Members of the community are invited to attend a public lecture by Ken Golden, who is often described as the Indiana Jones of Mathematics. In his talk, Dr. Golden will explain how new mathematical models promise better understanding of the precipitous loss of Arctic sea ice, which has far outpaced expert predictions. Come along as he explores the crucial role of math in improving sea-ice projections and takes us (via video) on an Antarctic expedition.

Dr. Golden will show how mathematical models of composite materials and statistical physics are being developed to study key sea ice structures and processes and advance how sea ice is represented in climate models. Golden's theories of sea ice behavior have been developed in conjunction with his field experiments in both the Arctic and Antarctic. This work is helping to improve projections of the fate of Earth's ice packs and the response of the polar ecosystems they support.

Image for "Modeling Sea Ice in a Changing Climate "

About the Speaker

Kenneth M. Golden is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Utah. His scientific interests lie in sea ice, climate, composite materials, percolation theory, statistical physics, diffusion processes, and inverse problems. He has published papers in journals in mathematics, physics, geophysics, oceanography, ecology, remote sensing, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomechanics, and given over 400 invited lectures on six continents, including three presentations in the US Congress.

Golden has journeyed seven times to Antarctica and eleven times to the Arctic to study sea ice. In 2011, he was selected as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics for "extraordinary interdisciplinary work on the mathematics of sea ice," and in 2013 he was an Inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. Professor Golden received the University of Utah's highest award for teaching in 2007 and for research in 2012. In 2014, Golden was elected as a Fellow of the Explorers Club, whose members have included Robert Peary, Sir Edmund Hillary, Neil Armstrong, and Jane Goodall.

His polar expeditions and mathematical work have been covered in over 50 newspaper, magazine, and web articles, including profiles in Science, Science News, Scientific American and Physics Today. He has also been interviewed numerous times on radio and television, and featured in videos produced by the National Science Foundation and NBC News.

Kenneth M. Golden, University of Utah

Lecture Video