Visiting lecturer: Marty Golubitsky

Marty Golubitsky is a Professor of Mathematics at Ohio State University and the Director of MBI. Dr. Golubitsky works in the fields of nonlinear dynamics and bifurcation theory studying the role of symmetry in the formation of patterns in physical systems and the role of network architecture in the dynamics of coupled systems. His recent research focuses on some mathematical aspects of neuroscience applications in animal gaits, the visual cortex, and the auditory system. He has co-authored four graduate texts, one undergraduate text, and two nontechnical trade books (Fearful Symmetry: Is God a Geometer with Ian Stewart and Symmetry in Chaos with Michael Field).

Professor Golubitsky will lecture on "Patterns Patterns Everywhere." Regular patterns appear all around us: from vast geological formations to the ripples in a vibrating coffee cup, from the gaits of trotting horses to tongues of flames, and even in visual hallucinations. The mathematical notion of symmetry is a key to understanding how and why these patterns form. In this lecture Professor Golubitsky will show some of these fascinating patterns and discuss how they can be explained by a mathematical analysis using symmetries. In particular, he will illustrate this use of symmetry by applying it to the gaits of horses and other four-legged animals.