Claremont Center for the Mathematical Sciences

Applied Math Seminar: Organizational meeting
2019-09-09 16:15 - 17:15 (America/Los_Angeles) | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
As titled

Frobenius problem over number fields (Lenny Fukshansky, CMC)
2019-09-10 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
The classical Frobenius problem asks for the largest integer not representable as a non-negative integer linear combination of a relatively prime integer n-tuple. This problem and its various generalizations have been studied extensively in combinatorics, number theory, algebra, theoretical computer science and probability theory. In this talk, we will consider a reformulation of this problem in the context of number fields, which leads to some arithmetic questions about semigroups of algebraic integers and height functions. This is joint work with CMC student Edward Shi.

Poster Session Fall 2019
2019-09-11 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
CLAREMONT CENTER for MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Fall 2019 Poster Session
Click here for poster abstracts.

Applied Math Seminar: A hybrid inverse problem in the fluorescence ultrasound modulated optical tomography given by Yimin Zhong (UCI)
2019-09-16 16:15 - 17:15 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
We investigate a hybrid inverse problem in fluorescence ultrasound modulated optical tomography (fUMOT) in the diffusive regime. We prove that the boundary measurement of the
photon currents allows unique and stable reconstructions of the absorption coefficient of the fluorophores at the excitation frequency and the quantum efficiency coefficient simultaneously, provided
that some background medium parameters are known. Reconstruction algorithms are proposed and
numerically implemented as well.

Introduction to theory of Euclid graphs (Sin-Min Lee, SJSU)
2019-09-17 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
In Euclidean geometry, the sum of two sides of any triangle is greater than the third side. We introduce this idea to labeling of graphs. A (p,q)-graph G=(V,E) is said to be in Euclid(0) if there exists a bijection f: V(G) –> {1,…,p} such that for each induced C3 subgraph with vertices {v1,v2,v3} with f(v1)<f(v2)<f(v3) we have
f(v1)+f(v2)>f(v3) .
For k > 1, G is in Euclid(k) class of graphs if there exits smallest k such that G U Nk in Euclid(0), where Nk is the null graph with k isolated points. We exhibit infinitely many graphs in Euclid(k) for each k. The talk is target to general audiences. Several open problems will posed for future research. The report is the joint work with several high school, undergraduate students and researchers.

Topology Seminar: Sam Nelson (CMC)
2019-09-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Millikan 2099, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
Title: Biquandle Brackets and Knotoids
Abstract: Biquandle brackets are a type of quantum enhancement of the biquandle counting invariant for oriented knots and links, defined by a set of skein relations with coefficients which are functions of biquandle colors at a crossing. In this talk we use biquandle brackets to enhance the biquandle counting matrix invariant of knotoids. This is joint work with Neslihan Gugumcu (Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey) and Natsumi Oyamaguchi (Shumei University, Tokyo, Japan).

Data-driven multiscale modeling of cell fate dynamics
2019-09-18 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
Cells make fate decisions in response to dynamic environmental and pathological stimuli as well as cell-to-cell communications. Recent technological breakthroughs have enabled to gather data in previously unthinkable quantities at single cell level, starting to suggest that cell fate decision is much more complex, dynamic, and stochastic than previously recognized. Multiscale interactions, sometimes through cell-cell communications, play a critical role in cell decision making. Dissecting cellular dynamics emerging from molecular and genomic scale in single-cell demands novel computational tools and multiscale models. In this talk, I will present our recent works on analyzing single cell molecular data, and their connections with cellular and spatial tissue dynamics. Our mathematical approaches bring together optimization, statistical physics, ODEs/PDEs, and stochastic simulations along with machine learning techniques. By utilizing our newly developed computational tools along with their close integrations with new datasets collected from our experimental collaborators, we are able to investigate several complex systems during development and regeneration to uncover new mechanisms in cell fate determination.

