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Lenhard Lee Ng

Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics
216 Physics Building, Box 90320, Durham, NC 27708-0320
120 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


My research mainly focuses on symplectic topology and low-dimensional topology. I am interested in studying structures in symplectic and contact geometry (Weinstein manifolds, contact manifolds, Legendrian and transverse knots), especially through holomorphic-curve techniques. One particular interest is extracting topological information about knots through cotangent bundles, and exploring relations to topological string theory. I have also worked in Heegaard Floer theory, quantum topology, and sheaf theory, especially as they relate to Legendrian and transverse knots.

Office Hours


Fall 2024:
  • Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 (Math 401; may end early)
  • Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 (Math 401)
  • Fridays 3:30-5:00 (Math 281S)
and by appointment.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Mathematics · 2016 - Present Mathematics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published March 4, 2024
Duke Math Team Excels at a Test Where Perfection is a Rarity
Published November 8, 2018
Duke Professor Named Fellow of the American Mathematical Society
Published April 18, 2017
Five Faculty Named Bass Fellows for Excellence in Teaching and Research

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Recent Publications


Frontiers in Geometry and Topology

Book · July 19, 2024 This volume contains the proceedings of the summer school and research conference “Frontiers in Geometry and Topology”, celebrating the sixtieth birthday of Tomasz Mrowka, which was held from August 1–12, 2022, at the Abdus Salam ... ... Cite

Torsion in linearized contact homology for Legendrian knots

Journal Article · August 25, 2023 We present examples of Legendrian knots in $\mathbb{R}^3$ that have linearized Legendrian contact homology over $\mathbb{Z}$ containing torsion. As a consequence, we show that there exist augmentations of Legendrian knots over $\mathbb{Z}$ that are not ind ... Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Holomorphic Invariants of Knots and Contact Manifolds

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2024

Holomorphic Invariants in Symplectic Topology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2017 - 2021

Knots and contact topology through holomorphic curves

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2014 - 2018

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Education, Training & Certifications


Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2001 Ph.D.