Akshay Venkatesh, Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University, is the AMSI-Mahler Lecturer for 2013.
WHO?
Professor Akshay Venkatesh
Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University
AMSI-Mahler Lecturer 2013
WHAT?
AMSI-Mahler Lecturer 2013: Akshay Venkatesh
The Mahler lectures are a biennial activity organised by the Australian Mathematical Society, and supported by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI), in which a prominent mathematician tours Australian universities giving lectures at a variety of levels, including several public lectures.
WHEN & WHERE:
23 September – 11 October 2013
Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Wollongong
WHY?
The Mahler Lectureship can be likened to a rock band on tour – delighting fans with their music. However, the Mahler tour is a one man stand-up gig – delighting audiences with mathematical prowess.
“The biannual Mahler Lecture series is an important component of Australian research mathematics. It has seen some of the worlds top mathematicians lecture throughout the country. Professor Venkatesh is a young, inspiring and innovative mathematician – his lectures are keenly anticipated,” President of AustMS, Peter Forrester said.
Professor Venkatesh grew up in the 90s, in Perth. Shy of his 12th birthday, Akshay became Australia’s first – and to this day only – Mathlete. Winning medals at both the International Mathematics and International Physics Olympiads.
He moved from Perth to Princeton, and started his PhD “Limiting forms of the trace formula” when he was 17. He has been a Professor of Mathematics at Stanford since 2008 and will grace our shores this Spring.
When asked, “Why should we care about your research?” Akshay replied:
“It is difficult to say something about my research specifically that is of broad interest. But you care because number theory provides many of the tools for modern cryptography, which is ubiquitous on the internet. For example, whenever you buy something securely online, your computer uses a little bit of number theory to ensure the safety of your information.”
For the academically inclined Akshay’s research interests are in the field of number theory, and he’s particularly interested in its interactions with other branches of mathematics, such as dynamics and topology. In 2008 he won the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for outstanding contributions to areas of mathematics influenced by the genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.
INTERVIEW: Professor Akshay Venkatesh
CONTACT: Stephanie Pradier, AMSI M: 0424 568 314 E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