Adinkras: Snapshots of Supersymmetry (Jordan Kostiuk, Brown University)
2019-09-24 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
An “Adinkra” is a graphical tool to describe a branch of particle physics known as supersymmetry. Understanding the mathematics of Adinkras shines a light on the underlying physics, as well as helps to explore new areas of mathematics. After describing the basic structure of Adinkras, I will discuss some of these interesting interactions between mathematics and physics.This talk is intended for a general mathematics audience; undergraduate students are welcome.

Why biologists cant stop saying single-cell and how this is a distinctly mathematical refrain
2019-09-25 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
Single-cell genomics is a catch phrase for numerous new technologies and methods that allow for probing cells at genome scale. I will explain what this means and describe some examples that illustrate the excitement in this new domain. While single-cell genomics technologies draw on methods from a variety of disciplines such asf biology, chemistry and engineering, the interpretation of the data they generate requires concepts and tools from statistics, computer science and mathematics. I will explain some of the connections with a view towards highlighting interesting solved and unsolved problems in the field.

Combinatorics and representation theory of Temperley-Lieb algebras (Zajj Daugherty, CUNY)
2019-10-01 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
The classical, one-boundary, and two-boundary Temperley-Lieb algebras arise in mathematical physics related to solving certain rectangular lattice models.They also have beautiful presentations as “diagram algebras”, meaning that they have basis elements depicted as certain kinds of graphs, and multiplication rules are given by stacking diagrams and gluing of vertices. In this talk, we will explore these algebras and their representation theory, as well as their relationship to other important diagram algebras in combinatorial representation theory.

Topology Seminar: Jesse Levitt (USC)
2019-10-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Millikan 2099, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
Title: Understanding Structure in the Single Variable Knot Polynomials
Abstract:
We examine the dimensionality and internal structure of the aggregated data produced by the Alexander, Jones, and Z0 polynomials using topological data analysis and dimensional reduction techniques. By examining several families of knots, including over 10 million distinct examples, we find that the Jones data is well described as a three dimensional manifold, the Z0 data as a single two dimensional manifold and the Alexander data as a collection of two dimensional manifolds. We confirm each of these structural results using two independent ‘big data’ techniques. The ability to consider knots in this manner illuminates several interesting relationships that I hope to discuss at the conclusion of the talk. This collects joint work with Mustafa Hajij and Radmila Sazdanovic.

Freeways and Circle Packing
2019-10-02 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
The beauty of mathematics is often encountered when one discovers that two apparently very different phenomena actually share a common origin. I will discuss such a surprising connection between two apparently unrelated mathematical objects. One is purely combinatorial: the number of ways one can drive from USC to the Claremont Colleges. The other one is geometric: the Ford circle packing, a pretty configuration of circles in the plane with interesting number theoretic properties.

Regime transitions of liquid films flowing down a fiber (Applied Math Talk given by Prof. Claudia Falcon, UCLA)
2019-10-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
Recent experiments of thin films flowing down a vertical fiber with varying nozzle diameters present a wealth of new dynamics that illustrate the need for more advanced theory. Determining the regime transitions from absolute (Rayleigh- Plateau) instability is useful in the design of heat and mass exchangers for applications that include cooling systems and desalination. We present a detailed analysis using a full lubrication model that includes slip boundary conditions, nonlinear curvature terms, and a film stabilization term. This study brings to focus the presence of a stable liquid layer playing an important role in the full dynamics. We propose a combination of these physical effects to explain the observed velocity and stability of traveling droplets in the experiments and their transition to isolated droplets. When thermal gradients are present, it can induce bead coalescence away from the nozzle. To account for this, we incorporate spatial-dependent viscosity and surface tension to the model, due to inhomogeneous temperature field along the fiber.

