Mathai Varghese

Biography

Professor Mathai Varghese is the Director of the Institute for Geometry and its Applications (IGA). He is also the Elder Professor of Mathematics within the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, Australian Laureate Fellow, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics within the Mathematical Sciences Institute at the Australian National University. Mathai was elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2011), fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society (2000) and fellow of the Royal Society of South Australia (2013). Mathai was awarded the Australian Mathematical Society Medal in 2000. Professor Mathai Varghese is the Director of the Institute for Geometry and its Applications (IGA). He is also the Elder Professor of Mathematics within the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, Australian Laureate Fellow, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics within the Mathematical Sciences Institute at the Australian National University. Mathai was elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2011), fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society (2000) and fellow of the Royal Society of South Australia (2013). Mathai was awarded the Australian Mathematical Society Medal in 2000.

Research Interest

Geometric analysis, mathematical physics, noncommutative geometry, mathematics of string theory, mathematics of quantum theory, topological insulators. 2014, String theory and contemporary culture: Vibrating strings, similar to the vibrations of violin strings, give rise to fundamental particles such as quarks and gluons, which in turn are the constituents of protons, neutrons, and electrons etc., establishing a close connection between music and string theory. Since science drives our economy, changing our culture by creating a popular awareness and understanding of science is an important goal of ours. An example is the recent consultancy role of Bouwknegt and myself on a production of the Australian Dance Theatre entitled Multiverse, where the main choreographer, Garry Stewart, has used duality in string theory to generate ideas for a wonderful dance piece on both artistic and intellectual levels. Multiverse premiered at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre on 10 July 2014 and we were invited guests.