Dr. Steven Rayan

Biography:

Dr. Steven Rayan (he/him) is a mathematician — more specifically, a geometer.  Before arriving at the University of Saskatchewan in 2016, he earned his doctorate at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Oxford and then spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto.  In his most recent research articles, he has been using geometry to discover new features of quantum physics, including quantum materials and quantum computing / information.  His work in quantum materials has been highlighted in high-profile venues such as Scientific American. In the last five years, he has been the recipient of two research and two teaching awards at USask. Dr. Rayan serves in a few different roles at USask: Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Lead for the new Signature Area of Research in Quantum Innovation, Director of the Centre for Quantum Topology and Its Applications (quanTA), Director of Interdisciplinary Programming in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Chair of the Mathematical Physics program. He enjoys these roles and finds tremendous synergy between them.  Steven strives to support interdisciplinary, high-risk, high-reward research, and these efforts include serving as a co-chair of the national multidisciplinary review committee for the Tri-Agency's New Frontiers in Research Fund (Exploration Stream) in recent years.  Saskatchewan has been an especially inspiring place for Steven to develop his perspective and research.  With its tall grasses, pristine lakes, and glimmering sky, this is the right place to think big!