Invited Paper Sessions

Invited Paper Sessions are organized by professionals in the mathematical sciences and designed to provide substantial mathematical content in the MAA program. Four to six speakers are invited by the organizers to present on a designated topic for twenty-minute segments. MAA MathFest participants who tune in to these sessions will get the chance to hear from a diverse set of speakers on current or emerging topics in various areas of mathematics.

 

MAA Invited Paper Session
Special Functions and Constants in Geometry and Trigonometry

Thursday, August 3, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Room 118/119

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

The theme is to explore connections between geometric properties and the functions that model those properties. Trigonometry is the classical example of this and generalizations of trigonometric functions to other settings, such as "squigonometry" in the p-norm, invite new ways to explore the interplay of geometry and analysis. This session will focus on this analytic-geometric lens, inviting talks that illustrate how special functions and constants describe geometric objects, and vice versa.

Organizer:
Bill Wood, University of Northern Iowa

 

MAA Invited Paper Session
Trends in Mathematical and Computational Biology

Thursday, August 3, 8:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., Ballroom A

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Mathematical and computational biology encompasses a diverse range of biological phenomena and quantitative methods for exploring those phenomena. The pace of research at this junction continues to accelerate and substantial advancements in problems from gene regulation, genomics, phylogenetics, RNA folding, evolution, infectious disease dynamics, neuroscience, growth and control of populations, ecological networks, drug resistance modeling, and medical breakthroughs related to cancer therapies have increasingly ensued from utilizing mathematical and computational approaches. Our session on current trends will sample from this diversity of important questions from biology and medicine and their mathematical treatments, with a goal of maximizing the range of topics and research methods presented at the session. Mathematical approaches will include deterministic and stochastic continuous dynamical models, as well as finite dynamical systems and combinatorial and algebraic methods.

Organizers:
Timothy Comar Benedictine University
Anne Yust, University of Pittsburgh

Sponsor:
SIGMAA on Mathematical and Computational Biology (BIO SIGMAA) 

Schedule

Modeling Growth & Reproduction in Bromeliads: A Tour of Modeling Methods
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Erin Bodine, Rhodes College

Gut Instincts: A Data Driven Approach to Mouse Colon Modeling
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Andrea Welsh, University of Pittsburgh

An Evolutionary Game Theory Model of Altruism via Arrhenotoky
9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Olivia J. Chu, Dartmouth College
Zachary Nathan, Dartmouth College

Algebraic Methods for Detecting Convex Combinatorial Neural Codes
9:30 p.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Nora Youngs, Colby College

Exploring the Roles of Interneuron Subtypes in Network Dynamics
10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Madeline M. Edwards, University of Pittsburgh

 

MAA Invited Paper Session and Jam Session (aligned with an MAA Invited Address)
Applications of Mathematics to Music

Thursday, August 3, 2:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ballroom B/C

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Mathematics and music have a long-standing affinity for each other. In this session, our speakers will talk about many topics, including vowel production and a question at the intersection of mathematics, music, physics, communication, and perception; the application of natural Pythagorean intervals to the closure for scales generated by three or more intervals; the circle of fifths and the twelve-tone scale on a torus; the Piano theorem; graphs for music events, including modulation; and a musical pythagorean theorem that Pythagoras missed.

Organizers:
Jason Brown, Dalhousie University
Ezra (Bud) Brown, Virginia Tech

Schedule

How do vowels work?
2:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Brian Katz, California State University - Long Beach

Closure and Symmetry in Generalized Tonal Systems of more than Two Dimensions
2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Brett Stevens, Carleton University

Using Mathematics to Compose Popular Music
3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Jason Brown, Dalhousie University

Comparing Songs without Listening: From Music to TDA and Back Again
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Katherine M. Kinnaird, Smith College

Symmetry and Group Theory in Bach’s Canons
4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Brianna Donaldson, American Institute of Mathematics
David Kung, Charles A. Dana Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Musical Interlude
4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Music Is Mathematical, Mathematics Is Musical
5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
Ezra Brown, Virginia Tech

Jam Session
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 

MAA Invited Paper Session
Frontiers in Differential Equations and Applications

Friday, August 4, 8:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., Room 118/119

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

This session seeks to explore problems and techniques at the interface of differential equations and applied mathematics. Topics of interest include multiscale analysis, inverse problems, numerical methods, and spectral analysis, with applications in materials science, fluid dynamics, mathematical biology, and medical imaging. Our main goal is to showcase new research in applications of differential equations and to promote collaboration between established and early- career mathematicians.

