Gift elevates math institute’s global vision

By Maeve McQueeny-Lynch mxm193868@miami.edu 07-07-2025

Ten years ago, in a bold effort to foster collaboration across the hemisphere, the Simons Foundation-one of the most prestigious charitable organizations supporting mathematics and basic sciences-partnered with the University of Miami to establish the Institute of the Mathematical Sciences of the Americas (IMSA) at the University's Coral Gables Campus.

Now, with an additional $3 million in funding from the Simons Foundation, IMSA is poised to strengthen its mission to advance mathematics research across the Americas.

"IMSA is a place where mathematicians come together to explore ideas, form lasting collaborations, and expand the boundaries of what we understand," said Ludmil Katzarkov, executive director of IMSA and professor of mathematics at the University's College of Arts and Sciences. "The continued support of the Simons Foundation has allowed us to build a world-class community that not only generates foundational discoveries but also nurtures the next generation of mathematical leaders."

Since its inaugural conference in 2019, IMSA has rapidly emerged as a nexus for groundbreaking research and intellectual exchange by bringing the top minds in mathematics together, hosting captivating lecture series, and awarding grants and prizes to emerging mathematicians and their innovative research.

By cultivating intellectual exchange and championing the universal value of mathematics, IMSA is building a future where ideas cross borders and knowledge unites nations.

"The College of Arts and Sciences is grateful for the Simons Foundation's incredible generosity, which enabled the creation of IMSA and continues to power its important work," said Leonidas Bachas, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "This transformational gift will further advance IMSA's mission of fostering and sharing mathematics research throughout the Americas and strengthening mathematics education."

Yuri Tschinkel-a world-renowned mathematician who serves as executive vice president of mathematics and physical sciences at the Simons Foundation-said the University of Miami was the ideal place for IMSA due to its strong geographic position, visionary leadership, and strong mission to transform the world through education, research, innovation, and service.

Tschinkel emphasized that collaboration is a catalyst for discoveries.

"Spending a day face-to-face is a completely different chemistry and level of concentration," he said. "Sparks fly when you're physically together in a room and working together. Breakthroughs occur that might not happen otherwise."

Mathematics and its applications hold the potential to change the world, as demonstrated by the technologies we use every day.

"Distances shrink because of Zoom, which is built on cryptography and the mathematical tradition behind computer science," Tschinkel said. "Or ChatGPT, which is about efficiency, deep learning matrices, and linear and nonlinear transformations piled on top of each other to create something incredibly complex."

The beauty of math, Tschinkel said, is that while our understanding of it is constantly evolving, it continues to serve as a crucial framework and foundation for understanding the world around us.

Mathematics may not be as flashy as rockets or particle accelerators-and not nearly as expensive, Tschinkel noted-but it's as important to daily life as vitamins are to our health.

"Math is essential to understanding complex, observable systems. It's one thing to accumulate data, but math helps us witness the system at work and make sense of what it all means," Tschinkel said.

The Simons Foundation hopes to cultivate a passion for mathematics among the next generation.

"I think the more people know about all the cool things that they can do in math and science, the better," Tschinkel said, adding that IMSA offers unique opportunities for students to get in on the fun.

"Undergraduates and graduate students can learn from top scientists and mathematicians, make connections, and enter the job market leveraging experiences with leaders in the field, which is an advantage that not every university has," Tschinkel said.

But perseverance is key, Tschinkel said in a reminder to students, and frustration is part of the problem-solving process.

"It's impossible to understand everything immediately. What actually matters is your commitment to exploring how mathematics works," he said. "Have patience with yourself, take as much time as you need, and remember that when you finally solve the problem, it's really a great feeling."

Learn more about IMSA and its programs.