Abstract: Biology and mathematics are considered opposite to each other by many people. But mathematics has vast application when it comes to biology. Data generated in biology needs to be analyzed where statistics play an important role. Due to the advent of computers and their use in biostatistics, a new field of Bayesian statistics has emerged. So this will be a brief introduction to Bayesian statistics and its use in the field of biology.

Abstract: We, humans, have a tendency to search for patterns in almost everything to understand the facts clearly but have you ever thought about the origin of these patterns in nature? Like the stripes in zebras or spots on cows or our human fingerprints. Do these occur randomly? Or there is something mystical or some kind of logical rhyme? What is the difference between Zebra stripes and Sand Dunes?

In this talk, we will use mathematics to answer these questions and will discuss the contributions of Alan Turing, the father of computer science, whose love for seeking patterns had led to this great theory.

Recording is available here

Abstract: The idea of a spherical Earth, even though existed in the 3rd Century BC, took a lot of time to get accepted by the masses (We’re sorry Flat Earthers). We have indeed come a long way from then, as you would see in the talk. We are questioning about the curvature of a thing we can’t even perceive, The Four-Dimensional Space-Time. But how do you even attempt at questioning something like that? The answer lies in the areas of Mathematics called Differential Geometry and Topology. It is interesting to note that the questions about the Space-time curvature were not raised by Physicists until the late 1950s, whereas Mathematicians were already playing around with Topological Spaces and Differential Geometry in the 1800s.

In the talk, we would try our best to address some of these questions and also try to justify, that why at all do we need to ask these questions? We would also take a small detour to see how one locates different celestial objects.

SPOILER ALERT: Just like Earth, Space-Time is also not flat!

Recording is available here