GTGAPS
Geometric Topology Grad And Postdoc Seminar is an online seminar (via Zoom) for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars studying geometric topology. Since Summer 2023, I have been an organiser, along with Clair Xinle Dai, Vivian He, and Yonghan Xiao.
Texas Experimental Geometry Lab
The Texas Experimental Geometry Lab (TXGL) introduces undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin to research in geometry, topology, and/or dynamics through computational and experimental projects, mentored by a graduate student or postdoc.
Drawing the Gordian Graph (Spring 2026-Present)
Mentors: Myself and Remy Bohm Students: Ana Artero Calvo, Preston Phillips, Krithi Prasad, Samantha Ward
The Gordian Graph is defined as follows. The vertices of the graph are ambient isotopy classes of knots in the 3-sphere. There is an edge between two vertices if some diagram of the first knot can be turned into a diagram of the second knot by a single crossing change. As part of the project, an interactive visualization of the Gordian Graph was produced featuring knots with braid representations with 8 or fewer crossings.
The graph can be viewed here. Clicking on a node displays a picture of the knot. Clicking on an edge provides an example crossing change connecting the respective nodes. Entering the names of two knots gives the shortest path between them.
Directed Reading Program
The Directed Reading Program at UT Austin pairs undergraduate students with a graduate mentor to undertake independent projects in mathematics. I have mentored a student through the DRP most semesters since Spring 2022, and was an organiser from Fall 2022 to Spring 2025.
I have supervised the following projects:
- (Spring 2026) Emery He - Knot Invariants: Unknotting Number and Bridge Number
- (Fall 2025) Ashley Yang - Untangling Jacob's Ladder: Topology with String Tricks
- (Spring 2025) Cohen Forier - Curvature of Discrete Curves
- (Fall 2024) Cohen Forier - Groups, Graphs, and Growth
- (Fall 2024) Hailey Chau - Braid Theory
- (Fall 2023) Connie Yang — Introduction to Hyperbolic Space
- (Spring 2023) Kai Bovik — A Topology of Places and Solving City Slums
- (Fall 2022) Kai Bovik — Graph Partitioning as an Approach to Congressional Redistricting
- (Spring 2022) Kai Bovik — Braids in Mathematics
Math for All
The Math For All conference has the purpose of fostering inclusivity in mathematics by holding talks and discussions in both research and education. I co-organised the yearly Austin satellite conference from 2023 to 2025, along with Addie Duncan and Aislinn Smith.
From 2024 to 2026, I have co-organized the Math For All Wikipedia Edit-a-thon. The goal of the Edit-a-thon is to improve biographies of mathematicians on Wikipedia, especially those with underrepresented backgrounds, and to teach a new generation of Wikipedia editors how to contribute.
Sunday Morning Math Group
Here are some outreach talks I've given through the SMMG program at UT Austin, aimed at middle and high school students. Both talks were also presented at Long-View Micro School in Austin.
- (Fall 2025) Symmetries and Groups
- (Spring 2024) Fractals and the Coastline Paradox