GEMS Workshop: Symmetry with Professor Michael Orrison, from Harvey Mudd College
2019-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Shanahan 1480, Harvey Mudd College, 301 Platt Blvd., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
TOPIC: Symmetry
Symmetry seems to be an important idea in mathematics, but how do mathematicians think about symmetry? In this workshop, we’ll talk about mathematical objects called groups, see how they are used to describe symmetry, and then put them to work to help us answer some nontrivial counting problems.
WHAT IS GEMS:
The Gateway to Exploring Mathematics program (GEMS) is a series of workshops that helps excite the interests and curiosity of young students in mathematics and science.
GEMS meets once a month on a Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
GEMS is designed to reach 8th, 9th and 10th grade students who have an interest in mathematics and science.
Participants interact with excellent and award winning faculty, staff, students and alumni from each of the seven Claremont Colleges.
FALL 2019 DATES:
October 5, 2019
November 2, 2019
December 7, 2019
REGISTRATION:
To register for our next event on October 5, please click on the following link:
https://forms.gle/LySNdhqj782TkPFz9
ANY QUESTIONS:
Please contact our 2019-2020 GEMS coordinator, Josh Kiernan at joshua.kiernan@cgu.edu

Applied Math Seminar: Mathematical model of Hematopoietic cell differentiation from single-cell gene sequencing data (Prof. Heyrim Cho ,UCR)
2019-10-07 16:30 - 17:30 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
Recent advances in single-cell gene sequencing data and high-dimensional data analysis techniques are bringing in new opportunities in modeling biological systems. In this talk, I will discuss different approaches to develop mathematical models from single-cell data. Particularly for high-dimensional single-cell gene sequencing data, dimension reduction techniques are applied to find the trajectories of cell states in the reduced differentiation space. Then, we develop PDE models that describe the cell differentiation as directed and random movement on the abstracted graph or on the reduced space. Normal hematopoiesis differentiation and abnormal processes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression are simulated, and the model can predict the emergence of cells in novel intermediate states of differentiation consistent with immunophenotypic characterizations of AML. In addition, we demonstrate that our model is capable to illustrate the reconstitution of impaired Hematopoiesis, for instance, after chemotherapy.

Matroids: a unified theory of independence (Mauricio Gomez Lopez, University of Oregon)
2019-10-08 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
In this talk, I will give an overview of the theory of matroids. These are mathematical objects which capture the combinatorial essence of linear independence. Besides providing some basic definitions of this theory, I will discuss several examples of matroids and explain some connections with optimization. Also, in this talk, I will introduce matroid polytopes, which provide a geometric framework for studying matroids. If time permits, I will discuss some new proofs to known results that I developed with one of my students during a research program this summer.

Topology Seminar: Mauricio Gomez Lopez (U. Oregon)
2019-10-08 15:00 - 16:00 | CA
Title: Cobordism Categories and Spaces of Manifolds.
Abstract: Cobordisms have been one of the central objects in topology since the pioneering work of Rene Thom, which provided the first link between manifolds and homotopy theory. In more recent years, there has been much focus on cobordism categories. These play a fundamental role in the study of topological quantum field theories and automorphism groups of manifolds. A fundamental result in this field is the theorem of Galatius, Madsen, Tillmann, and Weiss, which describes the homotopy type of the classifying spaces of smooth cobordism categories. Galatius and Randal-Williams later simplified the proof of this result with the use of spaces of manifolds and scanning techniques. Besides giving an overview of this field of research, I will discuss the analogs of the theorem of Galatius, Madsen, Tillmann, and Weiss for topological and PL manifolds. The topological case is joint work with Alexander Kupers.

Formal geometry and characteristic classes
2019-10-09 16:15 - 17:15 | CA
I plan to explain how a purely algebraic technique involving Lie Algebra Cohomology can be used to construct standard characteristic classes of vector bundles and foliations (in fact, it could be tweaked to give most characteristic classes in differential and complex geometry).

