This grant will fund approximately 75 US mathematical scientists to attend and participate in the second PRIMA Pacific Rim Congress, to be held June 24-28, 2013 in Shanghai, China. The Congress will include 11 plenary speakers highlighting the intense mathematical activities throughout the region, and 23 special sessions on both core and applied areas. A strong US presence is vital to strengthening ties and building collaborations with researchers throughout the Pacific Rim. Participants in the Congress will be able to exchange information about the latest advances in their research areas, as well as plan future initiatives based on the contacts made during the Congress.
There is explosive growth in the mathematical sciences occurring in many parts of the Pacific Rim, but for reasons of distance and culture it is often difficult for US scientists to learn about what is happening, much less to directly participate. The PRIMA Congress is a unique opportunity for US participants to become integrated into the vibrant and interconnected mathematical community in the region, so vital to our economic future. This is especially true for younger researchers and students, as well as members of underrepresented groups, whose travel support is a main focus of this proposal. Participation in the Congress may well be transformational for many, opening up an entirely new range of scientific contacts and leading to further regional activities such as summer schools and follow-up conferences as well as smaller scale intensive collaborations. This can also have a profound impact on the training of the next generation of leaders in the mathematical sciences, who will operate in a global environment in which the Pacific Rim is playing an increasingly important role.
This grant supported the travel of 80 US mathematicians to participate in the Second Pacific Rim PRIMA Congress, held during June 24-28, 2013, in Shanghai, China, at the Shanghai Tong University. Many of these US scientists spoke in targeted sessions and some were also plenary speakers. We were able to support many junior mathematicians, including a dozen graduate students, enriching their contacts and understanding of the latest developments around the Pacific Rim. NSF support made possible a strong US presence in this Congress, which had roughly 400 total attendees. Results of the Congress are available at http://meeting.healife.com/prima2013/en/index.asp. There were two public lectures of an expository nature, and 11 plenary speakers covering a broad range of both core and applied areas, all distinguished scientists. In addition, there were 23 special sessions in more specific research areas, ranging from number theory to mathematical physics. Especially impressive to many attendees was the explosive growth of mathematics reserach in China, with new research institutes and departments fueling this surge. The Congress provided an important way for US participants to learn first hand about these developments, and to build contacts that will undoubtedly prove beneficial for years to come. These contacts will help to strengthen the US research effort in mathematics across a broad range of areas.
