Graduate Student
Department of Mathematics
University of Utah
I'm a sixth year graduate student in mathematics at the University of Utah interested in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, particularly the use of derived category methods to study singularities in equal characteristic. My advisors are Srikanth Iyengar and Karl Schwede. Check out our student commutative algebra seminar, BIKES.
Before coming to Utah, I had a brief stint in consulting at EY-Parthenon. Prior to that, I received my BA in mathematics from Williams College in Williamstown, MA where I did research in commutative algebra with Susan Loepp and on multidimensional continued fractions with Tom Garrity. Outside of math, I enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, roller skating, and (listening and dancing to) music. I'm also passionate about public transit and urbanism and am a board member of Sweet Streets.
I am on the job market this year! Here is a copy of my CV (updated August 2023).
Peter M. McDonald. Multiplier ideals and klt singularities via (derived) splittings. arXiv: 2307.07906.
Fleming, Ji, Loepp, McDonald, Pande, Schwein. Completely controlling the dimensions of formal fiber rings at prime ideals of small height. J. Commut. Algebra 11 (2019), no. 3, 363--388. doi:10.1216/JCA-2019-11-3-363. https://projecteuclid.org/euclid.jca/1575363817. arXiv: 1604.04176
Fleming, Ji, Loepp, McDonald, Pande, Schwein. Controlling the dimensions of formal fibers of a unique factorization domain at the height one prime ideals. J. Commut. Algebra 10 (2018), no. 4, 475--498. doi:10.1216/JCA-2018-10-4-475. https://projecteuclid.org/euclid.jca/1544950826. arXiv: 1601.07136
Thomas Garrity and Peter M. McDonald, Generalizing the Minkowski Question Mark Function to a Family of Multidimensional Continued Fractions, International Journal of Number Theory, Vol. 14 No. 9, October 2018. arXiv: 1701.09070
Here is a list of recent and upcoming travel plans:
January 3-6, 2024: Joint Math Meetings, San Francisco, CA
November 13-14, 2023: University of Missouri
November 8-9, 2023: Purdue Univeristy
October 7-8, 2023: AMS Sectional, Omaha, NE
August 8-10, 2023: Summer CAMP, Lincoln, NE
June 6-10, 2023: AMS MRC on Derived Categories, Arithmetic, and Geometry, Beaver Hollow, NY
Below you can find information on past courses I've taught.
Spring 2024: MATH 1070: Introduction to Statistical Inference
Fall 2023: MATH 1320: Engineering Calculus II
Summer 2023: MATH 1100: Business Calculus
Fall 2022: MATH 1100: Business Calculus
Spring 2022: MATH 2210: Calculus III
Fall 2021: MATH 1220: Calculus II
Spring 2021: MATH 2210: Calculus III
Fall 2020: MATH 2210: Calculus III
Fall 2019: MATH 1320: Engineering Calculus II
Fall 2018: MATH 1321: Accelerated Engineering Calculus II
Below are some activities I've been involved with here in the math department.
While I'm not currently involved with the AWM, I've organized two editions of our RTG Conference BRIDGES and was also treasurer for the two years before that. As an organization, we are focused on supporting all underrepresented groups in mathematics. You can find out more information about our activities on our website.
Last summer, I chaired the organizing committee for the BRIDGES Workshop, hosted at the University of Utah June 7-10, 2022. Intended for advanced undergraduate and early career graduate students interested in algebraic geometry, commutative algebra, geometric group theory, and number theory, the conference aims to introduce students to possible research areas and build a sense of community among a diverse group of young mathematicians. More information can be found on our website. The next iteration of this conference will be summer 2024!
The University of Utah Directed Reading Program in mathematics partners undergraduate students with graduate mentors to pursue independent reading projects during the semester. In the past, I've worked with students to read about algebraic geometry, complex analysis, and mathematical logic. The program is not currently running, but more information about the program can be found here.
JWB 212
mcdonald [at] math [dot] utah [dot] edu
Department of MathematicsUniversity of Utah 155 South 1400 East, JWB 233 Salt Lake City, UT 84112