The representation theory faculty work on a range of problems related to Lie algebras and algebraic groups, using techniques drawn from combinatorics, geometry, and algebra. An algebraic group is an algebraic variety which is also a group and its tangent space at the identity comes with a Lie algebra structure. Representation theory is concerned with understanding how to embed the group (or the Lie algebra) into the set of matrices. Our research interests involve studying the rich collection of algebraic and geometric structures related to these embeddings, over the complex numbers and other fields. Such structures include Schubert varieties, affine and double affine Hecke algebras, symplectic reflection algebras, Springer fibers, nilpotent orbits, and affine Grassmannians, to name a few.

The Representation Theory Seminar is our main research venue, and most members also attend the Valley Geometry Seminar. In recent years, we have organized reading courses and special seminars geared specifically toward graduate students, including ones on Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials, cluster algebras, quiver varieties and Springer theory.

The diagram above shows Kazhdan-Lusztig cells in the affine reflection group of type G2.

Faculty

Professor; Director, Graduate Program

Tom Braden
Research Interests: Topology of algebraic varieties; Representation Theory; Combinatorics
Tom Braden

Professor; Director, Math PhD Graduate Admissions

Paul Gunnells writing on a chalkboard.
Research Interests: Number theory
Paul Gunnells writing on a chalkboard.

Associate Professor

A headshot of Owen Gwilliam.
Research Interests: quantum field theory, derived geometry, higher categories
A headshot of Owen Gwilliam.

Professor

A headshot of Alexei Oblomkov.
Research Interests: Representation Theory, Algebraic Geometry and Mathematical Physics
A headshot of Alexei Oblomkov.

Professor and Associate Department Head for Curriculum

Eric Sommers.
Research Interests: Representation Theory, Algebraic Combinatorics
Eric Sommers.

Visiting Assistant Professor

UMass collegiate M maroon on gray
Visiting Assistant Professor
UMass collegiate M maroon on gray

Emeritus

Professor Emeritus

UMass collegiate M maroon on gray
Research Interests: Representation theory, algebraic geometry, Geometric Representation Theory, Quantum Field Theory, Number Theory, Algebraic Geometry
UMass collegiate M maroon on gray

Professor Emeritus

Floyd Williams.
Floyd Williams.