

APPLICATIONS OF MODEL THEORY TO OPERATOR ALGEBRAS July 31 -- August 4, 2017

University of Houston

























In recent years a number of long-standing problems in operator algebras have been settled using tools and techniques from mathematical logic. These breakthroughs have been the starting point for new lines of research in operator algebras that apply various concepts, tools, and ideas from logic and set theory to classification problems in operator algebras. This has now become one of most promising new techniques for classification problems for various types of C*-algebras. In fact, it has now been established that the correct framework for approaching many problems is provided by the recently developed theories that allow for applications of various aspects of mathematical logic (e.g., Borel complexity, descriptive set theory, model theory) to the context of operator algebraic and operator theoretic problems.



The purpose of this conference is two-fold: First, to serve as a "master class" for non-experts and young researchers to learn about fundamental concepts presented by Professor Ilijas Farah, a leading expert and renowned expositor of these topics; and second, to inform and update experts in other areas of operator algebras about the latest advances and achievements of the subject. More information on these talks, and the topics covered, can be found on our schedule page.



Update: Shortly before the conference, Ilijas Farah informed us that he unexpectedly needed to cancel his visit. To accommodate this change, the five talks in the master class will be delivered by Martino Lupini. These talks will still contain the material written by Ilijas, and Martino will be in close consultation with Ilijas regarding his presentation of the lectures.



A small amount of funding is available to cover housing costs of a few participants during the conference. These funds may be applied for on the registration form.



If you wish, you may download a poster for this conference.







A photo of participants at the conference. (Click on photo for a larger view.)

Ilijas Farah (University of York)David BlecherSøren EilersEusebio GardellaStephen HardyAstrid an HuefPiotr KoszmiderMartino LupiniPing Wong NgGreg OmanEfren RuizMarcin SabokNik Weaver

This conference is generously supported by NSF grant DMS-1700316. We are committed to the strengthening and enrichment of the mathematics personnel base, and to the development of the local region. Students, junior mathematicians, mathematicians from underrepresented groups, and researchers from the local region, are encouraged to apply for support.

Please send questions to any of the organizers.

Mehrdad Kalantar (University of Houston)Mark Tomforde (University of Houston)Ping Wong Ng (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)Leonel Robert (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)





This is the second in a series of conferences hosted between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Houston with the goal of increasing collaboration among Operator Algebraists working in the region. The first conference was on the topic of Classification of C*-algebras, Flow Equivalence of Shift Spaces, and Graph and Leavitt Path Algebras and the main speaker was Søren Eilers (University of Copenhagen).