Calendar | Western Kentucky University

4:00pm

Location: COHH 3119
Time: 4:00pm

Have you ever wondered what some of the benefits are to studying mathematics at WKU? Are you unsure of what to do after graduation? A great resource for answers to these questions are the people who have been in your shoes before! In the Pi Mu Epsilon Math Alumni Speaker Series (PME MASS), WKU Mathematics alumni speak about their career paths and how studying mathematics at WKU has been beneficial to them. Each event ends with a Q&A session.

We are pleased to announce our final speaker of the semester, Jaelyn Young, a Data Analyst at RNGD. Jaelyn will be speaking to us via Zoom from New Orleans on Tuesday, April 1, at 4:00 PM. You have the option of joining us in person (in COHH 3119, where light refreshments will be served) or via Zoom (https://wku.zoom.us/j/94040062399).

1:30pm - 6:30pm

4th Annual Data Science Day

Time: 1:30pm - 6:30pm

The Applied Center for Data Science will host the 4th Annual Data Science Day on Tuesday afternoon, April 8. This year, we have two plenary speakers-Prasanna Balaprakash, Director of AI Programs and Distinguished Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Jessie Spencer-Smith, Interim Director and Chief Data Scientist at the Data Science Institute of Vanderbilt University. Additionally, there will be student and industrial talks. If appropriate, please encourage your students to give a 10-minute talk. Students interested can give the same presentation that they are giving at the Student Research Showcase.

This year, we are also asking all presenters and attendees to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-data-science-day-tickets-1277380833459 Presenters will also be asked to submit a title and abstract. The deadline for abstract submission is March 31.

3:00pm

Mathematics Department Meeting

Location: COHH 4123
Time: 3:00pm

Mathematics Department Meeting

3:30pm - 4:30pm

WKU AMS Graduate Student Chapter talk with Ahmet Kaan Aydin

Location: COHH 3119 or https://wku.zoom.us/j/4727263143?omn=91239422124
Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm

The WKU AMS Graduate Student Chapter is pleased to invite you to an insightful talk by Ahmet Kaan Aydin, a Ph.D. student in Applied Mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, specializing in numerical methods for stochastic PDEs and control problems.

This talk will take place on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 3:30–4:30 PM in COHH 3119. A Zoom option is also available.

Title:

A Low-rank Solver for the Navier-Stokes Equation with Uncertain Viscosity

Abstract:

The Navier-Stokes equation describes the motion of viscous fluids and plays a fundamental role in understanding fluid dynamics. In many real-world applications, the viscosity of a fluid is not precisely known—it may vary due to temperature changes, material inconsistencies, or other uncertainties.

The approximation of such a model leads to large and complex systems that are challenging to solve efficiently. This talk explores techniques such as low-rank tensor representation to significantly reduce memory requirements and computational costs. Applications extend beyond fluid dynamics, including areas like machine learning. The presentation will conclude with an overview of solver construction and its implications.

When & Where:

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
COHH 3119
Zoom Meeting ID: 472 726 3143

Join via Zoom:
https://wku.zoom.us/j/4727263143?omn=91239422124

Speaker Bio:

Ahmet earned his M.Sc. in Mathematics from Western Kentucky University in 2022, where he conducted research on robust control systems. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at UMBC. His work focuses on efficient numerical methods for stochastic PDEs and optimal control problems in fluid dynamics.

✨ FREE PIZZA AND SODA WILL BE PROVIDED! ✨

We hope to see you there!

3:00pm

SIAM Student Chapter Talk with Dr. Martene Stanberry and Chapter Meeting

Location: COHH 3123
Time: 3:00pm

There will be a SIAM Student Chapter talk at 3 PM on Friday in COHH 3123. The speaker is Dr. Martene Stanberry from Tennessee State University. Title and abstract are below. Pizza and drink will be provided.

At 4 PM, we will have a Chapter Meeting, where we will have the election of officers for next year, followed by a game night. Games will be provided, but also feel free to bring your own game.

Title: Utilizing Control Theory and Reinforcement Learning Theory to Enhance Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: Motivated by recent technological advances, specifically in Artificial Intelligence (AI), this presentation will provide an overview of control theory, reinforcement learning theory, and the potential for utilizing techniques from these theories to enhance AI. Control theory and reinforcement learning theory involve optimizing the behavior of a system through decision making and AI is technology that enables computers and machines to replicate human learning, understanding, problem solving, decision making, inventiveness, and autonomy (IBM, 2024). With advanced AI, many tasks can be completed correctly and efficiently without human intelligence or involvement, but modeling and training a system can bolster performance, reliability, and accuracy of results. This presentation will focus on control theory, reinforcement learning theory, and AI with emphasis on fault detection and error identification. In addition, the presenters’ pathway to a doctoral degree in applied mathematics and other research interests will be highlighted.

3:00pm

WKU Mathematics Talk with Dr. Martene Stanberry

Location: COHH 3123
Time: 3:00pm

Presenter: Martene Stanberry

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

Time: 3 PM

Room: COHH 3123

Title: Utilizing Control Theory and Reinforcement Learning Theory to Enhance Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: Motivated by recent technological advances, specifically in Artificial Intelligence (AI), this presentation will provide an overview of control theory, reinforcement learning theory, and the potential for utilizing techniques from these theories to enhance AI. Control theory and reinforcement learning theory involve optimizing the behavior of a system through decision making and AI is technology that enables computers and machines to replicate human learning, understanding, problem solving, decision making, inventiveness, and autonomy (IBM, 2024). With advanced AI, many tasks can be completed correctly and efficiently without human intelligence or involvement, but modeling and training a system can bolster performance, reliability, and accuracy of results. This presentation will focus on control theory, reinforcement learning theory, and AI with emphasis on fault detection and error identification. In addition, the presenters’ pathway to a doctoral degree in applied mathematics and other research interests will be highlighted.

11:00am - 1:00pm

Math Department Graduation Ceremony

Location: COHH 4123
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

The Math Department graduation celebration is on Monday, April 28th, from 11 am to 1 pm in COHH 4123. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 am, but you're welcome to stop by anytime between 11 am and 1 pm to congratulate the graduates.