Newsletter 2015 2014 – 2016 2015
Hamilton Mathematics Institute The Hamilton Mathematics Institute (HMI) at Trinity College Dublin is delighted to announce that the Simons Foundation, based in the United States, has awarded the institute a grant to develop a Simons Distinguished Visiting Professor, Simons Visiting Scholar and a Simons Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. The foundation exists to support discovery-driven scientific research, undertaken in pursuit of understanding the phenomena of our world. The HMI and the Trinity School of Mathematics are closely aligned and the institute is co-located within the School building. The HMI Director, Professor Samson Shatashvili holds the University Chair in Natural Philosophy (1847). The grant was awarded through the Simons Foundation’s programme of ‘Targeted Grants to Institutes’ to support centres of excellence in mathematics and physical sciences
by providing funding to establish scientific culture and strengthen contacts within the international scientific community. The Simons Foundation funds two to three institutions annually and the HMI joins an elite group of mathematical institutes that are supported in this way. Professor Samson Shatashvili, the HMI Director said: “This support from the Simons Foundation to the HMI will provide significant energy to the institute and allow us to extend
our national and international role by building on the many strengths that already exist and by stimulating and nurturing mathematics research with renewed vigour. This is the first time an Irish University has received institutional support from the Simons Foundation and it will enable the HMI to bring about a step-change in mathematical activity by giving mathematics a central role in Ireland’s scientific community; attract leading international mathematicians and theoretical physicists to Ireland; and create the conditions for greater collaboration and the exchange of ideas and expertise through our workshops, seminars and conferences.”
Professor Samson Shatashvili, Director of the Hamilton Mathematics Institute
Hamilton Scholars and Fellows The School of Mathematics is pleased to announce the creation of two positions, a Hamilton Postdoctoral Fellowship and Hamilton Scholarship in Pure Mathematics. The Hamilton Fellowship has been awarded to Dr Victoria Lebed following an international competition. This is a three year post combining research and teaching, commencing in September 2016. Dr Lebed is currently working as a postdoc at Jean Leray Mathematics Institute in Nantes, France. This
Dr Victoria Lebed
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postdoctoral position has been created with generous support from an anonymous donor. The School is also in the process of awarding a Hamilton Scholarship in Pure Mathematics, to commence in 2016. The scholarship has been created with generous support from a Londonbased alumnus, Kieran Higgins (Class of 1995) and Corvil – a data analytics company founded by Trinity Mathematics alumni. The successful candidate will focus on several complex variables and algebraic geometry and will work directly with Professor Andreea Nicoara, the Accenture Associate Professor in Mathematics. The two new Hamilton appointments will further strengthen the research and teaching capacity of the School. The Hamilton Scholars and Fellows Programme is a philanthropic initiative that aims to attract and support the best Irish and international students to carry out research; strengthen the School’s capacity in teaching; and work at the frontier of mathematics and theoretical physics. Scholarships are
awarded to Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral fellows of outstanding talent from Ireland and internationally. The first Hamilton Ph.D. Scholarship was awarded to Argia Rubeo in 2014, with seed funding from Trinity’s Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, and the generous support of Trinity’s US alumni. If you are interested in finding out more about the Hamilton Fellows and Scholars programme or if you would like information on how to get involved as a supporter, please visit our website or https://www.maths.tcd.ie/alumni/ Hamilton_Scholars.php or contact: Professor Sinéad Ryan, School of Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin 01-8961267 / ryan@maths.tcd.ie Sinéad Pentony, Associate Director, Trinity Development and Alumni, Trinity College Dublin 01-8964564 / sinead.pentony@tcd.ie