Geometry MMA Seminar: Dynamics, Finite Fields, and Character Varieties: A Geometry Lab Project Working!

Speaker: Sean Lawton, George Mason University

Title:   Dynamics, Finite Fields, and Character Varieties:  A Geometry Lab Project Working!

Abstract:  In 2014 the Mason Experimental Geometry Lab (MEGL) was founded.  During Fall and Spring of that year MEGL obtained funding, space, equipment, and participants.  In Summer 2015 the first research (and outreach) projects began. One of the first projects explored dynamics on the finite field points of certain algebraic varieties.  This project continued every semester and summer until Fall 2018.  In addition to interesting conjectures with substantial data to support them and 1000's of lines of code generating said data, the project created awesome visualizations (images and 3D prints), a COS research award, an undergraduate honors thesis, a PhD thesis, a community of mathematicians (11 student participants, most in PhD programs or in professional scientific positions), and many fond memories.  This talk is about that story.

After: Lunch, outside if weather permits.

Time: Monday, April 18, 2022 - 10:30am-11:45am

Place: Exploratory Hall, Room 4106