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Spring 2019 Fine Letters Spring 2019 • Issue 8 Department of MATHEMATICS Princeton University From the Chair Professor Allan Sly Receives MacArthur Fellowship Congratulations to Sly works on an area of probability retical computer science, where a key the Class of 2019 theory with applications from the goal often is to understand whether and all the finishing physics of magnetic materials to it is likely or unlikely that a large set graduate students. computer science and information of randomly imposed constraints on a Congratulations theory. His work investigates thresh- system can be satisfied. Sly has shown to the members of olds at which complex networks mathematically how such systems of- class of 2018 and suddenly change from having one ten reach a threshold at which solving new Ph. D.s who set of properties to another. Such a particular problem shifts from likely are reading Fine Letters for the first questions originally arose in phys- or unlikely. Sly has used a party invi- time as alumni. As we all know, the ics, where scientists observed such tation list as an analogy for the work: Math major is a great foundation for shifts in the magnetism of certain As you add interpersonal conflicts a diverse range of endeavors. This metal alloys. Sly provided a rigorous among a group of potential guests, it is exemplified by seventeen '18's who mathematical proof of the shift and can suddenly become effectively im- have gone to industry and seventeen a framework for identifying when possible to create a workable party. to grad school; ten to advanced study such shifts occur. in math and seven in CS, Economics, “How long until I can no longer find Philosophy or Biostatistics. His work has extended into theo- 40 people who will all be OK in the ...continued on page 7 This academic year we welcomed Instructors Kenneth Ascher, Clark Butler, Remy van Dobben de Bruyn, Theo Drivas, Jiequn Han *18, Casey Kelleher, Chao Li, Boyu Zhang, and Ian Zemke, and assistant professor Aleksandr Logunov. We are very happy to report that twelve instruc- tors and assistant professors have accepted offers to join our ranks in upcoming years, including six wom- en. In addition, Chenyang Xu *08 accepted our professorial offer starting Fall 2020. Two extraordinary members of our Courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation community passed away in December. The Department lost Professor Emer- itus Elias Stein, who made many deep Inside this issue: and influential research contribu- Faculty Memorials — Pages 4–5 tions. He was an unusually effective and popular mentor and teacher at all Honors and Awards — Pages 6–7 levels, as well as a master expositor Tips on Teaching — Page 8 whose books are classics. As a citizen, The Mathematics of Black Holes — Page 9 Professor Stein was an essential figure in all aspects of the Math department RTG Summer Programs — Page 10 ...continued on next page Mentoring — Page 11 From the Chair from the Chair ...continued from previous page for many years, including two terms as demics and non-academic employment Events Specialist, won the President's Chair. We also lost Jean Bourgain, a alike. Some of the independent research Achievement Award, the University's Professor at the Institute for Advanced leads to publications in excellent jour- highest recognition for a staff member. Study. An extraordinarily prolific and nals, or serves as an entrée to coveted Her activities far exceed her job title. creative mathematician, he had many positions in the business, non-profit, or Gale also mentors newer staff, offers ties to our Department. government sectors. her ear to students and faculty, greets visitors, and when the elevators go out The Department's Minerva Program From graduate students to postdocs to she dashes from the B-level to the 12th had its most active year with three junior faculty to long-time professors, floor helping Fine Hall members. Minerva Distinguished Visitors: we are all striving for essentially the Aaron Naber*09, Melanie Wood*09 same goals; solving the most interest- This academic year concludes my seven and Xinwen Zhu in the fall. Hugo ing and fundamental mathematical years as Chair of the Department. Duminil-Copin delivered our Minerva problems and/or finding new directions Being Chair has been an amazing Lecture Series in the spring. All were and connections. For some of these experience. Watching undergrads and very engaged with our students and efforts, our faculty have won major grad students run with opportunity, faculty and gave beautiful, well-received recognitions. These include Allan and working with extraordinary col- research lectures. Sly (MacArthur Fellowship), Michael leagues, has been incredible. Among Aizenman (Poincaré Prize), Weinan many other things, the Department has In addition to busily learning math- E (Henrici Prize), Aleksandr Logu- undergone generational change and ematics in the classroom, our under- nov (Salem Prize) and Francesco Lin the Common Room is once again an grads are learning to think and explore (Sloan Fellowship). We are happy to