Vadim Gorin, who recently joined the UW-Madison Department of Mathematics, seeks to obtain precise mathematical descriptions for very large random systems. He is looking forward to teaching students that math is “interesting, unpredictable and beautiful.” Read …
2019 Math Emeriti Dinner (with spouses) at Union South
In Memoriam: Richard Askey
Richard Askey died on October 9, 2019 after a short illness. He joined the UW Department of Mathematics in 1963 and retired in 2003 after 40 years of service. Dick was a member of the National …
Shusterman jointly publishes proof of twin primes problem
Two mathematicians, Will Sawin of Columbia University and Mark Shusterman of University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently posted a proof of a version of one of the most famous open problems in mathematics. The result opens a new front …
Jordan Ellenberg Elected A.D. White Professor at Large at Cornell
Jordan Ellenberg joins a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, another bestselling author and a leader in global sustainable agriculture are among six newly elected Andrew Dickson White Professors-at-Large at Cornell. The professors-at-large program at Cornell sponsors up …
Jordan Ellenberg’s Hawking Index predicts book unreadability
In The Guardian, Jordan Ellenberg explains his own way of calculating a book’s unreadability, which he dubbed the Hawking Index. Ellenberg looked at the sections that readers have highlighted on Amazon’s Kindle e-readers, and infers …
Math alumnus named University of Denver Chancellor
The University of Denver has chosen Jeremy Haefner as its 19th chancellor. Haefner, who earned a master’s degree and PhD in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983 and 1986, respectively, joined the University of …
Nan Chen works on model for predicting Indian Monsoons
New research from an NYU/Abu Dhabi team has found that temperatures in the Atlantic are having a growing effect on the Indian monsoon, something that could prove crucial in predicting how severe rains are likely …
Support plus drive equals success
A supportive environment helped a group of female graduate students in mathematics reach lofty goals. Already a leader in the number of women hired as faculty members, the department hopes to continue improving the experience …
Four faculty honored with Van Vleck Prizes
Every four years the UW-Madison Mathematics Department awards Van Vleck Prizes to faculty members on the basis of excellence in research and promise of significant future achievement. The prizes are funded by the Van Vleck …