MRC Week 2: June 6 – 12, 2021
Finding Needles in Haystacks: Approaches to Inverse Problems using Combinatorics and Linear Algebra
Organizers:
- Shaun Fallat, University of Regina
- H. Tracy Hall, NewVistas LLC
- Leslie Hogben, Iowa State University and the American Institute of Mathematics
- Bryan Shader, University of Wyoming
- Michael Young, Iowa State University
Inverse eigenvalue problems encompass many important problems in science and engineering and often can be reduced to the mathematical question of whether or not there is a matrix with a prescribed structure whose invariants (eigenvalues) have a desired property. Progress has been slow because particular inverse eigenvalue problems can be difficult—much like finding a needle in a haystack. The inverse eigenvalue problem of a graph asks us to determine the possible eigenvalues of a real symmetric matrix with the nonzero off-diagonal pattern described by the edges of a graph. Recently developed tools have accelerated progress and opened up new lines of inquiry by giving linear algebraic and combinatorial criteria for the existence of a “nice” needle in a given haystack that guarantees the existence of a needle in each nearby haystack. The inverse eigenvalue problem of a graph has also stimulated work on zero forcing, a graph coloring process that has applications to graph searching, monitoring electric power networks, and control of quantum systems, in addition to serving as an upper bound for maximum eigenvalue multiplicity. Recent work on zero forcing has also included investigations of propagation time (the minimum time needed to color the entire graph starting with a set of minimum possible size, and throttling (minimizing the sum of the resources needed to and the time needed to accomplish a task). This MRC conference will provide participants with the expertise needed to launch productive research projects in these new lines of inquiry. We expect that a participant will have expertise in linear algebra or graph theory, but need not have worked in both. We look forward to bringing together advanced graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty from a mix of backgrounds.
Please see the article “The Inverse Eigenvalue Problem of a Graph, Zero Forcing, and Related Parameters” by the organizers in the February 2020 issue of Notices.
Applications closed February 15, 2020, and the admission process is complete.
For questions about the application process, please contact Kim Kuda at the AMS.
Here is a list of individuals who participated in this conference:
- Aida Abiad
- Joseph Alameda
- Sarah Allred
- Novi Bong
- Jane Breen
- Boris Brimkov
- Thomas Cameron
- Emelie Curl
- Bryan Curtis
- F Dahlgren
- Sean English
- Craig Erickson
- Luyining Gan
- Zachary Gershkoff
- Kevin Grace
- Himanshu Gupta
- Jamie Haddock
- Mark Hunnell
- Alathea Jensen
- Ehssan Khanmohammadi
- Juergen Kritschgau
- Rachel Lawrence
- Jephian C.-H. Lin
- Kevin Liu
- Ryan Moruzzi Jr.
- Sara Motlaghian
- Shahla Nasserasr
- Emily Olson
- Carolyn Reinhart
- Houston Schuerger
- Benjamin Small
- Sam Spiro
- Olivas Ralihe Villagrán
- Prateek Vishwakarma
- Derek Young
- Yaqi Zhang