Organizers:
Robert Viator Jr., Swarthmore College
Chee Han Tan, Wake Forest University

Schedule

Maximal Total Population of Species in a Diffusive Logistic Model
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Chiu-Yen Kao, Claremont Mckenna College

Modeling Microtubule Assembly and Polarity in Neurons
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Anna C. Nelson, Duke University

Homogenization of Nonlinear Deformable Dielectrics
9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Thuyen Dang, University of Chicago

Computation of Free Boundary Minimal Surfaces via Extremal Steklov Eigenvalue Problems
9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Braxton Osting, University of Utah

Analyticity of Steklov Eigenvalues of Nearly-Hyperspherical Domains in Rd+1
10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Chee Han Tan, Wake Forest University

 

MAA Invited Paper Session
Quantitative Justice: Incorporating Social Justice in Research, the Classroom, and More

Friday, August 4, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.. Ballroom A

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Quantitative Justice is an emerging field that lies at the intersection of quantitative science and social justice. Quantitative Justice encompasses all forms of mathematical, computational, and statistical analysis of problems that are sourced in the real world, often in domains that are considered “social science." The key component that differentiates Quantitative Justice from typical quantitative analysis of social science phenomena is that either the topic under investigation or the rationale for the analysis are rooted in addressing societal inequities. These methods used include: data science, statistics, natural language processing, network analysis, topological data analysis, dynamical systems, combinatorics, computer science, database analysis, mathematical biology, environmental science, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

This session will help address the common question: “how can math be used for social justice?” By inviting speakers with experience in quantitative justice, participants can see how metric geometry and markov chains show up in electoral redistricting, how graph theory can help us understand connections between bill sponsors in Congress, how statistics can highlight patterns in policing, and how applied algebraic topology can be used to study access to polling sites and equitable distribution of public resources.

Organizers:
Ranthony A.C. Edmonds, Duke University
AJ Stewart, AAAS Science and Technology Executive Fellow

Schedule

An Introduction to Quantitative Justice
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Ranthony A.C. Edmonds, Duke University
AJ Stewart, AAAS Science and Technology Executive Fellow

Quantifying Communities of Interest in Electoral Redistricting
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Parker Edwards, Florida Atlantic University

Topological and Geometric Methods in Redistricting
9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Tom Needham, Florida State University

Topological Data Analysis of U.S. City Demographics
9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Jakini Kauba, Clemson University

Accelerating and Scaling Community Centered Research
10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Carrie Diaz-Eaton, Bates College

#Metamath: The Mathematics of Mathematics
10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Ron Buckmire, Occidental College

 

MAA Invited Paper Session
Recent Advances in Mathematical and Computational Biology, Highlighting Contributions from Undergraduate Researchers

Friday, August 4, 3:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Room 118/119

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Some of biology’s most complex questions are best answered through mathematical modeling, using tools which range from stochastic and statistical models to deterministic differential equations models. The utility of mathematical models within biology is also vast, answering questions within subfields such as ecology, neuroscience, immunology, physiology, and more. Furthermore, mathematical biology contributes to mathematics as the complex models formed to represent biological phenomena drive the creation of new mathematical tools for model analysis.

With this symposium we hope to highlight mathematical descriptions from a large range of biological disciplines. Including a variety of biological disciplines underscores the versatility of mathematical modeling as the cutting edge tool throughout biology and makes known the commonality of analytical tools and methods across fields of application. Additionally, we hope to highlight the contributions of undergraduate researchers within mathematical biology research through this symposium. Because mathematical biology is placed within an application, the research may be accessible to undergraduate students, and oftentimes undergraduate researchers can be involved easily in these projects. By highlighting the specific role of undergraduate researchers within larger research projects, we aim to clearly depict ways to involve undergraduate researchers in future research projects.

Organizers:
Anna Nelson, Duke University
Kelly Buch, Austin Peay State University

Schedule

From Flashing Fireflies to Bursting Neurons: Finding Sync with Undergraduate Collaborators.
3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Matthew Mizuhara, The College of New Jersey

A Bit of Biology for the Mathematicians, a Bit of Math for the Biologists, Some Programming for Everyone
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Sean Laverty, University of Central Oklahoma

Pulsing Corals and Swimming Jellyfish: Including Undergraduates in Biological Fluid-Structure Interaction Research
4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Matea Santiago, University of Arizona

A Global Sensitivity Analysis Framework for Rumen Fermentation Modeling Identifies Key Modifiers of Enteric Methane Production
4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Kathryn Link, Pfizer Inc.

Undergraduate Research Aimed at Solving Clostridioides difficile: Mathematical Models of Transmission and Control in Healthcare Settings
5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
Cara Sulyok, Lewis University

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure?
5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Ben Morin, Vassar College

 

AMS-MAA Invited Paper Session
Mathematics is Not Done in a Vacuum: Collaborations in Mathematics and History of Mathematics

Friday, August 4, 4:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Ballroom A

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

This invited paper session will feature talks on collaborations. In particular, the talks will focus on collaborations by mathematicians of the past and present-day collaborations by historians of mathematics who study the past. This session will explore the benefits and special challenges that collaborations can bring.

