On the Global Stage: Purdue Mathematician Isaac Harris invited to give two plenary talks at leading conferences
04-13-2026
When mathematicians are invited to speak on some of the field’s most visible stages, it reflects not only the strength of their ideas, but their ability to connect those ideas across disciplines. This spring, Purdue University Associate Professor of Mathematics Isaac Harris will do just that, sharing his research at two prominent international conferences.
Harris has been selected as an invited speaker at a sectional meeting of the American Mathematical Society, one of the premier organizations for mathematicians in the United States. These meetings draw researchers from across the country to present the latest developments in mathematics, with invited speakers recognized for both their contributions to the field and their ability to engage a broad audience.
He will also deliver an invited address at the 17th International Conference on Mathematical and Numerical Aspects of Wave Propagation (WAVES2026), an international gathering that brings together mathematicians and physicists working on the theory and computation of wave behavior. The conference highlights advances that span disciplines, from fundamental mathematics to applications in science and engineering.
Harris, who holds the Barbara A. Kunze New Frontiers Professorship in Purdue’s Department of Mathematics, focuses his research on problems involving partial differential equations—mathematical tools used to describe how physical systems change. His work centers on acoustic and electromagnetic scattering, which examines how waves interact with objects.
These questions are more than theoretical. They play a key role in real-world applications such as non-destructive testing, where scientists and engineers use measurements taken at the surface of an object to determine what lies inside without causing damage. This approach is used in fields ranging from medical imaging to materials evaluation.
Harris specializes in inverse problems, a class of challenges that work backward from observed data to reconstruct hidden features. In particular, he develops methods to identify sources of waves and determine the shapes of objects based on how waves scatter. By focusing on qualitative and direct techniques, his research aims to make these reconstructions more efficient and reliable.
Together, his invitations to speak at both meetings highlight the growing impact of his work and its relevance across disciplines. As researchers continue to explore how mathematics can inform advances in science and engineering, Harris’ contributions are helping to shape the conversation.
About the Mathematics Department at Purdue University
The Department of Mathematics is one of seven departments making up Purdue's College of Science. The Department has an international reputation as an outstanding center for mathematical research and education. Over 70 professors are actively involved in research in many areas of mathematics, including visiting scholars and through a vibrant graduate program. The Department offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department is located in the Math Building at 150 N. University Street in West Lafayette, Indiana. Learn more at math.purdue.edu.
Written by: Alisha Willett, Communications Specialist, amwillet@purdue.edu
Contributors: Isaac Harris, harri814@purdue.edu