Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences Annual Report 2004/05 The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences Mission Statement The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) was founded and is maintained by the five main universities in Western Canada (Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Victoria) with the objectives of: • Promoting research in mathematics • Strengthening ties and collaboration between the mathematical scientists in the academic community, in the industrial and business sector, and in government • Enhancing education and training in mathematical sciences, and broadening communication of mathematical ideas • Creating strong mathematical partnerships and links within Canada and with organizations in other countries, focusing on the nations of the Pacific Rim PIMS has a close partnership with the University of Washington and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), and the Universities of Lethbridge and Northern British Columbia are affiliates. In its eight years of existence PIMS has developed various ways in which to fulfil the objectives set by its founding universities. These include the Collaborative Research Groups, various Scientific, Education and Industrial activities, the Banff International Research Station (BIRS), and Postdoctoral Fellowships. As the Director of PIMS, I am committed to continuing in this direction, as well as exploring other ways in which PIMS can contribute to science and education. Ivar Ekeland Director, PIMS i Overview Ivar Ekeland, PIMS Director Ivar Ekeland, PIMS Director The major event of the 2004-5 period has undoubtedly been the renewal of the Banff International Research Station (BIRS). PIMS has led an international team of major institutions in putting together the new proposal. Our partnership with MSRI has now been extended to UNAM (Mexico), and to MITACS. We hope that BIRS will become a bridge between the Canadian and Mexican mathematical communi- ties, and that PIMS universities will be active in developing collaborations with UNAM and other Mexican institutions, nichas cinvestav. BIRS is now a truly international institution, supported by NSERC, the Alberta government, NSF and the Mexican CONACYI– the scientific Advisory Board and the Programme Committee are independent from PIMS, and it is no longer the case that PIMS has the right to pre-empt a certain number of weeks. This cancels the direct advantage that PIMS derives from BIRS, however it remains the case that the presence of BIRS in Banff draws to Western Canada, and particularly to Alberta, a steady flow of world- class scientists. This is why PIMS will continue to shoulder the burden of administrating BIRS, as a service to the Canadian mathematical community. I will also like to point out that the International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) will be held in Vancouver in 2011, thanks to a successful bid put together by MITACS, together with SIAD and CAIMS. In 2005-06, we will try to build on the many international contacts we have made this year. Our mandate calls for developing ties with the Pacific Rim communities–this is the next way to go. ii Contents Overview ii PIMS PERSONNEL 1 PIMS Management 2 PIMS Site Personnel 10 PIMS Scientific Personnel 12 BANFF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH STATION 13 I. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH GROUPS 23 II. CORE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMES 35 PIMS Mini-Progrrammes 36 Distinguished Chairs 38 PIMS Postdoctoral Fellows 41 Pacific Northwest Seminar Series 43 PIMS Lecture Series 45 III. GENERAL SCIENTIFIC EVENTS 55 Extra-Thematic Scientific Workshops 56 The National Program on Complex Data Structures 63 Atlantic Association for Research in the Mathematical Sciences 66 IV. INDUSTRIAL PROGRAMME 69 Industrial Problem Solving Programme 70 Industrial and Scientific Training Activities 73 MITACS: An NCE forthe Mathematical Sciences 75 V. MATHEMATICS EDUCATION PROGRAMME 77 Initiatives for K–12 Students 78 Initiatives for Undergraduate Students 85 Initiatives for Graduate Students 86 Initiatives for Mathematics Educators 87 VI. COMMUNICATION OF THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES 91 APPENDIX: Financial Report 97 iii iv 1 PIMS PERSONNEL The staff from the PIMS sites together for a training meeting at UBC in November 2004. Annual Report 2004/05 2 PIMS PERSONNEL PIMS Management Process Automation Services providing process automation Board of Directors support to Syncrude’s Mining, Extraction, Utilities and Up- grading operations in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Don’s prior experience at Syncrude includes 10 years at Research devel- The Board of Directors has final responsibility for all aspects oping On-Line Sensors and applying Pattern Recognition tech- of the PIMS’ operation. In particular, the Board ensures fiscal niques to data analysis and 8 years as Manager Information accountability, monitors the operation of the PIMS, and ad- Services. His current interest is applying mathematical tech- vises the Executive Committee. niques