Message from the Chair

This semester has marked a return to normal academic life . Classes are in person, and it’s wonderful to have lectures and events on campus again.

As usual, our faculty and grad students are doing interesting research. You can read the cover story about the adventures of two of our grad students at Sea Ice School in the Canadian Arctic.

In July, Distinguished Professor Christopher Hacon was reappointed as the Trevor James McMinn Professor in the Department of Mathematics. Distinguished Professor Hacon held the inaugural McMinn Chair for five years, a term that ended last June. His work has been groundbreaking, and he is recognized internationally as a mathematical scientist of the highest caliber, whose work has motivated and impacted the next generation of brilliant algebraic geometers. We are thrilled that he has been reappointed to the position.

Mathematicians in the department have found that they can design a range of composite materials from moiré patterns created by rotating and stretching one lattice relative to another. According to Distinguished Professor Ken Golden, the mathematics and physics of these twisted lattices apply to a wide variety of material properties. You can read more about moiré patterns on page 6.

Each fall we announce our year-end campaign. As always, we are grateful and honored to have alumni and friends of the department support our efforts. This year, we are asking for donations to student scholarships. For more information, please see the article on page 12.

Best regards,

Davar Khoshnevisan Professor and Chair Department of Mathematics