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Prof. Jared Speck featured in WIRED
Oct. 5, 2026—Professor Jared Speck was featured in a recent WIRED article examining the impact of artificial intelligence on mathematical discovery. The article explores how AI systems are beginning to solve challenging mathematical problems and the resulting discussion within the mathematical community about creativity, understanding, and the future of research. Speck contributed insights on mathematicians’ enduring interest...
Prof. Disconzi awarded the Elliott–Yui Distinguished Visitorship
Oct. 1, 2026—Please join us in congratulating Prof. Marcelo Disconzi on being named to the prestigious Elliott–Yui Distinguished Visitorship at the Fields Institute, following nomination and selection by the Institute’s Directors in consultation with its Scientific Advisory Panel. Some visible mathematicians that were awarded this fellowship include Eberhard Kirchberg, Bo’az Klartag, and Michael Lacey (all ICM speakers)....
Publication of “Recent Advances in Approximation and Potential Theory” in honor of Prof. Emeritus Ed Saff’s birthday
Sep. 27, 2026—The Department of Mathematics is pleased to celebrate the publication of Recent Advances in Approximation and Potential Theory, a volume honoring Professor Emeritus Edward Saff on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Published by Birkhäuser and edited by Dmitriy Bilyk, Emil Jacob, Andrei Martínez-Finkelshtein, and Alexander M. Stokolos, the volume brings together contributions from leading...
Shanks Workshop “Facets of Complex Differential Geometry”
Sep. 27, 2026—Vanderbilt University will host the Shanks Workshop “Facets of Complex Differential Geometry” on November 14–15, 2026. Organized by Rares Rasdeaconu and Ioana Suvaina, speakers include: Vestislav Apostolov (UQAM) Shih-Kai Chiu (UC Irvine) Gueo Grantcharov (Florida International University) Claude LeBrun (Stony Brook University) Mehdi Lejmi (CUNY) Mingyang Li (SCGP/Stony Brook University) Christina Tønnesen-Friedman (Union College) See...
Prof. Speck Awarded Chancellor’s Research Award
Sep. 9, 2026—At the 2026 Fall Faculty Assembly, Prof. Jared Speck was awarded a Chancellor‘s Research Award. This is one of the highest honors that the University can bestow for research. The award recognizes the paper “Stable big bang formation for Einstein’s equations: the complete sub-critical regime,” written with Grigorios Fournodavlos (U Crete) and Igor Rodnianski (Princeton),...
Math Department introduces new Core class “Math for the Misinformation Age”
Jan. 19, 2026—This fall, Vanderbilt students encountered a new way to study mathematics—one centered not on equations in isolation, but on the numbers, charts, and claims that surround us every day. Mathematics for the Misinformation Age, designed and taught by Dr. Sean McAfee, debuted in Fall 2025 as one of the inaugural offerings in the College of...
Prof. Alex Lupsasca begins research with OpenAI for Science
Nov. 2, 2025—Congratulations to Alex Lupsasca, Assistant Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Vanderbilt University, who will be joining the OpenAI for Science initiative! In addition to his current research at Vanderbilt, he will be working with OpenAI to explore its potential to assist in solving research-level problems in astrophysics. You can find more details about his...
Faculty Spotlight: Professor Glenn Webb
Sep. 16, 2025—Centennial Professor Glen Webb, a leading expert on the mathematics of epidemiology, is the recipient of a National Science Foundation grant, which funds an interdisciplinary research project on epdiemic disease modeling. Under this grant, Prof. Webb is collaborating with Prof. Nicole Creanza from the Vanderbilt University Department of Biology. Together they are developing mathematical models...
Prof. Alex Lupsasca appears in Discover magazine
Aug. 31, 2025—Alex Lupsasca, Assistant Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Vanderbilt University, was recently asked by Discover magazine to share his thoughts on wormholes: hypothetical structures that could bridge two points across space and time. In the article, he discusses their purely (at this point) theoretical nature, their potential resemblance to black holes, and their relation...
Nashville Math Circle returns for 2025
Aug. 31, 2025—This school year, the Vanderbilt University Department of Mathematics is delighted to continue its tradition of encouraging young math minds at the Nashville Math Circle. This biweekly program provides Nashville-area students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to develop creative mathematical problem-solving skills in a friendly and engaging environment. Past Math Circle sessions have investigated questions...
Junhwi Lim receives Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award and Vanderbilt Award for Doctoral Discovery
Aug. 6, 2025—Junhwi Lim, a PhD student in the Vanderbilt Mathematics Department, has received the Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award, as well as Vanderbilt Award for Doctoral Discovery. Junhwi is a fifth-year graduate student who has been working under the direction of Prof. Dietmar Bisch since 2021. He has proved several first-rate results in the theory of subfactors...
Department hosts International Constructive Functions 2025 Conference
Jul. 3, 2025—The Vanderbilt University Department of Mathematics hosted the international Constructive Functions 2025 which was held on the university campus May 19-22. The conference was in large part a recognition of the mathematical work of Distinguished Professor Edward Saff, as well as a celebration of his 80th birthday. The local organizers of the conference were Liudmyla...