Assistant Professor Manuel Rivera to join faculty in Fall 2019

08-09-2019

Manuel Rivera will join the Department of Mathematics as a new tenure-track assistant professor in Fall 2019.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from MIT in 2010 and then went to CUNY Graduate Center to work under the supervision of Prof. Dennis Sullivan, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 2015. From 2015-2016 he was a postdoc at Institut de Mathématiques de Jussieu in Paris, France. From 2015- 2018, he held a joint Research Assistant Professorship between the University of Miami and CINVESTAV in Mexico City. He is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Manuel is primarily interested in understanding algebraic and combinatorial structures arising in topology and geometry. He mainly uses tools from algebraic topology such as abstract homotopy theory, homological and homotopical algebra, the theory of operads, and higher category theory. More specifically, he uses these tools to understand and compute structures coming from topological quantum field theories, string topology, and symplectic topology. Manuel enjoys interacting and sharing ideas with mathematicians from different fields and backgrounds. 

Manuel is also interested in discussing and developing initiatives, policies, and ideas that promote diversity in mathematics and make quality research and education accessible to all.