This is a past event
Given by Prof. Robert Ghrist, Andrea Mitchell University Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Many contemporary challenges in the sciences concern the inference of global features from local data. For example: how do data from individual neurons tell us about brain functionality? How do individual sensor readings give rise to intelligent networks? This passage from local- to global- data is as subtle as it is fundamental; however, it is not unprecedented. In Mathematics, several types of local-to-global challenges were overcome with new techniques-most notably from algebraic topology. This talk will outline both the to-date exciting applications and the visionary potential of exporting topological tools to the data sciences, with examples ranging from sensor networks to neuroscience and more.
Admission free, no booking required.
Professor Ghrist is known for his work on topological methods in applied mathematics, which has earned him several awards including an NSF Career award and a place in the Scientific American “Top 50” for Research. He also has a reputation as an entertaining and engaging speaker.
The Potter Lecture is an annual event where a distinguished mathematician gives a lecture for a general audience. It is made possible by a donation from Anne Potter in honour of her husband, Professor Stanley Potter FRSE, who was a distinguished member of the Aberdeen Department of Mathematics. Previous speakers include Fred Cohen, Gunnar Carlsson, George Lusztig, Charles W. Curtis, Vladimir B. Matveev and (last year) Mladen Bestvina.
- Speaker
- Professor Robert Ghrist
- Venue
- Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen
- Contact
-
Mark Grant mark.grant@abdn.ac.uk