Applied Math Talk: A Full Asymptotic Series of European Call Option Prices in the SABR Model with Beta = 1 given by Zhengji Guo (CGU)
2019-10-14 16:15 - 17:15 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
We develop two new pricing formulae for European options. The purpose of these formulae is to better understand the impact of each term of the model, as well as improve the speed of the calculations. We consider the SABR model (with $beta=1$) of stochastic volatility, which we analyze by tools from Malliavin Calculus. We follow the approach of Alòs et al (2006) who showed that under stochastic volatility framework, the option prices can be written as the sum of the classic Hull-White (1987) term and a correction due to correlation. We derive the Hull-White term, by using the conditional density of the average volatility, and write it as a two-dimensional integral. For the correction part, we use two different approaches. Both approaches rely on the pairing of the exponential formula developed by Jin, Peng, and Schellhorn (2016) with analytical calculations. The first approach, which we call ”Dyson series on the return’s idiosyncratic noise” yields a complete series expansion but necessitates the calculation of a 7-dimensional integral. Two of these dimensions come from the use of Yor’s (1992) formula for the joint density of a Brownian motion and the time-integral of geometric Brownian motion. The second approach, which we call ”Dyson series on the common noise” necessitates the calculation of only a one-dimensional integral, but the formula is more complex. This research consisted of both analytical derivations and numerical calculations. The latter show that our formulae are in general more exact, yet more time-consuming to calculate, than the first order expansion of Hagan et al (2002).

Sporadic points on modular curves (Ozlem Ejder, Colorado State University)
2019-10-15 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
A classic and fundamental result in number theory is due to Mordell who proved that the set of points on an elliptic curve defined over a number field forms a finitely generated abelian group; in particular, it has a finite torsion subgroup. An essential tool to study elliptic curves is the modular curves which are moduli spaces for elliptic curves with an additional structure. In particular, $X_1(n)$ classifies the elliptic curves with a point of order of $n$. Motivated by the classification of torsion problems, we study the sporadic points on the curve $X_1(n)$, that is, the closed points on $X_1(n)$ such that there are at most finitely many points of degree at most $deg(x)$. In this talk, we will discuss the finiteness of sporadic points. This is joint with A. Bourdon, Y. Liu, F. Odumudu and B. Viray.

Habitat-driven extinctions: insights from spatially implicit ODE models
2019-10-16 16:15 - 17:15 | CA
Speaker: Kate Meyer, Cornell University

Abstract: Biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning but continues to decline on a global scale. Among human activities driving this trend, habitat destruction is a leading culprit in local and global extinctions. Simple mathematical models can address important questions surrounding habitat-driven extinctions—for example, which species are at highest risk, how delayed might extinction be, and what can be done about it? Exploring these questions in a spatially implicit ODE model leads us to new mathematical territory involving temporary parameter changes and nonequilibrium dynamics.

Host: Jasper Weinburd (jweinburd@hmc.edu)

Applied Math Talk: Dynamics of neuroendocrine stress response given by Prof. Maria Rita D'Orsogna (CSUN)
2019-10-21 16:15 - 17:15 | CGU Math North House
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a neuroendocrine system
that regulates numerous physiological processes. Disruptions are
correlated with stress-related diseases such as PTSD and major depression. We characterize “normal” and “diseased” states of the HPA axis as basins of attraction of a dynamical system describing the main hormones regulated by the HPA axis. Our model includes hormonal self-upregulation, release, synthesis; interaction,
delay and feedback mechanisms. External input is associated to psychological trauma, while parameter changes represent physiological damage. We show that transitions between the “normal” and “diseased” states may be induced solely by
external input, with all physiological parameters unchanged, emphasizing
the severe consequences of psychological trauma. We also find that the
timing and duration of the traumatic event is an important determinant
of if and how stress disorders will manifest. Finally, we propose mechanisms whereby exposure therapy may act to normalize downstream dysregulation of the HPA axis.

