Department of Mathematics

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Mathematics Charlotte Ann Griffin Assistant Professor Julia Plavnik has been awarded an NSF Career grant.

The Nation Science Foundation Career grant program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.

Professor Plavnik's research studies the algebraic structure of symmetries of quantum objects. These can frequently be represented by mathematical objects known as tensor categories. Her recent work gives constructions for new examples of these mysterious objects. "During her time at IU, Professor Plavnik has effectively integrated research and mentoring at diverse levels and with diverse teams", says Chair Kevin Pilgrim, who notes that her mentoring efforts were recently recognized by an award from the IU Center of Excellence for Women in Technology (see a previous news story).