Abstracts of Plenary Talks at the Olga Taussky Todd Celebration, July 16-18, 1999
“Fraulein Dr. Taussky in Vienna and Gottingen”
Abstract: Olga Taussky from 1925 till 1934 — her first years as number theorist in Vienna and Gottingen (1931/32); her teachers and colleagues: Philip Furtwangler, Wilhelm Wirtinger, Hans Hahn, Karl Menger, Kurt Godel, . . .; class field theory, class field tower, group theory.
Christa Binder
Mathematik
Vienna Technical University (Technische Universität Wien)
Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/1141
A-1040 Wien AUSTRIA
Phone: 01-58801-11415
Fax: 01-58801-11499
Email: christa.binder@tuwien.ac.at
“Looking Back …..Looking Ahead”
Abstract: The speaker reflects on growing up in the nation’s capital at a time when schools in the city were segregated by race, and being the beneficiary of excellent academic training provided by dedicated teachers. She looks ahead at what can be done to provide quality mathematics education to every child in the United States.
Evelyn Boyd Granville
Professor Emerita, California State University, Los Angeles and
Visiting Professor of Mathematics, Sam A. Lindsey Chair
The University of Texas at Tyler, 1990 – 1997
c/o 852 Van Zandt County Road 4907
Ben Wheeler, TX 75754
Phone: 903-852-6709
Email: egranville@tyler.net
“Portfolio Risk: Diversification in Volatile Markets”
Abstract: Recent turbulence in world financial markets has brought financial risk management to the forefront of the news. This talk reviews the recent history and mathematical underpinnings of financial risk management. We outline a factor risk model for international bonds and discuss its performance during volatile periods.
Lisa R. Goldberg
Manager, International Fixed Income Research
BARRA, Inc.
2100 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: 510-548-5442
Email: lisa.goldberg@barra.com
“Measurement Science and Measure Theory: A Mathematician at NIST today”
Abstract: We will discuss the role of a mathematician at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The author will report on work on NIST applications that made use of probability theory as well as some non-mathematical talents.
Fern Y. Hunt
Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division 8910
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899
Phone: 301-975-3887
Fax: 301-990-4127
Email: fern.hunt@nist.gov
“Statistics: Is it Really A Mathematical Science?”
Abstract: This talk will touch on why statistics is and is not a mathematical science, and why this is an exciting time to be a statistician, mathematical or otherwise.
Diane Lambert
Statistics and Data Mining Research
Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies
Room 2C-256, 600 Mountain Avenue
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
Phone: 908-582-6509
Fax: 908-582-3340
Email: dl@bell-labs.com
“Problems, including mathematical problems, from my early years”
Abstract: In my early years, that is from 1945 to 1957 I was supported at what is now the Courant Institute on big grants. I did not teach but was instead a research assistant or associate. I spent one year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in a similar way. This meant working on other people’s problems and only later on my own. This talk is about how that all worked out.
Cathleen Synge Morawetz
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
New York University
251 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012-1110
Phone: 212-998-3297
Email: morawetz@cims.nyu.edu
“Math, with an Attitude”
Abstract: We describe from experience how it is possible to start out in the mathematical sciences and end up working on practically everything.
Linda R. Petzold
Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering
University of California, Santa Barbara
Engr. 2 Bldg., Room 2355
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5070
Phone: 805-893-5362
Fax: 805-893-5435
Email: petzold@engineering.ucsb.edu
URL: http://www.engineering.ucsb.edu/~cse
“Numbers, Matrices, and Commutativity”
Abstract: Olga Taussky Todd was interested in a diverse range of mathematical topics and published over 170 research papers between 1931 and 1991. She is best know for her work in number theory and matrix theory. This talk will focus on some of her contributions to matrix theory.
Helene Shapiro
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Phone: 610-328-8566
Email: hshapir1@swarthmore.edu
“A Selection of Mathematical Experiences”
Abstract: I’ll describe highlights of some interesting mathematical experiences from work at Stanford University and Bell Laboratories. A common theme in all cases will be mathematical underpinnings and research arising from practical applications.
Margaret H. Wright
Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies
Room 2C-462, 600 Mountain Avenue
Murray Hill, NJ 07974-2008
Phone: 908-582-3498
Email: mhw@research.bell-labs.com
“Following my interest”
Abstract: In this talk, I will talk about reasons why I chose to come to Microsoft, my experience transitioning to industry, some of the interesting problems that I have worked on at Microsoft, and some of the conclusions I have drawn about my experiences.
Lani Wu
Technical Lead
Microsoft Corporation
c/o 16134 N.E. 44th Court
Redmond, WA 98952
Email: laniw@microsoft.com