Magnitude meets persistence. What happens after?
2019-10-23 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
The magnitude is an isometric invariant of metric spaces that
was introduced by Tom Leinster in 2010, and is currently the object of
intense research, as it has been shown to encode many invariants of a
metric space such as volume, dimension, and capacity. When studying a
metric space in topological data analysis using persistent homology, one
approximates the space through a nested sequence of simplicial complexes
so as to recover topological information about the space by studying the
homology of this sequence. In this talk I will give an introduction to
magnitude as well as persistent homology, and explain how magnitude
homology is related to persistent homology.

Faster point counting for curves over prime power rings (Maurice Rojas, Texas A&M)
2019-10-29 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
Counting points on algebraic curves over finite fields has numerous applications in communications and cryptology, and has led to some of the most beautiful results in 20th century arithmetic geometry. A natural generalization is to count the number of points over prime power rings, e.g., the integers modulo a prime power. However, the theory behind the latter kind of point counting began more recently and there are numerous gaps in our algorithmic knowledge.
We give a simple combinatorial construction that reduces point counting over prime power point counting to the prime field case. In particular, for any bivariate polynomial f in Z[x,y] and positive integers p and k with p prime, we show how one can count the number of roots of f in (Z/(p^k))^2 in time p^{1/2 + o(1)} (dk)^{O(1)}, and even faster for certain curves. This generalizes earlier results of Cheng, Lecerf, Saxena, and Wan in the univariate case, and simplifies earlier work of Denef, Igusa, and Veys on local zeta functions.
This is joint work with Caleb Robelle and Yuyu Zhu.

Calculus, Real Fewnomials, and P vs NP
2019-10-30 16:15 - 17:15 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
We review a beautiful 17th century result by the philosopher Rene Descartes: a univariate real polynomial with t monomial terms has no more than t-1 positive roots. We then see how one can prove a generalization that counts roots of two bivariate polynomials (with few monomial terms), using nothing more than basic calculus. In other words, we’ll see the basics of real fewnomial theory. We’ll then see how this relates to circuit complexity and the famous P vs. NP Problem. In particular, we’ll see how new bounds in real fewnomial theory lead to new separations of complexity classes that answer deep questions in theoretical computer science. Along the way, we’ll see some of the ideas behind tropical geometry.

GEMS Workshop: Mathematics of Information with Professor Lucas Bang of Harvey Mudd College
2019-11-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Shanahan 1480, Harvey Mudd College, 301 Platt Blvd., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
TOPIC: The Mathematics of Information
We are surrounded by information. Words in books, ones and zeros in computers, mathematical equations, and DNA sequences are all examples of information, but can we say something more about it? In this workshop, we will learn about the mathematics of information, see how it is related to concepts from physics and artificial intelligence, and explore how it can be used to solve games.
WHAT IS GEMS:
The Gateway to Exploring Mathematics program (GEMS) is a series of workshops that helps excite the interests and curiosity of young students in mathematics and science.
GEMS meets once a month on a Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
GEMS is designed to reach 8th, 9th and 10th grade students who have an interest in mathematics and science.
Participants interact with excellent and award winning faculty, staff, students and alumni from each of the seven Claremont Colleges.
FALL 2019 DATES:
October 5, 2019
November 2, 2019
December 7, 2019
REGISTRATION:
To register for our next event on November 2nd, please click on the following link:
https://forms.gle/RetrypdjSnoVWGKi9
ANY QUESTIONS:
Please contact our 2019-2020 GEMS coordinator, Josh Kiernan at joshua.kiernan@cgu.edu

