston College \nTitle: Moduli of subcanonical points \nAbstract: Subcanonical points are special Weierstrass points on smooth algebraic curves whose semigroups are symmetric. In this talk\, I will explain the rich geometry of the moduli space of subcanonical points\, with a focus on its connected components\, birational geometry\, topology\, and the deformation theory of related monomial singularities.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/algebra-seminar_31926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Algebra Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Algebra-Seminar-3.19.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T160000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260224T160950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T180714Z
UID:10003911-1773673200-1773676800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Finite N indices from branes and negative branes
DESCRIPTION:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Kasia Budzik (Harvard University) \nTitle: Finite N indices from branes and negative branes \nAbstract: Finite-N effects in large-N gauge theories\, such as trace relations\, are expected to be holographically dual to non-perturbative phenomena in string theory\, such as Giant Graviton branes. A convenient setting to study these effects are supersymmetric indices of U(N) gauge theories. The finite-N indices can be reproduced by a series of corrections to the infinite-N result\, known as the Giant Graviton expansion.\nIn this talk I will present a generalization of the Molien-Weyl formula computing generating functions of invariants of supergroups U(N|M)\, which arise as gauge groups of brane/negative brane systems in string theory. The formula leads to a new expansion relating finite-N and infinite-N indices of U(N) gauge theories. I will comment on its relation to Murthy’s Giant Graviton expansion and suggest a physical interpretation in terms of branes and negative branes. This talk is based on arXiv:2509.20451 and work in progress with Davide Gaiotto.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/qft_31626/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-QFT-and-Physical-Mathematics-3.16.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260309T143543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T161222Z
UID:10003915-1773322200-1773325800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Strongly adapted contact geometry of Anosov 3-flows
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Surena Hozoori (Brandeis) \nTitle: Strongly adapted contact geometry of Anosov 3-flows \nAbstract: We will discuss some recent developments in the contact geometric theory of Anosov 3-flows\, whose roots go back to the works of Mitsumatsu and Eliashberg-Thurston in the mid 1990s. In particular\, we provide a contact geometric characterization of Anosov 3-flows based on interactions with Reeb dynamics\, as well as investigate the basic properties of the resulting geometries. Time permitting\, we will discuss how these results allow one to re-approach some classical questions in Anosov dynamics.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys_31226/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-3.12.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260302T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260302T173000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260206T191834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T141143Z
UID:10003890-1772469000-1772472600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Inverse problems in soft and active matter
DESCRIPTION:Colloquium \nSpeaker: L. Mahadevan\, Harvard \nTitle: Inverse problems in soft and active matter \nAbstract: 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 these inverse problems that unites ideas from optimal control and optimal transport for the steering of particles and fields.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/colloquium-3226/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Colloquium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Colloquium-3.2.2026.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T204714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T194128Z
UID:10003867-1772193600-1772197200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Gauge theory\, from low dimensions to higher dimensions and back
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Saman Habibi Esfahani\, CMSA \nTitle: Gauge theory\, from low dimensions to higher dimensions and back \nAbstract: 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 holonomy manifolds. In this talk\, I will outline the main ideas behind this program\, mention some recent progress\, and describe the key obstacles that remain\, most notably non-compactness phenomena that make the analysis difficult.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-22726/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-2.27.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260122T151917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T171301Z
UID:10003876-1772112600-1772116200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Higher Symmetries\, Eta Invariants and Anomaly Theories 
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Mirjam Cvetic\, University of Pennsylvania \nTitle: Higher Symmetries\, Eta Invariants and Anomaly Theories \nAbstract: 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 been significantly improved. Key in these considerations is the asymptotic boundary of the internal dimensions which geometrizes many topological QFT features. Within this context we present explicit results for anomaly coefficients in five-dimensional supersymmetric QFTs that are engineered in M-theory on Calabi-Yau three-folds\, and show that eta-invariants of the asymptotic boundary of the engineered geometry are key to determine 1-form self-anomaly coefficients. The results both for orbifolds with isolated and non-isolated orbifold singularities are presented. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys_22626/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-2.26.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T150000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260210T192336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T194238Z
UID:10003894-1772028000-1772031600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Scaling Stochastic Momentum from Theory to LLMs
