K O I   C O M B I N A T O R I C S   L E C T U R E S

The KOI Combinatorics Lectures is a joint venture between combinatorialists from the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana area.

The goal of this series of meetings is to foster and build intergenerational friendship and collaboration between researchers broadly defined (graduate students, postdocs, faculty) in the KOI area.

Organizing Committee:
Saúl A. Blanco (IU), Mihai Ciucu (IU), Richard Ehrenborg (UK), Eric Katz (OSU), Margaret Readdy (UK)

The organizers would like to acknowledge The Ohio State University for their generous support.

F A L L   2 0 2 6

Fifth meeting:  October 3, 2026 (in-person)

Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus OH

Local Organizing Committee:
Cesar Cuenca (OSU),  Eric Katz (OSU)

Speakers:  María Angélica Cueto (The Ohio State University), Pavel Galashin (Cornell), Hunter Spink (University of Toronto).

There will also be a Colloquium talk on Friday, October 2, 2026 by Alexander Barvinok (University of Michigan).

Conference Schedule:

Friday, October 2, 2026
03:14 (π time) Colloquium Tea
04:15 - 05:10 pm Colloquium Talk
06:00 pm Colloquium Dinner

Saturday, October 3, 2026
All Saturday lectures are held in TBA.

09:00 - 09:59 am  Arrival/Registration/Meet and Greet/Poster set up time
09:59 - 10:00 am  Welcome, Welcome speech
10:00 - 11:00 am  Speaker, "TBA"
11:00 - 11:30 am  Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30 pm  Speaker, "TBA"
12:30 - 02:30 pm  Lunch Break
02:30 - 03:14 pm  The Koi Pond Panel
03:14 (π time) - 04:09 pm  Tea Time and the One Picture/One Theorem Poster Session
04:10 - 05:10 pm  Speaker, "TBA"
05:11 - 05:20 pm  Conference Photo
06:00 pm -            Conference Dinner

Talk Titles and Abstracts:

Alexander Barvinok, TBA

Abstract

María Angélica Cueto, TBA

Abstract

Pavel Galashin, TBA

Abstract

Hunter Spink, "Quasisymmetric Schubert calculus and the quasisymmetric flag variety".

Quasisymmetric functions are a stable of algebraiccombinatorics. In this talk I will discuss a family of polynomial called "forest polynomials" that interact with a degenerate version of the divided difference operations governing Schubert polynomials. I will also outline the geometry behind this construction.

One Picture One Theorem Poster Session Presenters:

Parking:

Parking:

Tuttle Garage: 2050 Tuttle Park Pl. Columbus, OH 43210  map

Lane Avenue Garage: 2105 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH 43210  map

Map of all parking garages on campus:  OSU parking map 

Hotel information:

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Springhill Suites, 1421 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 4321.  $139/night.  It is located approximately 2 miles away from OSU.  Phone (614) 297-9912. 

Here is the reservation link.

KOI Lunch List:  

Registration:  registration form 

Funding:  The NSF DMS conference grant for the KOI Combinatorics Lectures provides partial funding for participant travel and local costs.  Priority will be placed on funding those individuals to participate who do not have access to other federal support, or who are students, post-doctoral scholars, or from underrepresented groups.  

Funding request form:  funding request form (due September 15, 2026)

Childcare and family care conference resources:  In order to encourage participants whose attendance is contingent in having childcare or family care in place, the NSF has generously provided childcare and family care support.  Please indicate any need when you register.

Pre-registered Participants (so far):

Alexander Barvinok (University of Michigan)

Saúl A. Blanco (Indiana University)

McCuen Brodie (Indiana University)

Mihai Ciucu (Indiana University)

María Angélica Cueto (The Ohio State University)

Anakin Dey (The Ohio State University)

Ehren Dolan (University of Tennessee)

Richard Ehrenborg (University of Kentucky)

Pavel Galashin (Cornell)

Jimmy He (The Ohio State University)

Evan Henning (University of Kentucky)

Nathan Jones (The Ohio State University)

Eric Katz (The Ohio State University)

Jackson Leaman (University of Kentucky)

Luke Martin (University of Kentucky)

Rus May (Morehead State University)

Brodie McCuen (Indiana University)

Brian Macdonald (University of Kentucky)

Jaewon Min (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign)

Prakod Ngamlamai (The Ohio State University)

Hai Van Le (North Carolina State University)

Margaret Readdy (University of Kentucky)

Doel Rivera Laboy (University of Kentucky)

Finn Southerland (University of Kentucky)

Hunter Spink (University of Toronto)

Kumar Vinayak (University of Kentucky)

Lok Yam (University of Kentucky)

Non-discrimination statement and conduct:  The KOI Combinatorics Lectures promotes and encourages a welcoming environment for individuals from all backgrounds.  We actively promote participation from all career stages and from all backgrounds.

Our goal is to foster a wonderful learning community and exchange of ideas.  As per Federal regulations, there is a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran or service status, disability, any other protected category, or identity.  We expect all participants to conduct themselves conscientiously and respectfully. We will not allow harassment or inappropriate behavior. Conference organizers have full discretion to enforce this policy.

If you wish to be added to the KOI Combinatorics Lectures mailing list, please send an e-mail to: koi.combinatorics@gmail.com. 

Last updated:  September 12, 2026