Markov Chains and Emergent Behavior in Programmable Matter given by Prof. Sarah Canon (CMC)
2019-11-04 16:15 - 17:15 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
Markov chains are widely used throughout mathematics, statistics, and the sciences, often for modelling purposes or for generating random samples. In this talk I’ll discuss a different, more recent application of Markov chains, to developing distributed algorithms for programmable matter systems. Programmable matter is a material or substance that has the ability to change its features in a programmable, distributed way; examples are diverse and include robot swarms and smart materials. We study an abstraction of programmable matter where particles independently move on a lattice according to simple, local algorithms. We want to design these algorithms so that the system has a desired collective behavior, such as compression of the particles into a shape with small perimeter or separation of differently colored particles. In our stochastic approach, we describe a desired collective behavior using an energy function; design a Markov chain that uses local moves and converges to the Gibbs distribution for this energy function; and then turn the Markov chain into an asynchronous distributed algorithm that each particle can execute independently. In several of our algorithms, changing just a single parameter results in a different, but equally desirable, emergent global behavior. To prove our algorithms are correct, we must show this Gibbs distribution has the desired properties with high probability, which we do using proof techniques from probability, statistical physics, and Markov chain analysis. This principled approach has been used to inform the design of real-world robot systems. Joint work with Marta Andres Arroyo, Enis Aydin, Joshua J. Daymude, Bahnisikha Dutta, Cem Gokmen, Daniel I. Goldman, Shengkai Li, Dana Randall, Andrea Richa, William Savoie, and Ross Warkentin.

Differential spectra of power permutations (Daniel Katz, CSUN)
2019-11-05 12:15 - 13:10 | Emmy Noether Room, Millikan 1021, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711
If $F$ is a finite field and $d$ is a positive integer relatively prime to $|F^times|$, then the power map $x mapsto x^d$ is a permutation of $F$, and so is called a power permutation of $F$. For any function $f: F to F$, and $a, b in F$, we define the differential multiplicity of $f$ with respect to $a$ and $b$, written $delta_f(a,b)$, to be the number of pairs $(x,y) in F^2$ with $x-y=a$ and $f(x)-f(y)=b$. We usually insist that $a
ot=0$, since it is immediate that $delta_f(0,0)=|F|$ and $delta_f(0,b)=0$ for $b
ot=0$. The differential spectrum of $f$, written $Delta_f$, is defined as $Delta_f={delta_f(a,b): a in F^times, b in F}$. Differential spectra of power permutations are of interest in applications to cryptography and digital communications. We are especially interested in fields $F$ and exponents $d$ such $f(x)=x^d$ is a power permutation over $F$ whose differential spectrum contains at most three values. We present computational experiments that suggest conjectures as to which $(F,d)$ pairs produce such spectra. This is joint work with Kyle Pacheco and Yakov Sapozhnikov.

Paper Strip Knots (David Bachman)
2019-11-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Millikan 2099, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
I will discuss joint work with Jim Hoste, where we prove that a unique folded strip of paper can follow any polygonal knot with odd stick number. In the even stick number case there are either infinitely many, or none.

Science for the Greater Good: How a Math Professor Saved the Italian Coastline from Big Oil
2019-11-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Argue Auditorium, Pomona College, 610 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
In 2007, Dr. Maria D’Orsogna learned of proposed oil activities in her home region of Abruzzo, Italy. Century-old wineries were to be uprooted to build clusters of oil wells, refineries and pipelines, turning scenic Abruzzo into an oil district. Although based in California, 6,000 miles away, Dr. D’Orsogna took it upon herself to raise awareness and educate the public at large. She blended her scientific training, her experience as a professor, and her strong desire for social justice into an environmental movement that rapidly spread from Abruzzo across the country. Over the years, she traveled from town to town in Italy, educating citizens about environmental and health effects tied to hydrocarbon extraction, debating Big Oil, exposing political corruption, engaging the Catholic Church, putting pressure on decision makers to act for the common good. While in California she used social networks and blogging to expose wrongdoings of the oil and gas industry, coordinate letter writings, keep raising awareness and spur action. Thanks to public uproar, spearheaded by Marias unwavering efforts, Abruzzo banned oil drilling and for the first time ever, the Italian parliament imposed a no-drill zone of 12 miles encompassing all of Italy’s 5,000 mile coastline. Overall she helped stop at least 50 oil leases, earning the nickname Erin Brockovich of Italy. Maria’s story is a testament of how, by engaging with the community, scientists and educators can truly make a difference.
