Elizabethtown College hosted the Tetrahedral Geometry and Topology Seminar (TGTS) for a presentation of advanced mathematical research by Neal Stoltzfus, a Professor Emeritus of Louisiana State University on Nov. 3.
“Small research seminars play a vital role in keeping faculty intellectually active and engaged with a community of scholars,” Elizabethtown College Professor of Mathematics James Hughes said. “Involvement in such seminars contributes positively not only to faculty research productivity but also to the breadth and depth of experience faculty bring to their teaching.”
Stoltzfus presented on braid groups, algebraic objects that arise in several topological topics like knot theory, configuration spaces, and theoretical physics. Stoltzfus also discussed progress in an ongoing effort to understand the structure of braid groups.
TGTS members from multiple, regional institutions, along with current Etown students attended his presentation.
TGTS is a research seminar started more than 20 years ago by Ron Umble, a Professor of Mathematics at Millersville University. Umble recognized the need for a specialized research seminar for academics with research interests in geometry and topology and created the seminar. TGTS now includes faculty from Etown, Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, Lebanon Valley College, and West Chester University.
The seminar meets three times each semester, rotating the location between member institutions. Presenters include regular attendees and invitees who research in the field of topology and geometry. Elizabethtown College also hosted the September meeting of TGTS with presenter Naruki Masuda, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University who presented on infinity categories. TGTS meetings are open to the public.
