Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I. E. Block Community Lecture: Go Boldly Where No Math Has Gone Before
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Room: Hall C
Chair: Sven Leyffer
The role of mathematics in the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions is often overlooked or unappreciated by the general public. What we remember about maths in school might amount to prime numbers or finding the length of hypotenuse, both of which may appear to have no relevance to our everyday lives. How many of us will recall words like “polynomial” and “integral” and appreciate the applications of these fundamental mathematical concepts? Can we easily name the many mathematicians who have pioneered world-changing scientific breakthroughs? This talk aims to change all of that. I will bring you on a journey of mathematical progress and share with you the reasons why I believe that maths is important, exciting and innovative. You will learn about the multitude of ways that maths has helped to solve the world’s greatest challenges, and the scientists who championed these innovations. The journey will continue into modern times, where maths is being used to tackle important unsolved issues affecting us now and dictating our future. The final stop will bring us to space where I will describe my role as a mathematician taking on the future of space sustainability.
Caoimhe Rooney
Astroscale, U.S.
I. E. Block Community Lecture: Go Boldly Where No Math Has Gone Before
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Room: Hall C
Chair: Sven Leyffer
The role of mathematics in the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions is often overlooked or unappreciated by the general public. What we remember about maths in school might amount to prime numbers or finding the length of hypotenuse, both of which may appear to have no relevance to our everyday lives. How many of us will recall words like “polynomial” and “integral” and appreciate the applications of these fundamental mathematical concepts? Can we easily name the many mathematicians who have pioneered world-changing scientific breakthroughs? This talk aims to change all of that. I will bring you on a journey of mathematical progress and share with you the reasons why I believe that maths is important, exciting and innovative. You will learn about the multitude of ways that maths has helped to solve the world’s greatest challenges, and the scientists who championed these innovations. The journey will continue into modern times, where maths is being used to tackle important unsolved issues affecting us now and dictating our future. The final stop will bring us to space where I will describe my role as a mathematician taking on the future of space sustainability.
Caoimhe Rooney
Astroscale, U.S.
