In this issue of the Newsletter

Milestones and Prizes

Congratulations to John Pardon on winning the New Horizons in Mathematics Prize for important results in geometry and topology, particularly in the field of symplectic geometry and pseudo-holomorphic curves, which are certain types of smooth surfaces in manifolds.

From Billiard Dynamics to Riemann Surfaces

From Billiard Dynamics to Riemann Surfaces. By Samuel Grushevsky Teichmuller Dynamics via Algebraic Geometry

Random Paths and Purpose: A Conversation with Scott Sheffield

Random Paths and Purpose: A Conversation with Scott Sheffield. Interview by Evita Nestoridi

Random Paths to Quantum Field Theory

Random Paths to Quantum Field Theory. By Antti Kupiainen

TIMELESS AND BORDERLESS ADVENTURE: Conversation with Cumrun Vafa

Dr. Cumrun Vafa sits down with Maria Shtilmark after receiving the 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics along with Drs. Joseph Polchinski and Andrew Strominger for his research in transformative advances in quantum field theory, string theory, and quantum gravity.

Remembering Our Colleague Joseph Polchinski

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joseph (Joe) Polchinski has died on February 2, 2018. Polchinski made fundamental contributions to Quantum Field Theory and String theory. Joe is best known for his discovery of D-branes – the key elements of string theory.  For his many contributions to theoretical physics Joseph Polchinski has … Read more

Simons Summer Workshop: July 16 – August 10, 2018

  This Workshop is the eleventh conducted by the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics at Stony Brook and the Sixteenth in the series Simons Summer Workshops. One of the predictions of string theory is that certain apparently consistent quantum field theories cannot be consistently coupled to quantum gravity—they do not arise from consistent string … Read more

Simons Center Cafe – Under New Management by Lessing’s

Effective January 2, 2018, the Simons Center Cafe has transitioned to new management under the direction of Executive Chef Eric Werner, of Lessing’s. We welcome you to come and try a new taste experience! The new Simons Center Cafe will continue to serve breakfast and lunch daily (Monday – Friday) from 8:30am – 11:30am and 11:30am … Read more

Spring School on Geometric Aspects of General Relativity March 22 – 25, 2018

Organized by: Demetre Kazaras, Marcus Khuri and Christina Sormani Graduate students (and postdocs) with background in Riemannian Geometry are invited to attend this four day school introducing geometric aspects of Mathematical General Relativity. There will be introductory lectures on: * Asymptotically flat Riemannian manifolds with nonnegative scalar curvature * ADM mass and the Positive Mass … Read more

Simons Center Director Luis Álvarez-Gaumé Named Distinguished Visiting Professor at Institute for Theoretical Physics, Madrid Autonoma University

The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics wishes to congratulate Director Luis Álvarez-Gaumé for being appointed Distinguished Severo Ochoa Visiting Professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Madrid Autonoma University. The Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT) in Madrid hosts a Distinguished Severo Ochoa Visiting Professor program, funded by its Severo Ochoa Excellence Grant from the Spanish … Read more