energetic center of activity. Whatever independently, first through their junior report that Visiting Senior Lecturer has been accomplished these last seven independent work and then through Karen Uhlenbeck won the 2019 Abel years is due to ever ready colleagues their senior theses. All juniors partici- Prize, Akshay Venkatesh *02 won a who step up when called, staff that go pate in a seminar, which sharpens the 2018 Fields Medal, and Visiting Asso- above and beyond, and our Nassau Hall ability to pursue topics independently ciate Research Scholar June Huh won a administration that has steadfastly sup- and to communicate their knowledge 2018 New Horizons Prize. ported our efforts. I am grateful to all effectively, important skills in both aca- of you! Igor Rodnianski will become We take teaching very seriously, and Chair as of July 1, 2019. Igor's out- Department Administration recognized Nicolas Boumal and Evita standing leadership as Acting Chair in Chair Nestoridi with Departmental Junior the 2015-16 academic year bodes well David Gabai Faculty teaching awards, and Maggie for the future. Miller with the Departmental Graduate Associate Chair Student teaching award. We are very Special thanks go to the Fernholz Foun- János Kollár (Fall) pleased that Hansheng Diao won his dation, the Class of 1971 Endowment Christopher Skinner (Spring) fourth consecutive Engineering Council and Wu-Chung Hsiang and Vicky Teaching Award and David Villalobos- Kwoh Ching for their generous support Departmental Representative Paz won one of seven Graduate School of the Department. János Kollár (Fall) Ana Menezes (Spring) Teaching Awards. Jennifer M. Johnson I hope that you can attend this year's Our extraordinary staff works behind Alumni Reception, 2:00 PM on Friday, Director of Graduate Studies the scenes to support the teaching May 31 in Fine Hall's Common Room. Javier Gómez Serrano and research mission of the Depart- Reunions provide an opportunity not Zoltán Szabó ment. I'd like to take this opportunity only for you to connect with former to thank Michelle Matel, who is now classmates and faculty, but to also meet Senior Advisors our Undergraduate Administrator, our current students and hear about Zeev Dvir for her six years of superb service as their projects. One of the highlights of John Pardon Assistant to the Chair and Department being chair is hearing from our alumni. Junior Advisor Manager. We welcome Kristie Dacey Please share your thoughts and stories! Mark McConnell who is taking on the Assistant role. We are delighted that Gale Sandor, our David Gabai *77 *80 PlacementPage 2 Officer [email protected] Ana Menezes Faculty Appointments 2018-19 Academic Year Kenneth Ascher, Instructor Chao Li, Instructor Algebraic Geometry Differential Geometry & Kenneth Ascher received his Ph.D. Geometric Analysis from Brown University in 2017 after Chao Li completed his Ph.D. at Stan- completing his undergraduate work at ford University in 2018 after received Stony Brook. Before coming to Princ- his bachelors degree from Peking eton, Ascher was an NSF Postdoctoral University in 2012. Li received the Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Chinese National Scholarship in 2012 Technology during the 2017-18 aca- in addition to being named Outstand- demic year. ing Student of Peking University for three consecutive years. Clark Butler, Veblen Research Instructor Aleksandr Logunov, Assistant Dynamical Systems Professor Clark Butler completed his Ph.D. Univer- Analysis and PDEs sity of Chicago in 2018 and his B.S. at Joins our department after spending Ohio State University in 2012. While at the 2017-18 academic year as a mem- the University of Chicago Butler received ber at the Institute for Advancecd an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship as Study and working as a Postdoctoral well as that school's Harper Dissertation Fellow at Tel-Aviv University from Fellowship. 2015-17. Logunov received both his graduate and undergraduate degrees Remy van Dobben de Bruyn, Veblen from St. Petersburg State University. Research Instructor Algebraic Geometry Boyu Zhang, Instructor Remy van Dobben de Bruyn did his Symplectic Geometry & Low- undergraduate work at Universiteit dimensional Topology Leiden, followed by studies at the Boyu Zhang completed his Ph.D. University of Cambridge and Uni- at Harvard University in 2018 and versité Paris-Sud XI before moving his undergraduate degree at Peking to Columbia University, where he University in 2013. While at Harvard, completed his Ph.D. in 2018. Zhang received their Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Merit Fellowship. Theo Drivas, Instructor Analysis Theo Drivas received his Ph.D. in Ian Zemke, Instructor 2017 from Johns Hopkins University Symplectic Geometry & Low- after completing his undergraduate dimensional Topology work at the University of Chicago. Ian Zemke completed his Ph.D. in Drivas was an NSF Postdoctoral Fel- 2017 at the University of California, low in our department before being Los Angles after his undergraduate promoted to Instructor this year.
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