News

Math Colloquium

Thursday, December 3, 2020
4:00pm-5:00pm

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/9016798003?pwd=eitGa20yeHpRQ0MwZDZwLzVMTElsQT09

Speaker: Kevin Sweet

Title: Modeling the Effect of Quorum-Sensing Regulated T6SS-Mediated Killing on Biofilms

Abstract: Bacterial interactions heavily impact how a biofilm forms, and how bacteria communicate impacts how they interact. One way that bacteria can communicate is through the production and sensing of quorum sensing molecules which regulate certain genetic expressions. It was our focus to model and analyze the relationship between quorum sensing regulated Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) mediated killing in two strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and biofilm structure. We constructed a deterministic two dimensional model that held the rate of quorum sensing molecule production constant in order to illustrate basic interactions between two bacterial strains and the effect that such interactions have on the biofilm’s development. By adding another dimension to our model we can more realistically show the effects that quorum sensing regulated T6SS mediated killing has on the biofilm’s structure based on the current state of the biofilm. This work illustrates how quorum sensing T6SS mediated killing contributes to overall biofilm structure.

Speaker: Abby Brauer

Title: Numerical Analysis of the 1-Dimensional Parabolic Optimal Transport Problem

Abstract: Numerical methods for the optimal transport problem is an active area of research. Recent work of Kitagawa and Abedin shows that the solution of a time-dependent equation converges exponentially fast, as time goes to infinity, to the solution of the optimal transport problem. This suggests a fast numerical algorithm for computing optimal maps; we investigate such an algorithm here in the 1-dimensional case. Specifically, we use a finite-difference scheme to solve the time-dependent optimal transport problem and carry out an error analysis of the scheme. A collection of numerical examples is also presented and discussed.

24 Hours of Triviality Questions!

Since we can’t get together for a senior dinner, the Math Department staff thought a trivia game would be fun! Some of the questions are trivia, some are just plain trivial.

We hope you join in!  Questions and links will also be emailed out to seniors!

The 80th annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, administered by the Mathematical Association of America was held on December 7, 2019. 4,229 students participants from 570 institutions participated in the competition. Eight of our students participated in this highly competitive mathematics contest and they all scored points.
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is a 6-hour exam which is voluntarily attempted by only the top math students in the United States and Canada, is considered the world’s toughest math test. The median score is often zero.

Miron Banjac
Abby Brauer
Linus D’Angeli Brogan
Minho Choi
Eric Daniel
Chris Karagiannis
Sean Richardson
Manu Skora

Congratulations to all of the above! We are very proud of all these students! Great Job!!

After building a 3D printer for a class during his senior year, John Kray BA ’17 enlisted the help of Zach Rose BA ’18 to build and sell innovative desktop 3D printers. Their most recent model is so easy to use that Lewis & Clark purchased one for the physics lab.

Saturday, September 14^th 2019

All students in a math or computer science class are invited. 

This is all-day event is free: The Department provides the post-hike dinner and games at a covered picnic site.

Please bring your own sack lunch for hikes.

We will be at Gleneden Beach Gazebo Area. Several lengths of hikes will be available for all levels.

Meet at 8:30 am in the Fir Acres Parking Lot.  (near Olin Science Bldg.) to carpool to the coast.

What to Bring:

Sack Lunch, Water Bottle, Layered Clothing, Jacket and Hat, Sturdy shoes, Sunblock, Day Pack, Optional beach toys

Job Title: Software Developer

Company: Microsoft

Team: Edge, Media and Transient Experiences

Topic: Math Meets Data

Transitioning from math proofs to natural language research.

Figuring out how to put theory into practice is not always straightforward. Real world data, especially natural language data, can put up quite a fight. In this talk, I will share my experience learning how to apply the lessons I learned in undergraduate math courses to medical research on the language of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Topics I will touch on include: natural language processing, data science, modeling, and dimensionality reduction.

Brian Dombeck- Assistant Professor, Economics, Lewis & Clark College

Topic: Learning vs News Shocks: What Drives Business Cycles?