Why build categorical models?

Abstract: There are two claims I'd like to explore: (1) building a formal categorical model is useful and also complex (2) building a formal categorical model is made considerably easier with the right tools. I'll walk through a story from earlier this year about a collaborative workshop with the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Pandemic Expansion and what it looks like to build a categorical model to recover a system of ODEs from an immuno-epidemiological model.

This talk will be moderated by Ted Theodosopoulos.

Speaker's bio: Tim is a researcher at the Topos Institute with a background in higher category theory and complex geometry. He is now Social Impact Lead, working on understanding how the work we do as mathematicians can positively shape the world around us.

Moderator's bio: Ted is a mathematician who, after working for years in academia and industry, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago, the last nine at Nueva, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems, with particular applications in biology and economics.

Computer scienceMathematics

Audience: researchers in the topic

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Relatorium seminar

Series comments: The name "Relatorium" combines "relator" with the Latin root "-ium," meaning "a place for activities" (as in "auditorium" or "gymnasium"). This seminar series is a platform to relate ideas, interact with math, and connect with each other.

In this series, we explore math beyond what we usually hear in standard talks. These sessions fall somewhere between a technical talk and a podcast: moderately formal, yet conversational. The philosophy behind the series is that math is best learned by active participation rather than passive listening. Our aim is to “engage and involve,” inviting everyone to think actively with the speaker. The concepts are accessible, exploratory, and intended to spark questions and discussions.

The idea of relatability has strong ties to compassion — creating space for shared understanding and exploration - which is the spirit of this seminar! This is a pilot project, so we’re here to improvise, learn, and evolve as we go!

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