Author: akuncu

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. 21-22 December 2018 Srinivasa Ramanujan’s legacy is undeniable in the mathematics community. His uncanny story from his birth in the small town of Kumbakonam to his election as the first Indian as a Fellow of the Trinity College in Cambridge and his early passing is well known and now even in film format. The accomplishments he packed in his 32 year long life, in a bad choice of words: his “innovations,” makes him the Steve Jobs of mathematics. One can only wonder where mathematics would have been if he were to see 35, 40 or even 50? Ramanujan’s legacy is transformed into heritage in his hometown with the efforts of the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) University. This young university built a reputation for their quality of education inside India and for the Annual International Conferences on mathematics inspired by Ramanujan’s work. Later, this annual conference is crowned with the Ramanujan prize to

read more An account on the 16th International Conference on Srinivasa Ramanujan

My end of many beginnings was the launch of my late year plans. I was going to my hometown to take care of some well needed business. The obligations I was carrying from Florida was worrying me a little. Went to Tampa airport to start a chain of flights on a sunny day. Said my goodbyes, checked in, cleared security, and went into an empty plane. “A short flight to Detroit” I told myself “don’t give in and fall asleep now; next one is the long one.” Landed smoothly at Detroit, even a tiny bit earlier than expected. I felt better about my short layover. It was going to be easier to catch the next flight. I saw my connection’s gate information on the screen, and repeated it to myself for it to stick. Another fellow passenger of my route overheard my mumbling and joined me. We started chit chatting. An easy to talk to, down to earth girl with

read more The Random 4: Stranded in Detroit

In the early summer of 2014, I had the chance of showing Turkey, as I like it, to three of my PhD friends from Florida. I knew them all from the beginning of my Gainesville days. Smart bunch, all have doctorates now. One was my flatmate of the time, let’s name him Dillard. And I had preliminary arrangements to move in with the the other two after Dillard leaves Florida. A couple, Ben and Liz. It was the second time in Turkey for Dillard and Liz. Dillard joined me at an earlier trip. Liz lived in a southeastern city when she was a kid. They were comfortable, and they knew what to expect for the most part. On the other hand, this trip was the main reason of Ben getting his first passport. Don’t underestimate Ben though, he was the most comfortable one throughout the time in Turkey. We started at Istanbul. We have seen more than the mosques and museums one can

read more An unexpected neurology visit