MESSAGE FROM THE
DIRECTOR
The beginning of 2018 has been an exciting time
for the Fields Institute. In addition to our busy
schedule of scientific and outreach activities,
we are launching an ambitious new program:
the Fields Centre for Quantitative Analysis and
Modelling (Fields-CQAM).
This research centre, made possible by a
$4 million dollar investment from the Province,
will position Ontario as the international leader
in developing advanced mathematical methods
for the emerging knowledge economy. Fields-
CQAM will establish innovative partnerships
between industry, government, and research
scientists through startups and industry-
academia laboratories, introducing highly
qualified people and their innovations into
Ontario’s economy.
Our major thematic program on Emerging
Challenges in Mathematical Biology developed
new links between the mathematical and
biological science communities. Participants
pushed the frontier of mathematical biology
by using mathematical models to understand
environmental issues, computer-aided drug
design and discovery, evolutionary relationships
in complex pollination networks, and much
more. The two-month focus program, Nanoscale
Systems and Coupled Phenomena, brought
forward perspectives from quantum physics,
and revealed some fascinating connections
with biology through the modelling of cellular
systems.
This summer and fall, we are engaging in
a focus program on Poisson Geometry and
Physics (June 1-July 31), the Fields-CQAM
Undergraduate Summer Research Program
(July 3-August 31), and the major thematic
program on Teichmüller Theory and its
Connections to Geometry, Topology and
Dynamics (July 1-December 31).
I would also like to introduce new members
of our staff to the Fields community.
Zainab Coovadia is the new communications
officer. Brittany Camp, Jonathan Farrow,
and June Rockwell have joined as program
coordinators, and Alexandra Raposo is the
new development and partnerships officer.
The dedication and creativity of all our staff
is essential to the future success of the Fields
Institute.
We are looking forward to this year’s Fields
Medal Symposium (November 5-9) to honour
the late Maryam Mirzakhani (Fields Medallist
2014) and to celebrate her mathematical
achievements with a stellar scientific program.
Professor Amie Wilkinson (University of Chicago)
will present the Opening Public Lecture at
7:00 p.m. on November 5, and I hope that many
of you will attend and spread the word about
this exciting event.
The Fields Institute continues to bring together
researchers from Canada and around the world
to create the mathematics that will shape our
future. As always, the success of this enterprise
depends on the generous funding provided by
our partners and sponsors, and the enthusiastic
support of our community.
Ian Hambleton
Director
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