Some of the most groundbreaking ideas in mathematics emerge when people with different perspectives come together. Chapman University Assistant Professor of Mathematics Dr. Polona Durcik is preparing to do just that after receiving a $35,000 gift from the Simons Foundation to support her work in mathematics at Schmid College of Science and Technology.
Expanding Global Mathematical Collaboration
This support will fuel international collaboration and advance research in harmonic analysis—a highly specialized area of pure mathematics that explores how complex functions interact and break down into simpler parts. Although abstract, this field underpins technologies that impact our daily lives, including medical imaging, audio compression, and data analysis in fields ranging from physics to artificial intelligence.
Over the next five years, Dr. Durcik will utilize the funds to travel to leading mathematical centers worldwide, meet with collaborators, and invite visiting researchers to Chapman. Together, they aim to foster a community that connects theory, computation, and diverse global perspectives.
“This award provides crucial support for attending conferences and collaborating with other mathematicians, enhancing my research in harmonic analysis and broadening its impact,” explained Dr. Durcik.
About Dr. Durcik’s Research in Harmonic Analysis
Dr. Durcik’s current work focuses on understanding quantitative properties of mathematical functions and how they behave under different transformations, as well as how these behaviors reveal hidden relationships between different areas of math. Her studies bridge Fourier analysis, ergodic theory (the study of long-term behavior in dynamical systems), and combinatorics, creating new perspectives within these areas of mathematics.
“This award is further confirmation of the inspiring research that Dr. Durcik is conducting in her field, which has applications to a broad range of disciplines, including structural engineering, music theory, and quantum mechanics,” said Dr. Christopher Kim, interim dean of Schmid College.
While mathematics is sometimes viewed as a solitary pursuit, Dr. Durcik emphasizes the opposite: that progress often depends on shared curiosity and open exchange. By engaging directly with peers around the world, she hopes to advance not only her own research but also the culture of collaboration within Chapman’s mathematics community.
Simons Foundation Support Drives Innovation
The Simons Foundation is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind. Through initiatives like this, the foundation supports researchers who are expanding our understanding of the universe and inspiring the next generation of scientific thinkers.
“We’re looking forward to hearing about the new collaborations and ideas that Dr. Durcik will bring back to Chapman as a result of her travels, thanks to this support from the Simons Foundation,” Dr. Kim shared.
If Dr. Durcik’s work inspires you, consider donating to Chapman University today.
Completing the program provides research students with a solid foundation in mathematics and prepares them for a variety of mathematics-related career options, which often include roles in statistical and data analysis, actuarial science, technology, computation, and many other fields, as well as K-12 teaching opportunities and master's and Ph.D. programs.
