Press release: Gresham College Welcomes Alain Goriely as New Professor of Geometry

10 June 2024

Gresham College is proud to announce the appointment of Alain Goriely as the new Professor of Geometry. Goriely, a distinguished mathematician renowned for his contributions to dynamical systems, mathematical biology, and mechanics, will join the college in delivering free public lectures on significant mathematical topics starting this September. 

In his new role at Gresham College, Goriely will provide a series of lectures aimed at exploring how mathematical ideas were born from understanding the brain, addressing fundamental questions that have fascinated generations of scientists. His lectures will draw from his extensive research and offer insights into the mathematical theory of biological growth, brain modelling, and more. 

Professor Alain Goriely brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in the field of mathematics. His appointment reaffirms the college's dedication to addressing contemporary issues through free, high-quality educational offerings. 

Known for his development of a mathematical theory of biological growth, Alain Goriely has had a profound impact on applied mathematics and mechanics. He received his PhD from the University of Brussels and subsequently became a lecturer there. In 1996, he joined the University of Arizona, establishing a research group within the Program of Applied Mathematics. In 2010, he joined the University of Oxford as the inaugural Statutory Professor of Mathematical Modelling and fellow of St. Catherine’s College. He is currently the Director of the Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. 

In addition to his academic achievements, Goriely has engaged in scientific outreach based on his research, addressing topics such as tendril perversion in plants, umbilical cord knotting, and the shape of seashells. His influential works include his seminal monograph "The Mathematics and Mechanics of Biological Growth" (2017), and he has received numerous awards, including a Sloan Fellowship and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Award and the Engineering Medal of the Society of Engineering Science. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2022. 

Professor Alain Goriely will deliver regular lectures at Gresham College as their new Professor of Geometry starting in Autumn 2024. His inaugural lecture, "The Big Brain: Size and Intelligence," will take place at 6 pm on Tuesday, 17th September, at Barnard's Inn Hall, London. 

This lecture will be the first in Goriely's series, "Mathematics and the Brain," which explores the human brain as an organ of extreme complexity and a source of endless mathematical challenges. The series will cover age-old questions about brain geometry, the emergence of brain convolutions, connections within the brain, decoding perceptual signals, and the catastrophic failures of these systems. Goriely will demonstrate how great mathematical ideas have been born from understanding the brain, using geometry, scaling laws, modelling, and network topology to uncover basic principles shaping and working our brain. 

Speaking about his new role, Professor Goriely shared: 

"I am thrilled to join Gresham College and share my passion for mathematics with a broader audience. Understanding the brain through mathematical principles is a journey of endless fascination and profound discoveries. My upcoming lecture series will focus on the intricate relationship between brain geometry and function, demonstrating how mathematical insights can illuminate the complexities of the brain. I look forward to engaging with the public and exploring these compelling topics together." 

For more information about Alain Goriely and his upcoming lectures, please visit the Gresham College website at www.gresham.ac.uk.  

ENDS 

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About Gresham College 
Gresham College has been providing free, educational lectures - at the university level - since 1597 when Sir Thomas Gresham founded the college to bring Renaissance Learning to Londoners. Our history includes some of the luminaries of the scientific revolution including Robert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren, and connects us to the foundation of the Royal Society. 

Today we carry on Sir Thomas's vision. The College aims to stimulate intellectual curiosity and to champion academic rigour, professional expertise and freedom of expression. www.gresham.ac.uk  

Gresham College is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity no. 1039962) and a limited company (Company no. 2953431)