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Pi Mu Epsilon Conference
April 13, 14 2012
Peter Engel Science Center
Saint John's University
Invited Speaker Ken Millett, UCSB
Ken Millett spent his first 17 years in Oconomowoc, WI before leaving for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a 1963 bachelor's degree in mathematics. He received a 1964 masters degree and a 1967 Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in mathematics as well. Following a post-doc at MIT, Ken became an assistant professor of at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1969 where he has remained, expect for research periods in England, Russia, France, Italy and, at other US institutions.
In 1983-4, interested in the work of Sam Edwards and Phillipe de Gennes, he spent a sabbatical leave in Paris, Cambridge (England) and Berkeley working on the consequences of knotting and linking, topological forms of entanglement, on biological and physical polymers via an application of some new ideas in topology and functional analysis. Jones' discovery of a new strategy to identify knotting stimulated collaboration with Lickorishon extensions of this strategy and the topological significance of these new "knot polynomials." At the same time, in additional to these mathematical developments, he began working with molecular biologists and polymer physicists on applications of these topological ideas to finding answers to some of fundamental problems concerning the biology and physics of macromolecules. For example: (1) How and why certain enzymes act upon DNA to change their topological structure? (2) What is the biological significance of the presence of knotted structures in proteins? and (3) How do the interactions of knotting and linking influence the properties of polymers in solution or in (denser) melts? These questions, in addition to purely mathematical considerations, guide his ongoing research.
In addition to his scientific research, Millett was the founding President and Executive Director of the California Coalition for Mathematics and Science. He was a member and chair of the Advisory Board of the California Mathematics Project. Ken has served as the University of California's academic delegate to the College Board as well as Chair of its Western Regional Council. He has served as member of the Board of Governors, the chair of the Committee on the Mathematical Education of Teachers, and a member of the Science Policy Committee of the Mathematical Association of America. Ken has served as the chair of the Mathematics Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The Mathematical Association of America, in 1988 awarded him the Carl B. Allendoerfer award and, in 1991, awarded him the ChauvenetPrize for an article on knot theory he wrote with Lickorish. In 1998, he received the Award for Distinguished Public Service from the American Mathematical Society in recognition of his work to encourage mathematical careers for women and underrepresented students. Ken was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2000 and was recognized as a "Giant in Science" by the QEM/MSE.
Tentative Schedule:
Friday:
Student talks from 7-8 pm (talks are 20 minutes)
Invited speaker lecture 1: 8-9 Pellengrene Auditorium
"The Nature of Knotting"
All of us have experience with knots, in our hair, garden hoses, cords for vacuum cleaners and computers, but what do we really know about them? In this talk, we will explore some of their manifestations in the natural sciences that have lead to the development of mathematical ways to analyze them. We will investigate some basic questions concerning "physical knots," both conceptually as well as trying get a real sense of properties and importance in nature.
Saturday:
8-9 breakfast in PE 269
9-10.30 student speakers
Invited Speaker Talk 2: 10.30 - 11.30 Pellengrene Auditorium
"Leonardo's Knots"
Moving from physical to the artistic knots, this talk will describe the presence knotting in the work of Leonardo di Vinci. We will look at some of his paintings and try to analyze some of his graphic work during his time in Milan in the late 15thcentury. Part history, part art, part geometry and part topology, this talk will explore some new facets of Leonardo's understanding of form and structure. We will consider the mathematical foundations of the forms visible in this body of work, try to understand how and why these forms were constructed in this specific manner and, speculate on the meaning that they encode within their forms.
All talks will be held in thePeter Engel Science Center. If you are a student interested in giving a talk please fill out responses to the following questions here. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact Dr. Kris Nairn at knairn@csbsju.edu.
Where to Stay
Saint John's University is located 10 miles west of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Driving directions to SJU can be found here. Transportation to and from St. Cloud will be provided to those who request it. Some free on-campus lodging will be available for students willing to share a dorm room (bring a sleeping bag). Ample motel accommodations are available in the St. Cloud area:
- Super 8, St Joseph: 320-363-7711 or 800-800-8000
- Super 8, St Cloud: 320-253-5530 or 800-800-8000
- Budgetel, St Cloud: 320-253-4444 or 800-428-3438
- Comfort Inn, St Cloud: 320-251-1500 or 800-424-6423
- Country Inn and Suites: 320-252-8282
- Holiday Inn, St Cloud: 320-253-9000
- Quality Inn, St Cloud: (320) 251-1500
- Motel 6, Waite Park: 320-253-7070
- AmericInn, Avon: 320-356-2211
Former Conference Speakers
- 2011 William Dunham
- 2010 Claudia Neuhauser
- 2009 Joe Gallian
- 2007 Carlos Castillo-Chavez
- 2006 Edward Burger
- 2005 Jennifer Quinn
- 2004 Frank Farris
- 2003 Colin Adams
- 2002 David Bressoud
- 2001 Underwood Dudley
- 2000 Sam Patterson
- 1999 Robert L. Devaney
- 1998 Richard Guy
- 1997 Ron Graham
- 1996 Frank Morgan
- 1995 Carl Pomerance
- 1994 Philip Straffin
- 1993 Thomas Banchoff
- 1992 Judith Grabiner
- 1991 Raymond Smullyan
- 1990 Joan Hutchinson
- 1989 Richard Askey
- 1988 Sherman Stein
- 1987 Reuben Hersh
- 1986 Peter Hilton
- 1985 I.N. Herstein
- 1984 Ruth Struik
- 1983 Joan Fisher Box, George Box
- 1982 Alfred Willcox(in conjunction with the North Central Section Meeting)
- 1981 Doris Schattschneider, Leonard Gillman, Don Koehler
- 1980 Mary Ellen Rudin
- 1979 Paul Halmos
Lectures will be geared toward a general audience
Funding for travel to SJU Pi Mu Epsilon conference is provided by NSF grant DMS‐0846477 through the MAA Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conferences program, http://www.maa.org/RUMC