Distinguished Mathematician Nick Trefethen Headlines 16th Annual Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics at Baylor University welcomed internationally recognized applied mathematician Professor Nick Trefethen as the featured speaker for the 16th Annual Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics. Currently a Professor of Applied Mathematics in Residence at Harvard University and formerly a longtime professor at the University of Oxford,

 Trefethen is widely recognized for his contributions to numerical analysis and scientific computing. A Fellow of the Royal Society and member of both the U.S. National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, he is also the author of several influential mathematics texts and the creator of Chebfun and co-developer of the AAA algorithm. Through a public lecture and mathematics colloquium, Trefethen shared insights into rational approximation, numerical analysis, and computational mathematics, highlighting research that continues to shape modern scientific computing.

During his visit, Trefethen presented two lectures focused on rational approximation, an area that has been the focus of his recent research. His public lecture “The AAA Algorithm for Rational Approximation” was held on October 29, 2026, in the Marrs McLean Science Building. This talk highlighted how the AAA algorithm has transformed a traditionally difficult computational problem into a practical and powerful tool with applications ranging from data interpolation to solving complex engineering and physics problems.

His colloquium lecture, “Quadrature = Rational Approximation”, presented on October 30, 2026, in the Marrs McLean Science Building offered a new perspective on numerical integration, showing how quadrature formulas can be understood through rational approximation techniques. The talk demonstrated how this approach can lead to new computational methods and applications.

Our Mathematics Graduate Students also had the opportunity to meet with Trefethen for a discussion on what it means to be a scientist, mathematician, and numerical mathematician in 2026. Using images drawn from his intellectual journey, he reflected on the ideas and experiences that have shaped his career, while students engaged in a thoughtful conversation about research, discovery, and the future of mathematics.

The lecture series provided Baylor students and faculty with the opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading mathematicians and gain insight into cutting-edge developments in computational mathematics.

For a poster advertising Dr. Trefethen’s lectures, click here.