The award recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement and outstanding contributions to a field of knowledge. Some of the most prolific scholars in the Faculty of Mathematics have held Research Chairs, and this year’s recipients continue the trend of excellence.
Kirsten Morris is a professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics. The research chair recognizes her lasting contributions to the area of control and approximation of distributed parameter systems. She established conditions for numerical algorithms used in controller design that ensure convergence and stability when the controller is applied to the underlying partial differential equation modelling the system. She extended this line of research to that of optimal actuator/sensor placement and provided theoretical results on well-posedness of the combined design/synthesis problem as well as implementable algorithms. This area is now becoming of major interest in the field.
Matthew Satriano is an associate professor in the Department of Pure Mathematics. He was awarded the research chair for his contributions to multiple areas of mathematics, including algebraic geometry (with an emphasis on stacks) and arithmetic dynamics. Notable contributions include a vast extension of the classical Chevalley-Shephard-Todd theorem and a proof for an important conjecture of Medvedev-Scanlon for semiabelian varieties.
Math Faculty Research Chairs are appointed through the Math Research Office. Learn more about the award and the criteria for nominations and appointments at this link.