The 35th Midwest Probability Colloquium at Northwestern University on October 10-12, 2013, at Northwestern University. Probability theory has been the most applicable branch of pure mathematics. During the last decade we have seen a clear surge in popularity of probabilistic tools and methods in other branches of pure and applied mathematics. This year's selection of program topics and speakers reflect the broad scope of applicability of the discipline. By maintaining a wide range of active research directions, the Midwest Probability Colloquium continues to provide a forum for the exchange of intellectual interest across a wide array of applied fields as well as for core areas of mathematics. Following the well established traditional format, the colloquium will be divided into the Tutorial Program and the Research Program.
The speakers of the Research Program are:
Martin Barlow (University of British Columbia) Lionel Levine (Cornell University) Dmitry Panchenko (University of Texas, A & M)
The topic of this year's Tutorial Program is "Random Walks on Groups" and will be hosted by Steve Lalley (University of Chicago)
The MPC website is at www.math.northwestern.edu/mwp/
was held successfully on October 10-12, 2013 at Northwestern University. We estimate that about 85 mathematicians aroundthe country attended the conference, with 70 of them registered online. The program of the conference was divided into two subprograms. This year’s topicof the Tutorial Program is random walks on groups. The main speaker for this programwas Professor Steve Lalley from University of Chicago, who gave a general survey ofthe topic. His two talks were followed by the talk on the latest research in thisdirection by Professor Francois LeDrappier The lead speaker of the Research Program was Professor Martin Barlow of the University of British Columbia. He gave two talkson the topic of random walks on uniform spanning trees. The other speakers of the ResearchProgram were Professor Lionel Levine of Cornell University (scaling limits of the Abeliansandpile) and Professor Dmitry Panchenko of University of Texas A&M (ultrametricity in spin glass models). The scientific program of the conference was organized by a three-memeber scientific committee elected at the last year's meeting: Tuca Auffinger (University of Chicago), Xia Chen (Universityof Tennessee at Knoxville), and Randy Hughes (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale). Thelocal organizers of the conference were Elton Hsu (Northwestern University), Tom Kurth(University of Wisconsin, Madison), and Greg Lawler (University of Chicago). The majority of the fund provided by the NSF were used for three purposes: (1) to defray in full the expenses of the five speakers of the conference; (2) to partially support the travel and localexpenses of graduate students and young researchers who had no or insufficient resources to attend the conference; (3) refreshments for breaks from the talks. A very small portion of the fund was used to cover various administrative cost. Northwestern University provided the venue and staff support for the conference free of charge. There was also a conference reception open to all participants on the evening of the second day. Its cost was provided by the Department of Mathematics and Weinberg Colleges of Arts and Sciences of Northwestern University. Intellectual Merit: This time-honored conference series has entered its 35th year and has becomean eagerly anticipated event in the probability community in the country, especial for graduatestudents and young researchers. What makes it attractive is the high quality of its scientific program and its unique format. For the past 35 years it has played an active role in promoting research and education in probability theory and related fields of mathematics. Broader Impact: The conference is held every year during the second weekend of October. This is thetime just before the hiring season is under way in earnest. The conference provides a timelyopportunity for graduate students and young researchers to broaden their employment prospective by meeting and discussing their latest research with senior members of the probability community. Probability theory is also a very applicable part of pure mathematics and the conference hasattracted researchers from other areas of mathematics who intend to learn and use probabilistictechniques in their own areas of research.
