Xavier University Mathematics Department

Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony
March 1, 2023
3:00 CLC 412

https://marchgladness.xavier.edu/campaigns/mathematics-and-actuarial-science #/

Mathematics and Actuarial Science - Xavier March Gladness Your contributions will provide discretionary funding for various activities in our department.

For both---or either---of these talks (Abby's senior presentation or Dr. Bucher's research overview), come to CLC 406 or join us through Zoom Meeting # 95897104521. If Zooming in, make sure to use your Xavier credentials.

Pizza and drinks will be provided during the intermission :^)

-- Greg

Coming Wednesday, 11/17 @ 3:30pm:

Dr. Eric Bucher's "Introduction to cluster algebras and their applications"

Cluster algebras were first invented by Fomin and Zelevinsky in 2003. Since their inception, these mathematical objects have popped up in a large variety of seemingly unrelated areas including: combinatorics, topology, algebra and mathematical physics. In this talk we will lay the basic groundwork for working with cluster algebras as well as discuss a few of their applications to the above areas. This talk is intended to be introductory so no background or definitions will be assumed. The intention is to have everyone walk away having learned about this new and fascinating algebraic object.

Coming Wednesday, 11/17 @ 3pm:

Abby Brickner's "Mathematical Approach to Congressional Redistricting"

Gerrymandering has been a pertinent issue for politics and voting in the United States since its earliest days. In an attempt to analyze this political issue mathematically to automate a solution, we have created a number of simulations which run on the basis of four factors. These factors are fairness, competitiveness, equal population and compactness. The manipulation of these factors alongside a mutation algorithm allowed us to create maps which provide alternatives to the current districts. Further work focused more on the genetic algorithm and the idea of "survival of the fittest" regarding the crossover of the best parent maps to produce their offspring. Finally, manipulation of the fairness factor in combination with the genetic algorithm has allowed for simulations to show intentionally biased maps, either to favor the Republicans or the Democrats.

It's getting curiouser and curiouser. In addition to Eric's Mystery Talk (which is no longer a mystery to yours truly, but that's a story for another time), Abby will be presenting her Senior Project on the same day. Double delight, with some refreshments in-between.

Hope to see you all on Wednesday, 11/17. Keep an eye out for details.

-- Greg

Later this semester, on Wednesday, 11/17, our dear colleague, Eric Bucher, will make a presentation---of whatever it might be that he wants to talk about. Although the formal title is "Eric Bucher: Research Spotlight" (possibly reversed), one could wonder how deep he's going to dive into theoretical mathematics and if he's going to be able to keep the audience of undergraduate math students engaged throughout. Personally, yours truly is certain that he is. I've never seen such a charismatic presenter.

Mark it on your calendars: 11/17 @ 3pm, Bucher's Mystery Talk.

-- Greg

SENIOR PRESENTATIONS MONDAY APRIL 20th

4:30 pm: Kara Schatz "The Linear Bandwidth of Km,n and Kl,m,n" (Bucher, Nastase, Catral)

5:00 pm: Beth Root "The Cyclic Cutwidth of Cartesian Product Graphs" (Bucher, Catral, C.Gerberry)

5:30 pm: Duncan Webb "The Use of Oncolytic Viruses in Tumor Therapy" (Joshi, Rossa, Otero)

6:00 pm: Patrick Simpson "The Optimal NBA Roster-Building Strategy" (M.Buot, Sokolov, Joshi

Hope everyone is well! Remote classes begin on Monday March, 23! If you have any concerns please visit xavier.edu/coronavirus or call the hotline at 513-745-1010.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) The University continues to actively monitor and respond to the worldwide spread of the respiratory illness novel coronavirus (COVID-19).