Overview
Professor Miller's research centers around problems in geometry,
algebra, topology, probability, statistics, and computation
originating in mathematics and the sciences, including biology,
chemistry, computer science, and imaging.
The techniques range, for example, from abstract algebraic geometry or
commutative algebra of ideals and varieties to concrete metric or
discrete geometry of polyhedral spaces; from deep topological
constructions such as equivariant K-theory and stratified Morse theory
to elementary simplicial and persistent homology; from functorial
perspectives on homological algebra in the derived category to
specific constructions of complexes based on combinatorics of cell
decompositions; from geodesic collapse applied to central limit
theorems for samples from stratified spaces to dynamics of explicit
polynomial vector fields on polyhedra.
Beyond motivations from within mathematics, the sources of these
problems lie in, for example, graphs and trees in evolutionary biology
and medical imaging; mass-action kinetics of chemical reactions;
computational geometry, symbolic computation, and combinatorial game
theory; Lie theory; and geometric statistics of data sampled from
highly non-Euclidean spaces. Examples of datasets under consideration
include MRI images of blood vessels in human brains and lungs, 3D
folded protein structures, and photographs of fruit fly wings for
developmental morphological studies.
algebra, topology, probability, statistics, and computation
originating in mathematics and the sciences, including biology,
chemistry, computer science, and imaging.
The techniques range, for example, from abstract algebraic geometry or
commutative algebra of ideals and varieties to concrete metric or
discrete geometry of polyhedral spaces; from deep topological
constructions such as equivariant K-theory and stratified Morse theory
to elementary simplicial and persistent homology; from functorial
perspectives on homological algebra in the derived category to
specific constructions of complexes based on combinatorics of cell
decompositions; from geodesic collapse applied to central limit
theorems for samples from stratified spaces to dynamics of explicit
polynomial vector fields on polyhedra.
Beyond motivations from within mathematics, the sources of these
problems lie in, for example, graphs and trees in evolutionary biology
and medical imaging; mass-action kinetics of chemical reactions;
computational geometry, symbolic computation, and combinatorial game
theory; Lie theory; and geometric statistics of data sampled from
highly non-Euclidean spaces. Examples of datasets under consideration
include MRI images of blood vessels in human brains and lungs, 3D
folded protein structures, and photographs of fruit fly wings for
developmental morphological studies.
Office Hours
Office hours: Tuesday, 13:00 – 14:15 in Physics 209 or outside
Thursday, 13:00 – 14:15 in Physics 209 or outside
Thursday, 13:00 – 14:15 in Physics 209 or outside
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Mathematics
·
2009 - Present
Mathematics,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Scholarly Works
RNAprecis: Prediction of full-detail RNA conformation from the experimentally best-observed sparse parameters.
Journal article PLoS Comput Biol · May 2026 We address the problem of predicting high-detail RNA structure geometry from the information available in low-detail experimental maps. Here, low-detail refers to resolutions ≈ 2.5-3.5Å, where the location of the phosphate groups and the glycosidic bonds c ... Full text Link to item CiteEssential graded algebra over polynomial rings with real exponents
Journal article Advances in Mathematics · February 1, 2026 The geometric and algebraic theory of monomial ideals and multigraded modules is initiated over real-exponent polynomial rings and, more generally, monoid algebras for real polyhedral cones. The main results include the generalization of Nakayama's lemma; ... Full text CiteRNAprecis: Prediction of full-detail RNA conformation from the experimentally best-observed sparse parameters.
Preprint · March 5, 2025 We address the problem of predicting high detail RNA structure geometry from the information available in low resolution experimental maps of electron density. Here low resolution refers to ≥2.5Å where the location of the phosphate groups and the glyocosid ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
RTG: Linked via L-functions: training versatile researchers across number theory
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEKey Faculty · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2028OODA: Statistics with geometric sample spaces
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2025 - 2028R2 [Reciprocal Relationships]: Mentorships to Strengthen and Sustain STEM Teachers
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2026View All Grants
Education
University of California, Berkeley ·
2000
Ph.D.
Brown University ·
1995
B.S.