Mathematical Physics

At Cornell, we use sophisticated mathematics of probability theory, quantum theory, nonlinear dynamics and bifurcation theory, and differential geometry to wide-ranging problems of interest to physics and complex systems. These techniques have been central to our understanding of the synchronization of fireflies, infectious disease dynamics in complex populations, algorithms for 3D X-ray imaging of cellular structures, categorization of topological quantum materials, and the effectiveness of simple models in describing our complex world.