Content
Operator Theory and Operator Algebras are concerned with the study of linear operators, usually on vector spaces whose elements are functions. The subject is analysis, but because the vector spaces are usually infinite dimensional, the subject has a nice blend of techniques from other areas of mathematics, ranging from algebra to topology to dynamical systems.
There are two events:
- A weekly research seminar, Wednesdays at 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Avery 117
- A student-run Operator Theory Reading Seminar
Speakers, Fall 2026
- Sept 2, Austin Gubbels, The C*-algebra Generated by a Unitary
- Sept 9, Makenzie Amann, The Wold Decomposition of an Isometry
- Sept 16, Alex Meyers, The Toeplitz C*-algebra
People
Faculty
Allan Donsig has interests in structural results for nonselfadjoint operator algebras and applications of inverse semigroups to operator algebras. Recent papers are on such topics as coordinatization results, amalgams of inverse semigroups, tight C*-algebras, and describing Cartan MASAs in von Neumann algebras in terms of inverse semgroup extensions. More information, including recent papers, are on Allan's homepage.
David Pitts has interests in coordinatization of operator algebras, operator space theory, free semigroup algebras (a non-commutative analog of analytic functions in several variables) and nest algebras.
Christopher Schafhauser has interest in the structure and classification theory of nuclear (a.k.a. amenable) C*-algebras. Other interests include crossed product C*-algebras, graph C*-algebras, and connections between operator algebras quantum information theory.
Current Graduate Students
Austin Gubbels
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Alexander Myers
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Alumni
Mikkel Munkholm (PhD 2026)
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Jordan Crawford (MS 2023)
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Greg Faurot (PhD 2024)
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Sean Gravelle (MS 2024)
Advised by: David Pitts
Valerie Morris (MS 2022)
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser
Stephanie Prahl (MS 2023)
Advised by: David Pitts
Catherine Zimmitti (PhD 2024)
Advised by: David Pitts
Apala Mandal (MS 2024)
Advised by: Chris Schafhauser and Allan Donsig
Juliana Bukoski (PhD 2021)
Advised by: Allan Donsig
Robert Huben (PhD 2021)
Advised by: David Pitts and Mark Brittenham
Derek DeSantis (PhD 2019)
Advised by: David Pitts
Mitch Hamidi (PhD 2019)
Advised by: Allan Donsig
Lara Ismert (PhD 2019)
Advised by: Allan Donsig and David Pitts
Travis Russell (PhD 2017)
Advised by: Allan Donsig
Philip Gipson (PhD 2015)
Advised by: David Pitts
Christopher Schafhauser (PhD 2015)
Advised by: Allan Donsig and David Pitts
Firuz Kamalov (PhD 2011)
Advised by: Allan Donsig
William Grilliette (PhD 2011)
Advised by: David Pitts