Colloquium: "Singularities from Geometric Representation Theory and Combinatorial Pattern Avoidance"
Alexander Woo, University of Idaho
Abstract: Geometric representation theory aims to use (algebraic) geometry to understand the representation theory of Lie groups. Some of the algebraic varieties most commonly involved are the flag varieties G/B and its subvarieties, such as Schubert varieties and K-orbit closures. On the other hand, pattern avoidance is a combinatorial notion coming originally from the study of sorting in computer science. It turns out that pattern avoidance and its generalizations play an important role in understanding the singularities of Schubert varieties and K-orbit closures.
Some of this talk is based on joint work with Ben Wyser and Alexander Yong.
Tea @ 3:45 in Cupples I, room 200