The National Science Foundation has awarded the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences a $3 million Research Training Group (RTG) grant to strengthen the future of mathematics by blending cutting-edge research with innovative education and outreach.
The five-year award will support a wide-ranging initiative at the interface of the subfields of Geometry and Representation Theory, which combines fundamental research in advanced mathematics with innovative new education, mentoring and development programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in STEM fields. It will be advanced by a broad team of faculty in USC Dornsife's Department of Mathematics, including 11 faculty members who were listed on the grant.
"This award underscores the strength of USC Dornsife mathematics as both a hub of world-class research and a training ground for the next generation of mathematicians," said Sheel Ganatra, chair of the department and the project's lead principal investigator. "We're especially proud that this program will not only advance fundamental mathematics, but also open doors for students and educators across Los Angeles."
Expanding research frontiers, training the next generation
USC Dornsife's mathematicians are pushing into some of the most challenging questions in the field - from understanding the hidden shapes that define space to finding new patterns that connect different areas of mathematics. The RTG award will give faculty and students the freedom to pursue these ideas, while building bridges between specialties that rarely interact.
The grant adds a powerful layer of support for students - funding stipends, seminars, training workshops, retreats, and new courses that go beyond the standard curriculum. These opportunities allow undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to work side-by-side on real research challenges, gaining skills and experience that will prepare them for careers in academia, industry and education.
The program also reaches into the wider community. A new initiative for local K-12 math teachers will provide training, resources and peer support to strengthen classroom teaching. In addition, a new summer research program will give undergraduates from USC and other institutions opportunities to engage in advanced mathematics, opening new research pathways for talented students.
"This grant will give students a chance to engage directly with the bold ideas that are reshaping mathematics today," Ganatra said. "Those experiences will stay with them for a lifetime, no matter where their careers take them."