Organizer:
Sloan Evans Despeaux, Western Carolina University

Schedule

Collaboration in Ancient and Medieval Times
4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Victor Katz, University of the District of Columbia

Editorial and Epistolary Collaborations Among Mathematicians
4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Janet Heine Barnett, Colorado State University Pueblo

Beginnings: How to Start---and Sustain---a Mathematics Initiative
5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
Della Dumbaugh, University of Richmond

Collaboration Typologies in 19th-century American Mathematics Textbook Series
5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Amy Ackerberg-Hastings, MAA Convergence

 

Invited Paper Session organized by the Leitzel Lecturer
Building STEM Success From K-12 Through College

Saturday, August 5, 8:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m., Ballroom A

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Students enter college with a variety of backgrounds and life experiences that shape their trajectory. For students from historically marginalized backgrounds, it can be especially difficult to navigate college life and academics within an environment that was not made for them. As faculty members, there is a great deal that can be done to better understand and support our students. This session will introduce insights about the student experience and how we can support them, with ideas from both researchers and practitioners who work from K-12 through college.

Organizer:
Daniel Zaharopol, Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM)

Schedule

Real Analysis: Gateway or Gatekeeper?
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Amy Bennett, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yvonne Lai, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Demographic Gaps or Preparation Gaps?: The Large Impact of Incoming Preparation on Performance of Students in Introductory Physics
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Shima Salehi, Stanford University

Welcoming Students into a Math Community
9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Sarah Hunt, Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM)

How Do K-12 Schools Prepare Top Math Talent for Advanced Math Studies?
9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Al Lucero, The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools

Examining Mathematical Narratives and Supporting New Students in Mathematics
10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Aris Winger, Georgia Gwinnett College

Panel Discussion: Supporting Students on Pathways to STEM
10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

 

MAA Invited Paper Session
The Mathematics of Data Science

Saturday, August 5, 3:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Ballroom A

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

The fundamentals of data science are drawn from mathematics, statistics, and computer science. However, there is a lack of clarity on what it actually means to be a data scientist and how to prepare students in data science. Given that real-world data lies in a context domain, the work of data science requires interdisciplinary domain expertise that may include the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. To carry out the data lifecycle, the context domain must be considered throughout the data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of findings. Even though many mathematical faculty have either taken or taught the ‘foundational courses’ in the fundamentals of data science, others may still be resistant to incorporating data science into their academic programs due to the myriad of challenges.

This session will feature mathematicians who will share how they are advancing data science teaching and research, along with their tools and applications. From developing academic programs to engaging students in culturally relevant data science, health informatics, sports analytics, etc., the session will demonstrate how mathematics catalyzes innovations. The presenters will showcase work being done across a range of academic institutions with industry partners from the mathematical perspective. We envision talks on probabilistic tools in data analytics for sports, complex systems and adaptive networks in data science, culturally responsive and justice-oriented approaches to teaching data science, and statistical tools in data analysis for quantitative social justice, among others. This session will also highlight the data science focus and anticipated findings of the February 2024 Special Issue of the American Mathematical Monthly, with Anna Haensch and Talitha Washington serving as Guest Editors.

Organizers:
Talitha Washington, Clark Atlanta University
Anna Haensch, Tufts University
Della Dumbaugh, University of Richmond

Schedule

A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for On-Demand Digital Media
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Kobi Abayomi, Seton Hall U and Gumbel Demand Acceleration

Mathematical Models in the Sociological Imagination
4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Nathan Alexander, Morehouse College

Community-driven Data Science for Social Justice Research Practices
4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Carrie Diaz Eaton, Bates College

Non- family Reason Internal Migration and Their Socio-economic Characteristics
5:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
Binod Manandhar, Clark Atlanta University

The Role of Mathematics in Undergraduate Data Science Programs
5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Talitha Washington, Clark Atlanta University and Atlanta University Center

 

AWM-MAA Invited Paper Session
Geometric Measure Theory, Harmonic Analysis, and Partial Differential Equations

Saturday, August 5, 2:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Room 118/119

Click here to read the abstracts for the talks from this session

Geometric measure theory provides a useful framework for studying the geometry and regularity of sets and measures in Euclidean and non-Euclidean settings, and has many useful applications to interesting problems in various fields of mathematics. This invited paper session aims to showcase the vibrant interactions between geometric measure theory, partial differential equations, and harmonic analysis. In this session, we will see exciting new developments at the interface of these areas, highlighting the ways in which they intertwine to produce deep insights.

Organizers:
Max Goering, Max Planck Institute Leipzig
Anna Skorobogatova, Princeton University
Mariana Smit Vega Garcia, Western Washington University