DESCRIPTION:New Technologies in Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Courtney Paquette\, McGill University \nTitle: Scaling Stochastic Momentum from Theory to LLMs \nAbstract: 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 so insights from small models transfer to large ones. \nIn this talk\, I present a framework for analyzing scaling laws of stochastic momentum methods using a power-law random features model\, leveraging tools from high-dimensional probability and random matrix theory. We show that standard SGD with momentum does not improve scaling exponents\, while dimension-adapted Nesterov acceleration (DANA)—which explicitly adapts momentum to model size and data/target complexity—achieves strictly better loss and compute scaling. DANA does this by rescaling its momentum parameters with dimension\, effectively matching the optimizer’s memory to the problem geometry. \nMotivated by these theoretical insights\, I introduce logarithmic-time scheduling for large language models and propose ADANA\, an AdamW-like optimizer with growing memory and explicit damping. Across transformer scales (45M to 2.6B parameters)\, ADANA yields up to 40% compute savings over tuned AdamW\, with gains that improve at scale. \nBased on joint work with Damien Ferbach\, Elliot Paquette\, Katie Everett\, and Gauthier Gidel.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/newtech_22526/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:New Technologies in Mathematics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-NTM-Seminar-2.25.2026.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T204654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T154410Z
UID:10003866-1771588800-1771592400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Theory of Task-Adapted Dynamics in Large Recurrent Neural Networks
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Blake Bordelon\, CMSA \nTitle: Theory of Task-Adapted Dynamics in Large Recurrent Neural Networks \nAbstract: 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 being trained to perform a learning task. We derive a mean field theory of the dynamics of RNNs before and after learning. Our theory predicts heterogeneous activity and tuning of single neurons\, but precise\, deterministic predictions for population level autocorrelation and outputs of the network. Further\, our theory enables us to interpolate between different operating regimes for RNN learning including (1) reservoir computing regime where internal adaptations do not adapt to data as the model outputs fit the provided data and (2) a feature-learning where the internal dynamics of the network change significantly due to task learning and reflect temporal properties of the learning task. These different regimes exhibit different levels of chaotic activity\, oscillatory behaviors\, and length generalization properties as feature learning enables maintenance of temporal patterns over longer periods than the supervision period. We apply this theory to a biologically grounded motor learning task where a recurrent population is trained to output EMG signals from macaque motor units during an oriented reaching task. We find that many levels of feature-learning strength give rise to high quality fits of the EMG data\, resulting in a family of solutions that are compatible with the neural data. Based on work with David Clark\, Jacob Zavatone Veth\, and Cengiz Pehlevan.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-22026/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-2.20.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T163000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260209T003754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T193802Z
UID:10003891-1771515000-1771518600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Constructing oriented TQFTs from twisted pivotal tensor categories
DESCRIPTION:Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar \nSpeaker: William Stewart \nTitle: Constructing oriented TQFTs from twisted pivotal tensor categories \nAbstract: 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 than a pivotal structure). In this talk\, I will illustrate how the usual skein theory (also called string nets) of a pivotal tensor category can be generalized to the twisted pivotal setting\, yielding new 2d oriented TQFTs. This is joint work with Ben Haioun and Filippos Sytilidis.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/quantumgeo_21926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Geometry and Quantum Theory Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Geometry-Quantum-Theory-2.19.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260122T151851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T153656Z
UID:10003875-1771507800-1771511400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Topics in the Relation of Four-Manifold Invariants and Supersymmetric Field Theory
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Greg Moore\, Rutgers University \nTitle: Topics in the Relation of Four-Manifold Invariants and Supersymmetric Field Theory \nAbstract: 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 N=2 d=4 quantum field theory\, together with the quantum field theory (QFT) derivation of the relation of the Donaldson invariants to Seiberg-Witten invariants. We then consider what can be said using other twisted QFTs. We present some new results on the four-manifold invariants derived from N=2 supersymmetric QCD. We then move on to 5d theories and the “K-theoretic Donaldson invariants” and comment briefly on the 6d theories and the “elliptic Donaldson invariants.” In the unlikely event that time permits we finish with the extension to families of four-manifolds\, where the coupling to a suitably twisted and truncated superconformal gravity is expected to produce invariants valued in the cohomology of the classifying space of the diffeomorphism group of the four-manifold.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys_21926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-2.19.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260213T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260213T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T204554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T152049Z
UID:10003865-1770984000-1770987600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:A leisurely stroll through the theory of adjunctions
