Mark Tomforde Explained

Mark Tomforde
Nationality:American
Workplaces:University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Houston
Thesis Title:Extensions of Graph C*-algebras
Thesis Year:2002
Doctoral Advisor:Dana P. Williams
Website:https://www.marktomforde.com
Spouses:)-->
Education:Dartmouth College, Ph.D. (2002)
Partners:)-->

Mark Tomforde is an American mathematician and Professor of Mathematics at University of Colorado Colorado Springs after leaving the University of Houston in 2020. He works in the areas of functional analysis and algebra, and he earned his Ph.D. in mathematics at Dartmouth College in 2002. Tomforde's research interests are in operator algebras and C*-algebras.

He was an invited speaker at the 2015 Abel Symposium,[1] and he is a founding member of the Algebras and Rings in Colorado Springs (ARCS) center.[2] Tomforde has researched the related areas of graph C*-algebras and Leavitt path algebras. With Doug Drinen, he is co-creator of the Drinen-Tomforde desingularization, often simply called desingularization.[3] With Gene Abrams, Tomforde has formulated the Abrams-Tomforde conjectures, and Abrams and Tomforde have verified certain special cases of the conjectures.[4] Tomforde studied ultragraph C*-algebras.[5] Tomforde has also been active in organizing several conferences on graph C*-algebras and their generalizations, with the goal of bringing together analysts and algebraists to share ideas and collaborate.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Tomforde created and directed the Cougars and Houston Area Mathematics Program (CHAMP), which was last active in Spring 2019. CHAMP had previously received an award from Phi Beta Kappa[11] and the Award for Mathematics Programs that Make a Difference from the American Mathematical Society.[12] [13] In 2019 Tomforde was recognized with the MAA Texas Section's Distinguished College and University Teaching of Mathematics Award. In 2020 he was the recipient of the Deborah and Franklin Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics from the Mathematical Association of America.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Abel Symposium: 2015 symposium. abelsymposium.no.
  2. Web site: ARCS — Members. arcs-center.org.
  3. Ch.6 of Graph Algebras, Iain Raeburn, CBMS Regional Conference Series in Mathematics, 103. Published for the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences, Washington, DC; by the American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 2005. vi+113 pp.
  4. Isomorphism and Morita equivalence of graph algebras, Gene Abrams and Mark Tomforde, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 363 (2011), no. 7, 3733-3767.
  5. A unified approach to Exel-Laca algebras and C*-algebras associated to graphs, Mark Tomforde, J. Operator Theory 50 (2003), no. 2, 345-368.
  6. "Graph Algebras: Operator Algebras We Can See", NSF-CBMS Regional Conference in the Mathematical Sciences, Principal Lecturer: Iain Raeburn, Organizers: Paul Muhly, David Pask, and Paul Muhly, University of Iowa, June 2004
  7. "Graph Algebras in Analysis and Algebra", Special Session at the AMS/MAA Joint Mathematics Meetings, Organizers: Gene Abrams and Mark Tomforde, San Francisco, CA, January 2010
  8. "Graph Algebras: Bridges between graph C*-algebras and Leavitt path algebras", 5-day workshop at the Banff International Research Station (BIRS), Main Organizer: Mark Tomforde, April 2013
  9. "Classification of C*-algebras, Flow Equivalence of Shift Spaces, and Graph and Leavitt Path Algebras", Principal Lecturer: Søren Eilers, Organizers: Gary Birkenmeier, Daniel Davis, P. W. Ng, Leonel Robert, and Mark Tomforde, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, May 2015
  10. "Workshop on Cuntz-Pimsner Algebras", Organizer: Mark Tomforde, University of Houston, December 2019
  11. Phi Beta Kappa Award for Engaging Broader Audiences,
  12. Mathematics Programs That Make a DifferenceNotices of the American Mathematical Society Vol. 65, Num. 5, May 2018
  13. Building on a Foundation of Grit: Houston's CHAMP Gives Students Tools for Success in STEM (and Life) by Elizabeth Platt Hamblin, Notices of the American Mathematical Society Vol. 65, Num. 5, May 2018, p.572--577
  14. Web site: Mathematical Association of America Awards Haimo Awards at 2020 Joint Mathematics Meetings Mathematical Association of America. www.maa.org.