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Spring 2026 Seminar Talks

Spring 2026 Talks

 

Note: Schedule below lists upcoming Fall 2025 Thursdays. Please reach out if you would like to give a talk.

 

Mon-Feb 2, 2026
Introduction to Ramsey Theory: Bounds and Examples
Seth Eisenberger
Abstract: Introduction to the definition of the Ramsey numbers for two-colorings of graphs, proof of Ramsey’s Theorem for two-colorings, proofs of R(3,3)=6 and R(3,4)=9, lower bound on R(k,k) using probabilistic method, statement of Ramsey’s Theorem for n-colorings.

Mon-Feb 9, 2026
(1+1)-dimensional TQFT and Frobenius algebras
Yikai Teng
Abstract: n this talk, we introduce the cobordism category, with a focus on 2-dimensional case. Moreover, we show that there is a weak equivalence between the 2d TQFTs and the Frobenius algebras. This is the first talk in the mini lecture series: an introduction of Khovanov homology.

Mon-Feb 16, 2026
The seminar for this week will be cancelled due to conflict with the Department Colloquium. (https://sites.rutgers.edu/mathematics-colloquium/) We provide the info of speaker and title below for convenience.
Unblocking AI: Understanding and Overcoming Datacenter Network Bottlenecks in Distributed AI
Soudeh Ghorbani (Johns Hopkins)

Mon-Feb 23, 2026

The seminar for this week will be cancelled due to severe snowstorm.

Mon-Mar 2, 2026
The seminar for this week will be cancelled due to conflict with the Department Colloquium (Distinguished Lectures in Topology, Geometry, and Physics). We provide the info of speaker and title below for convenience.
Braids and monodromy in topological data analysis 
Erin Chambers (Notre Dame)

Mon-Mar 9, 2026

Please Note: This seminar starts at 6:30 PM.
Some function spaces
Yang Zhang
Abstract: This is the first talk of introduction to PDEs. We begin from the definition of distribution and give the definition of Sobolev space.
Mon-Mar 16, 2026
Spring Recess, No Talk

Mon-Mar 23, 2026

Break Week

Mon-Mar 30, 2026

The seminar for this week will be cancelled due to conflict with the Department Colloquium. (https://sites.rutgers.edu/mathematics-colloquium/) We provide the info of speaker and title below for convenience.
From complete Calabi-Yau metrics to optimal transportation, and back again
Tristan Collins (Toronto)

Starting from April 4, we will begin a one-month special session on homological algebra. See Mini-course on Homological Algebra for details.

Mon-Apr 6, 2026

Please Note: This seminar starts at 6:30 PM.
SObolev inequalities
Yang Zhang
Abstract: Continuing from the last time, we will give the important Sobolev inequality and its consequences.

Mon-Apr 13, 2026

Introduction to Sheaf Cohomology and the De Rham Theorem
Vakul Raghavan
Abstract: In this talk we cover the fundamentals of sheaves, cohomology on sheaves, briefly introduce the De Rham cohomology and conclude with a proof of the De Rham Theorem. We hope it serves as a refresher to those familiar with cohomology theory and a gentle introduction to those who are not.
Mon-Apr 20, 2026
Please Note: This seminar starts at 6:30 PM.
Existence and regularity of weak solution
Yang Zhang
Abstract: Continuing from the last time, we will give the definition of weak solutions and discuss the existence and regularity of them.

Mon-Apr 27, 2026
An introduction to classical Khovanov homology
Yikai Teng

Abstract: Since the turn of the century, Khovanov homology has become an essential tool in the study of 3- and 4-manifolds. In this talk, we introduce (classical) Khovanov homology for knots and links in $S^3$ from a categorical point of view, i.e., as a functor from the cobordism category of dimension (3,1) to the category of bigraded modules, following the work of [BN05]. This is the second talk in the mini lecture series: an introduction of Khovanov homology.

Mon-May 4, 2026
An introduction to Khovanov skein lasagna modules
Yikai Teng
Abstract: Classically, Khovanov homology is an isotopy invariant for knots and links in $S^3$. Skein lasagna modules is an adaptation of Khovanov homology defined for knots and links in an arbitrary 3-manifold viewed as the boundary of some 4/2-manifold pair. In this talk we give an abstract definition for skein lasagna modules, and introduce a (relatively) easy way to calculate it for surfaces in 2-handlebodies. This is the third and last talk in the mini lecture series: an introduction of Khovanov homology.

Thank you for attending, and we will see you again in Fall 2026!