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Lorenzo Riva\, Harvard CMSA \nTitle: A leisurely stroll through the theory of adjunctions \nAbstract: Adjoint functors (and\, more generally\, adjunctions in a 2-category) are ubiquitous in algebra and topology. In this talk I will give an overview of the basics of adjunctions\, with the ultimate goal being understanding the statement of the cobordism hypothesis. Time permitting\, I will talk about some recent work on a combinatorial construction yielding free adjunctions. \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-21326/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-2.13.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260122T151823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T203024Z
UID:10003874-1770903000-1770906600@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Gromov-Hausdorff limits of collapsing Calabi-Yau fibrations
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Gabor Szekelyhidi\, Northwestern University \nTitle: Gromov-Hausdorff limits of collapsing Calabi-Yau fibrations \nAbstract: A well studied problem is the metric behavior of Calabi-Yau metrics on a fibration in a family of Kahler classes that collapses the fibers. I will discuss recent progress showing that the Gromov-Hausdorff limit can be identified with the base of the fibration\, generalizing results of Gross-Tosatti-Zhang\, Song-Tian-Zhang and Li-Tosatti. A new ingredient is to exploit the RCD property of the Gromov-Hausdorff limit.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys_21226/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-2.12.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T173000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T190623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T162207Z
UID:10003850-1770654600-1770658200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Phase Transition to Chaos in Complex Ecosystems with Non-reciprocal Interactions
DESCRIPTION:Colloquium \nSpeaker: Pankaj Metha\, Boston University \nTitle: Phase Transition to Chaos in Complex Ecosystems with Non-reciprocal Interactions \nAbstract: Nonreciprocal interactions between microscopic constituents can profoundly shape the large-scale properties of complex systems. In this pedagogical chalk talk\, I will discuss recent work from our group on phase transitions and chaos in high-dimensional ecosystems with non-reciprocal interactions. Our approach builds on a generalization of MacArthur’s consumer-resource model that incorporates asymmetric interactions between species and resources. I will highlight rich connections between this problem and the mathematics of disordered systems (cavity method and DMFT)\, random matrix theory\, and constrained optimization.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/colloquium-2926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Colloquium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Colloquium-2.9.2026.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T160000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T185635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T185733Z
UID:10003839-1770649200-1770652800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:On the p-curvature of quantum connections of CY threefolds
DESCRIPTION:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Shaoyun Bai (MIT) \nTitle: On the p-curvature of quantum connections of CY threefolds \nAbstract: The small quantum connection of Calabi-Yau varieties has integral coefficients\, thus admits reduction mod a prime number p. A fundamental invariant associated with flat connections over characteristic p is the p-curvature\, which lies at the heart of study of algebraic differential equations. I will explain how to identify the p-curvature of quantum connection of any compact Calabi-Yau threefold with the quantum Steenrod operation\, thereby providing a modular description of the p-curvature in this setting. I will also discuss the role of BPS invariants and the mirror symmetry context. This is based on joint work with Jae Hee Lee.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/qft_2926/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-QFT-and-Physical-Mathematics-2.9.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260206T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260206T130000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20250203T163329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T153228Z
UID:10003712-1770379200-1770382800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Lie algebra cohomology and Seiberg-Witten theory
DESCRIPTION:Member Seminar \nSpeaker: Ahsan Khan\, Harvard CMSA \nTitle: Lie algebra cohomology and Seiberg-Witten theory \nAbstract: I will discuss how a certain (relative) Lie algebra cochain complex categorifies the Schur index of N=2 supersymmetric gauge theory. For the special case of Seiberg-Witten theory I will provide a conjectured description of this cohomology.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/member-seminar-2626/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Member Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Member-Seminar-2.6.26.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T170000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T202550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T202550Z
UID:10003861-1770307200-1770310800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Algebra Seminar
DESCRIPTION:Algebra Seminar \n 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/algebra-seminar_2526/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Algebra Seminar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T144500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T154500
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260122T151728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T164823Z
UID:10003873-1770302700-1770306300@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:On E7+1/2 gauge theory
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Yinan Wang\, Peking University \nTitle: On E7+1/2 gauge theory\n\nAbstract: We propose that an exotic gauge theory based on the intermediate Lie algebra E7+1/2 naturally appears in the landscape of 6d F-theory. We give strong evidence of this proposal with 6d anomaly cancellation\, dual M-theory geometry and elliptic genus of the single-string worldsheet CFT. 
