Seventh Annual Research Day
School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics
21 April 2016
Lectures take place in AC201
9.15-9.30
9.30-9.45
9.45-10.30
10.30-11.00
11.00-11.30
11.30-12.00
Co↵ee break, lunch, poster session and reception take place in the
Orbsen Building Atrium
Dr Ray Ryan
Welcome by the Head of School
Prof Lokesh Joshi
Welcome by the Vice-President for Research
Prof Werner Nahm FRS (Dublin IAS)
Title: Quantum fields and automorphic forms
Abstract: Quantum fields are among the most essential tools for
modern physics, but have not made it into the toolkit of mathematicians yet. The talk will show how mathematicians can handle
them. As an example the construction of automorphic forms for the
mapping class group of Riemann surfaces will be described, starting
with tori and modular forms.
Co↵ee (Orbsen Building)
Dr Marianne Leitner (NUIG)
Title: Graphene and Grothendieck
Abstract: The quantum Hall e↵ect is one of the most spectacular
features of solid state physics. It has a nice description in terms of
Chern classes and the slope of vector bundles, a dominant theme of
20th century mathematics. Graphene displays a peculiar quantum
Hall e↵ect which seems to demand new mathematical structures.
Dr Jim Cruickshank (NUIG)
Title: Geometric Rigidity Theory
Abstract: Consider a collection of objects that are joined together
by hinges. Is the resulting structure rigid? This is the basic question at the heart of geometric rigidity theory. There is a growing
literature that considers various types of objects, hinges and notions of rigidity. The theory draws on real algebraic geometry,
graph theory, matroid theory and linear algebra. It is also notable
for its diverse domains of application - from protein flexibility to
structural engineering to modern art. I will present a brief survey
of some of the highlights of the mathematical theory and mention
some problems that remain open.
12.00-12.30
12.30-14.00
14.00-14.45
14.45-15.30
15.30-17.00
16:00-17.00
Cara Dooley (NUIG)
Title: Analysing Observational Studies
Abstract: Randomised control trials, where the experimenter allocates each individual at random to the treatment or control group,
are considered the gold-standard for design of studies interested in
estimating treatment e↵ects. However, there are many situations
where we cannot allocate treatment at random, for example, for
ethical or cost reasons. In these situations we carry out an observational study. To properly analyse an observational study, thought
needs to be given to both the design and analysis of the data. Using tools including propensity scores and matching we can create
a quasi-randomised trial and remove bias from the estimate of the
treatment e↵ect.
Lunch
Prof Giuseppe Saccomandi (Universita di Perugia &
NUIG)
Title: On the Equations Governing Nonlinear Symmetric Kirchho↵’s Elastic Rods
Abstract: A systematic study of the equations governing nonlinear
geometric Kirchho↵’s Elastic Rods is provided. We discuss the
integrability of the general case and we investigate some special
solutions. In particular we characterise all the possible solutions
that are Lancret’s helices.
Research blitz (Organizer: Dr Rachel Quinlan)
Twelve 5-minute research talks.
Poster session (Orbsen Building)
Reception & poster prizes (Orbsen Building)