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COMING UP
Check out two exciting events celebrating Mathematics by Texas State community:
MATH IN SPACE
AND THE UNBREAKABLE BONDS OF STEM
LOOKING FOR LIFE IN THE GALAXY
Friday, April 19, 2024
2 pm – 3 pm – main presentation
3 – 4 pm – meet & greet
Location: Derrick Hall 113
Reception with speaker in attendance follows the presentation
The invited speaker is Dr. Chenoa Tremblay
ABSTRACT
Science is believed to have existed for over 8000 years, and only in the last century have we begun to categorize human curiosity and exploration into unique categories such as math and science. When we attempt to define the interconnection between pure forms of science and mathematics, we are left with many grey areas. This is evident in the story of Newton when he picked up an astrology (now astronomy) book at a market and didn’t understand what he was reading. As a result, he purchased a geometry book and taught himself in order to gain a deeper understanding of astronomy. As geometry was no longer sufficient to understand the stars, he is said to have developed calculus. I have experienced this in my own life. During my transition from being a chemist to studying astronomy and physics, I took a year of mathematics courses at a local university until I was able to pursue a degree in physics. Now as a radio astronomer and group leader mathematics takes a central focus in everything I do; from using Fourier transforms to convert voltages traveling through a radio telescope to images of the sky to placing statistical limits to interpret the data to wish I was an actuary as I balance budgets and grant funding.
As part of this presentation, I will discuss the connections between mathematics, physics, and astronomy that are used in modern science as well as the non-standard route I took in my own career to study these topics. Also, I will discuss my current research to study stars, chemistry, and the prevalence of intelligent life in the Universe while also building large digital systems and supercomputers. Through curiosity, patience, and time I have come to realize that all areas of STEM are sides of an interconnected block, and being open-minded to each side and learning from others has resulted in the successes of my career so far.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Chenoa Tremblay is the SETI Institute Project Scientist for the Commensal Open-Source Multimode Interferometer Cluster (COSMIC) on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array which is designed to complete an all-sky search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Prior to this role, Chenoa worked at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, the Australian national science agency, and has over 20 years of experience working in industry research and development in the field of analytical chemistry. She received her PhD at Curtin University in Western Australia in 2018 and has been involved with building and commissioning a number of low-frequency radio telescopes including the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP). Chenoa is the current board-appointed chair of the MWA Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy science group, a Project Scientist for an international collaboration aimed to study the large-scale structures of the Galaxy through the detection of neutral hydrogen and the hydroxyl molecule, and a principal investigator on a number of science programs with the ATA, VLA, VLBA, GBT, MWA, and ASKAP telescopes designed to study the potential for life in the Galaxy, how big stars form, and create programs to get school children involved in the search.
Thank you for your Support
Texas State University Lecturers Series. Texas Mathworks. Honors College and Department of Mathematics at Texas State University
JULIA ROBINSON MATHEMATICS FESTIVAL
Saturday, April 20, 2024
12 – 4 pm (door open at noon)
Thank you to the amazing Texas State student team for their leadership and work organizing the Texas State Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival:
Michala Gradner, Abdullah Kamal, Eirian Whitson, Cameron Poole, and Joel Pedroza.
A word from the organizers:
This festival is not your typical math event; it’s a vibrant celebration that will showcase
the fun and applicability of mathematics in our daily lives. Hosted by the Texas State University chapter of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and the San Marcos Public Library, our festival aims to bridge the gap between the university and our local community. Through engaging activities and interactive exhibits, we hope to demonstrate that math is more than just a subject—it’s an integral part of the world around us.
Get ready to dive into a world of mathematical wonder with a variety of games and challenges, including “Skyscrapers” and “Cup Stacking,” as well as intriguing puzzles like the “Four Color Challenge.” Our participating organizations, including SIAM, Math Club, Texas MathWorks, Pi Mu Epsilon, and Bobcat Racing, will be hosting booths with activities tailored to math enthusiasts ages 5 and above. We’ll have dedicated volunteers stationed throughout the venue to supervise activities and ensure a safe and exciting environment for all participants
Join us as we celebrate Math and Statistics Awareness Month and embark on a journey of discovery at the Julia Robinson Math Festival.
For more information or media inquiries, please reach out to Michala Gradner at mng115@txstate.edu.
See you there!
PAST EVENTS
Here is a list of connections between mathematics and other areas that we have been exploring. Take a look by clicking on each link:
2023 – Reality & Math: Artistic mathematics: truth and beauty
2022 – Ethics & Math: Algorithms, Fairness, and Social Good
2021 – Epidemics & Math: Mathematics, Data & Disease
2020 – Politics & Math: Graphs, Geometry & Gerrymandering
2019 – Music & Math: Creativity & Innovation
2018 – Art & Math: How To Mathematically Immerse Yourself in the Work of Art