Plenary Speakers

We are delighted to welcome the following plenary speakers to the meeting:

Charmaine Dean (Statistics, Simon Fraser University)
    Title:  "Spatial and Mixture Models for the Analysis of Recurrent Events"
   Abstract

Christopher Essex (Applied Mathematics, University of Western Ontario)
    Title:  "Why numerical analysis matters"
    Abstract

Anthony To-Ming Lau (Abstract Harmonic Analysis, University of Alberta)
    Title:  "Fixed point property for Banach algebras associated to locally compact groups"
    Abstract

Ortrud Oellermann (Graph Theory, University of Winnipeg)
    Title:  "The different dimensions of distance in graphs"
    Abstract
   

Participant List (updated April 29)

Contributed Talks

Contributed talks will be 20 - 25 minutes in length. All plenary lectures and contributed talks will take place in the Engineering & Information Technology Complex.

Schedule and abstracts for plenary lectures and contributed talks. 

Student Workshop (April 30, Organizers: Eric Schippers (Manitoba), Anna Stokke (Winnipeg))

The first day of the conference will feature a student workshop aimed at graduate students and senior undergraduate students.  The aim of the workshop is to give students a sense of the nature of mathematical research. Participants will see some of the possibilities for applying their mathematical and statistical skills to pure and applied research in both academia and industry. The workshop will follow the model of the previous two student workshops, which were held in 2008 at Brandon University and in 2009 at the University of Saskatchewan. Four speakers will discuss their research areas in statistics, complex analysis, numerical analysis and functional analysis. The workshop will close with a panel discussion, where students and the speakers will discuss such topics as graduate school and career options in mathematics and statistics.

Students are encouraged to seek travel funding from their respective universities and/or supervisors.  We expect to be able to provide partial funding at the conference level so be sure to mention your student status when registering.

Student workshop schedule (April 30):

The student workshop will take place in the Engineering and Information Technology Complex (EITC).

Room : E2-150 (EITC)

9:30 - 10:30 Eric Schippers (Complex Analysis, University of Manitoba)
Title:  The Hyperbolic Metric in Geometric Function Theory
Abstract

10:45 - 11:45 Ross Stokke (Functional Analysis, University of Winnipeg)
Title:  Amenable Groups
Abstract

11:45 - 1:30  Lunch, University Club

1:30 - 2:30 Shaun Lui (Numerical Analysis, University of Manitoba)
Title: Calculus of Variations
Abstract

2:45 - 3:45  Jeff Babb (Statistics, University of Winnipeg)
Title:  A Career in Statistics
Abstract

4:00 - 5:00   Question & Answer Session                                                
Topic:  Graduate studies and careers in mathematics & statistics
 

Open Discussion on the Funding of "Small Science"

Time: April 30,  1 - 3 PM
Place: E2-160
Refreshments served (Sponsored by PNRMS 2010 and PDMW 2010)

How are current trends in funding of mathematical science in Canada liable to affect researchers working on independent projects falling outside prioritized areas? Is our national funding formula well-equipped to identify and prioritize high-risk, high payoff initiatives and promising new talent? Do elements of the system hamper the direction of funding toward such innovation, or to grass-roots mid-career established scientists needing modest support for promising new directions in research whose merit may fail to be recognized within traditional paradigms of peer review?

In 2008 Chris Essex (UWO, currently on the NSERC board) and Lee Smolin (U. Waterloo and founding member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics) presented a paper to NSERC addressing these questions and proposing a "venture capital" model for funding "small science"; the response so far has been negative.

Chris, who is among us as a plenary session speaker for PNRMS, will present a short summary of the ideas behind this position paper and solicit feedback from mathematicians in the Prairie constituency. An open discussion about matters pertaining to "small science" will ensue. Come and share your own story. This is a unique opportunity for your voice to be heard.
 

Accommodation

When booking accommodation, to get the rate below, you should mention that you are attending the PNRMS Meeting at the University of Manitoba.

Prairie Discrete Mathematics Workshop VII

Participants may also be interested in attending the Prairie Discrete Mathematics Workshop VII, which takes place at the University of Manitoba, April 28, 29 immediately prior to the PNRMS meeting.  Please consult the website for more information.

Sponsors

Additional Information