The goal of this event is to bring together researchers working in free probability, random matrix theory, and operator algebras, with the aim of fostering new interactions, exchanging ideas, and promoting future collaborations.
The conference will highlight several major recent developments in free probability and random matrix theory and their interactions with operator algebras. Topics include, but are not limited to, analytical and combinatorial aspects of free probability, strong convergence phenomena for random matrices, free entropy and 1-bounded free entropy, Brown measure and non-Hermitian random matrix theory, and finite free probability.
By bringing together experts from diverse perspectives, the event seeks to advance our understanding and stimulate further progress of these rapidly developing areas.
Main Speakers:
Hari Bercovici (Indiana)
Nicholas Cook (Duke)
Ken Dykema (Texas A&M)
Yi Han (MIT)
Brian Hall (Notre Dame)
Ben Hayes (Virginia)*
Takahiro Hasebe (Hokkaido University)
Ching Wei Ho (Academia Sinica)
Srivatsav Kunnawalkam Elayavalli (Maryland)
James Mingo (Queen’s)
Brent Nelson (MSU)
Mihai Popa (UT San Antonio)
Dimitri Shlyakhtenko (UCLA)
Jorge Garza-Vargas (Princeton)
Dan Voiculescu (Berkeley)*
*: to be confirmed
Financial supports are available. Please indicate in the registration form if you like to apply. For a full consideration, please register before February 28th 2026. Priority will be given to graduate students, junior researchers, and participants without access to travel grants.
and
Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall (PGH) 232
Organizers: David Blecher (dpbleche at central.uh.edu) ; Anna Vershynina (avershyn at central.uh.edu); Ping Zhong (pzhong at central.uh.edu)
Support: National Science Foundation, Department of Mathematics at University of Houston