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys2526_2/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-2.5.26_2-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T143000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20260122T151622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T184418Z
UID:10003872-1770298200-1770301800@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Index from a point
DESCRIPTION:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar  \nSpeaker: Monica Jinwoo Kang\, Texas A&M University \nTitle: Index from a point \nAbstract: We argue that protected data of 4d N=2 SCFTs admits a purely algebro-geometric characterization. We conjecture that both the Macdonald index (and hence the Schur index) and the Higgs branch are encoded by a bifiltered affine scheme determined by OPE nilpotency and decoupling relations. Focusing on Argyres–Douglas theories\, where the Higgs branch is a point\, we show that this geometric construction suffices to reconstruct the full Macdonald index. This is based on recent works with Craig Lawrie and Jaewon Song.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/dgphys__2526/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Differential Geometry and Physics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/DG-Physics-Seminar-2.5.26_1-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260204T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260204T150000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20250128T214750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T163315Z
UID:10003708-1770213600-1770217200@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Automated Theory Formation and Interestingness in Mathematics
DESCRIPTION:New Technologies in Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: George Tsoukalas\, UT Austin Dept. of Computer Science and Google DeepMind. \nTitle: Automated Theory Formation and Interestingness in Mathematics \nAbstract: Advances in modern learning systems are beginning to demonstrate utility for select problems in research mathematics. A broader challenge is that of developing new theories automatically. This area has a rich history\, and is tied to some of the earliest work in AI. In particular\, a central question in this study was measuring the “interestingness” of mathematical concepts. \nIn this talk\, I will review this historical context and present our recent work on using large language models to synthesize interestingness measures that guide theory exploration in elementary number theory from scratch. I will conclude by outlining potential future research directions in this domain. \nJoint work done at UT Austin with Rahul Saha\, Amitayush Thakur\, Sabrina Reguyal\, and Swarat Chaudhuri.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/newtech_2426/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:New Technologies in Mathematics Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-NTM-Seminar-2.4.2026.docx-1-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T173000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T190540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T163725Z
UID:10003849-1770049800-1770053400@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Bijections for hyperplane arrangements of Coxeter type
DESCRIPTION:Colloquium \nSpeaker: Olivier Bernardi\, Brandeis University \nTitle: Bijections for hyperplane arrangements of Coxeter type \nAbstract: This talk is about real hyperplane arrangements whose hyperplanes are of the form {xi −xj = s} or {xi +xj = s}. We describe a bijective framework for a large family of such arrangements which we call transitive. For each transitive arrangement A\, we give a bijection between the regions of A and a set of decorated trees. Particular cases include the families of Catalan\, Shi\, semiorder and Linial arrangements in type A\, B\, C\, D and BC. We also derive some general enumerative formulas for such families of transitive arrangements.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/colloquium-2226/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Colloquium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-Colloquium-2.2.2026.docx-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T160000
DTSTAMP:20260624T104748
CREATED:20251223T185600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T185935Z
UID:10003816-1770044400-1770048000@cmsa.fas.harvard.edu
SUMMARY:Reflexive Polytopes and the Convergence of Feynman Integrals
DESCRIPTION:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar \nSpeaker: Pierre Vanhove (Institute of Theoretical Physics – Saclay) \nTitle: Reflexive Polytopes and the Convergence of Feynman Integrals \nAbstract: In the parametric representation\, Feynman integrals can be viewed as Euler integrals defined by the Symanzik polynomials of a graph. The convergence properties of these integrals are intimately tied to the combinatorial geometry of their associated Newton polytopes; specifically\, finiteness is guaranteed when the polytope contains interior points. We present a classification of Feynman integrals associated with polytopes containing a unique interior point\, identifying a subset that are reflexive. Our results show that such reflexive polytopes are surprisingly scarce within the space of Feynman graphs. We conclude by computing several infinite families of these integrals and exploring their connections to mirror symmetry and toric geometry. This is based on joint work with Leonardo de la Cruz and Pavel Novichkov.
URL:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event/qft_2226/
LOCATION:CMSA Room G10\, CMSA\, 20 Garden Street\, Cambridge\, MA\, 02138\, United States
CATEGORIES:Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/media/CMSA-QFT-and-Physical-Mathematics-2.2.26-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR