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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


Spring 2025:
  • Mondays 1:00-2:00
  • Wednesdays 2:45-3:45 (may end early)
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


An L∞ structure for Legendrian contact homology

Journal Article Journal of Topology · September 1, 2025 For any Legendrian knot or link in (Formula presented.), we construct an (Formula presented.) algebra that can be viewed as an extension of the Chekanov–Eliashberg differential graded algebra. The (Formula presented.) structure incorporates information fro ... Full text Cite

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
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Recent Grants


Enhanced invariants of Legendrian links

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2025 - 2028

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

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Education, Training & Certifications


Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2001 Ph.D.