to determining process unit health and providing ad- vanced warning to process operators to avoid downgrading incidents. Chair of the Board: Dr. Michael Boorman recieved his Ph.D. from the Dr. Ivar Ekeland is the Canada Research Chair in Mathemati- University of Nottingham in 1964, and cal Economics at the University of British Columbia. He is a is a professor in the Chemistry De- former President of Universite partment at the University of Calgary. Paris-Dauphine, and a former Di- Currently, he is the Dean of Science rector of the research centres at the University of Calgary. Dr. CEREMADE and Institute Fi- Boorman’s research activities are in nance-Dauphine. He has re- Inorganic Chemistry and in Hetero- ceived prizes from the French geneous Catalysis Michael Boorman. Academy of Sciences, the French Mathematical Society, Dr. Donald Brooks received his Ph.D. from the University of and the Belgian Academy of Sci- Oregon in 1971. He held postdoctoral positions at the Weizmann ences. He is a foreign member of Institute and the University of Cam- the Norwegian Academy of Sci- bridge, before coming to UBC in 1974. ences and he holds honorary Dr. Brooks is professor of Pathology doctorates from UBC and from and Laboratory Medicine as well as the University of Saint-Peters- Ivar Ekeland. Chemistry. He is also the Associate Vice- burg for Economics and Finance. President Research for UBC. His areas Dr. Ekeland is the founding editor of the “Annales de l’Institut of research are biomaterials, Henri Poincare-Analyse nonlineaire” and he sits on the edito- microgravity biotechnology, develop- rial board of many other publications. He has also written ment of blood plasma substitutes and several books which are reflections on, or popularization of, immunodiagnostic techniques. He has mathematics. For these contributions, Dr Ekeland was awarded been a member of the PIMS Board of the “Prix Jean Rostand” by the Association des Ecrivains Donald Brooks. Directors since 2004. Scientifiques de France and the “Prix d’Alembert” by the So- ciete Mathematique de France. He is also a regular contribu- Dr. Don Denney received his Ph.D. tor to the journal “Nature” as well as to the magazine “Pour la from the University of Waterloo in Science”. He has been a member of the PIMS Board of Direc- 1978 and spent two years as a tors since 2003 when he became PIMS Director. post-doctoral fellow at the Univer- sity of Colorado engaged in atmo- Mr. Haig Farris practiced as a lawyer with Farris and Company spheric chemistry studies and in for 5 years, then moved into financial consulting, co-founding developing statistical pattern rec- two companies. He is currently President of Fractal Capital Corp, ognition techniques. He is a Di- a private venture capital company specializing in hi-tech start- rector of PRECARN/IRIS, serving ups and resource industry technology companies. In 2001, along as Board Chair for 1999/2000. Don with several other UBC graduates, Farris was named a Pioneer of has been with Syncrude for 24 Innovation by the Vancouver Board of Trade. Also last year, he years and is currently Manager, was awarded the Bill Thompson Career Achievement Award by Don Denney. Pacific Institue for the Mathematical Sciences PIMS PERSONNEL 3 the British Columbia Technology vironment and Natural Resources) in the Vice-President (Re- Industry Association. Mr. Farris search) Office. At Guelph he had significant involvement in has maintained a consistently the planning, coordination, and transfer of research and tech- high profile in the community as nology to industry, government, user groups, and the general an advocate for UBC and as a public. He was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Extension champion of science and technol- and Service Award for his work in this area. Gary continues to ogy. In the latter role, he has been have a strong research program with main interests in the phys- Chair of the Science Council of ics of water and chemical transport through soil. His past BC and a member of the founding research contributions have been recognized by awards such Board of Directors for Science as Fellow of Soil Science Society of America and Fellow of the World, heading its first two capi- Canadian Society of Soil Science. He was President of the tal campaigns. Mr. Farris speaks Canadian Society of Soil Science in 2001. He has served on at many conferences, most fre- the Editorial Boards of the top peer reviewed research jour- Haig Farris. quently on the topic of science nals in his field including the Canadian Journal of Soil Sci- awareness, venture investing and ence, Soil Science Society of America Journal, and the Euro- the management of high-tech companies. He also shared his ac- pean Journal of Soil Science. He has authored over 80 scien- cumulation of knowledge through an adjunct professorship at tific papers in referred journals and over 10 book chapters/ UBC, encouraging entrepreneurship among his students. He sections. His research and technology transfer in soil and currently finances several former students with new technology water conservation work have been recognized by industry companies.