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Abstracts of Plenary Talks at the Olga Taussky Todd Celebration, July 16-18, 1999 "Fraulein Dr. Taussky in Vienna and Gottingen" Abstract: Olga Taussky from 1925 till 1934 -- her first years as number theorist in Vienna and Gottingen (1931/32); her teachers and colleagues: Philip Furtwangler, Wilhelm Wirtinger, Hans Hahn, Karl Menger, Kurt Godel, . . .; class field theory, class field tower, group theory. Christa Binder "Looking Back .....Looking Ahead" Abstract: The speaker reflects on growing up in the nation's capital at a time when schools in the city were segregated by race, and being the beneficiary of excellent academic training provided by dedicated teachers. She looks ahead at what can be done to provide quality mathematics education to every child in the United States. Evelyn Boyd Granville "Portfolio Risk: Diversification in Volatile Markets" Abstract: Recent turbulence in world financial markets has brought financial risk management to the forefront of the news. This talk reviews the recent history and mathematical underpinnings of financial risk management. We outline a factor risk model for international bonds and discuss its performance during volatile periods. Lisa R. Goldberg "Measurement Science and Measure Theory: A Mathematician at NIST today" Abstract: We will discuss the role of a mathematician at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The author will report on work on NIST applications that made use of probability theory as well as some non-mathematical talents. Fern Y. Hunt "Statistics: Is it Really A Mathematical Science?" Abstract: This talk will touch on why statistics is and is not a mathematical science, and why this is an exciting time to be a statistician, mathematical or otherwise. Diane Lambert "Problems, including mathematical problems, from my early years" Abstract: In my early years, that is from 1945 to 1957 I was supported at what is now the Courant Institute on big grants. I did not teach but was instead a research assistant or associate. I spent one year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in a similar way. This meant working on other people's problems and only later on my own. This talk is about how that all worked out. Cathleen Synge Morawetz "Math, with an Attitude" Abstract: We describe from experience how it is possible to start out in the mathematical sciences and end up working on practically everything. Linda R. Petzold "Numbers, Matrices, and Commutativity" Abstract: Olga Taussky Todd was interested in a diverse range of mathematical topics and published over 170 research papers between 1931 and 1991. She is best know for her work in number theory and matrix theory. This talk will focus on some of her contributions to matrix theory. Helene Shapiro "A Selection of Mathematical Experiences" Abstract: I'll describe highlights of some interesting mathematical experiences from work at Stanford University and Bell Laboratories. A common theme in all cases will be mathematical underpinnings and research arising from practical applications. Margaret H. Wright "Following my interest" Abstract: In this talk, I will talk about reasons why I chose to come to Microsoft, my experience transitioning to industry, some of the interesting problems that I have worked on at Microsoft, and some of the conclusions I have drawn about my experiences. Lani Wu Copyright ©2005 Association for Women in Mathematics. All rights reserved. |