The University of Oregon Department of Mathematics will host distinguished mathematician Victor Reiner for a three-day lecture series early next month, exploring the intersections of algebra, geometry, and advanced counting techniques. Reiner, a Distinguished McKnight Professor in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota, is a prominent figure in the field of combinatorics—the study of finite or countable discrete structures.
A Princeton University alumnus, Reiner earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the guidance of renowned mathematician Richard Stanley. His career accolades include an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship, a Sloan Fellowship, and election as a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, where he has also served on the AMS Council.
Beyond his research and his mentorship of 22 PhD students, Reiner is a prominent advocate for the "diamond open access" publishing model in academia, which seeks to make mathematical research freely accessible to authors and readers alike without institutional paywalls.
His upcoming visit to the UO campus will feature three distinct talks, beginning with an accessible presentation for general audiences followed by two specialized research seminars. All lectures are free and open to the university community and interested members of the public.
Lecture Schedule and Topics
Talk 1: Algebra and q-counting (General Audience)
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 2, 4-5 p.m.
Location: 128 Chiles Hall
Overview: Designed for a broader audience, this lecture introduces the concept of "q-counting"—a method in enumerative combinatorics that introduces a parameter, q, to track specific structural properties within objects. Reiner will demonstrate how a minimal amount of algebra can simplify traditional counting problems, applying the technique to subsets, number partitions, and unlabeled graphs.
Talk #2: Reflection Groups and q-counting
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 3, 4-5 p.m.
Location: 125 McKenzie Hall
Overview: This technical talk bridges classical combinatorial counts (such as binomial coefficients and Catalan numbers) with finite real reflection groups. Reiner will argue for specific q-count selections that reveal hidden cyclic symmetries, utilizing ring deformation techniques to connect these mathematical viewpoints.
Talk #3: Ehrhart Theory and q-counting
Date & Time: Thursday, June 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: 245 Straub Hall
Overview: The final lecture focuses on geometry and commutative algebra. Reiner will review classical Ehrhart theory—which analyzes how the number of integer grid points inside a convex shape grows when scaled up—and introduce a new framework, co-authored with Brendon Rhoades, that applies q-counting to these expanding geometric structures.