Following an amazing experience at the retreat in 2023, the Simons Foundation Society of Fellows 2024 retreat was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the spring semester break. The major goal of the retreat is to foster intellectual exchange and collaboration amongst the Junior and Senior fellows. We were treated to daily presentations from Senior and Junior Fellows and I learned a lot from the lectures. However, the informal gatherings—on the beach or in the pool—are probably why we enjoy the retreats.
The retreat was physically located in the Fairmont El San Juan hotel in Puerto Rico. The hotel is on the beach and has a night club! There is also a casino where I lost ~$50. (At some point, I was up by almost ~$200.) Better luck next time!
El Yunque National Forest
Objectives and Format
The primary goal of the retreat is to facilitate discussions and interactions that cross traditional academic boundaries, reflecting the foundation’s overarching mission to advance research in basic sciences and mathematics. The event features a series of 20-minute talks delivered by selected Fellows, showcasing a diverse range of research topics from theoretical physics to computational neuroscience.
Highlights from the 2024 Retreat
The 2024 retreat included presentations on various scientific and mathematical topics. I took notes during a subset of the presentations.
For instance, Michael Chapman discussed mathematical approximations and their limits in convergence, while Sanchit Chaturvedi reviewed the historical and mathematical evolution of the theory of gases. Emanuele Galiffi presented on the possibilities of manipulating light through temporal changes in matter, aiming to overcome traditional limitations in optical sciences. Jane Hubbard’s talk focused on how dietary choices and aging affect stem cells, using C. elegans as a model to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms. Isabel Low from Columbia University provided insights into the neural mechanisms that transform memories into actions in birds, a critical survival trait. Additionally, Carol Mason discussed the development of binocular vision and its molecular underpinnings and also discussed questions about the impact of melanin presence in retinal cells. Francesca Mignacco discussed the application of statistical physics to understand large populations of neurons, highlighting the challenges and advancements in interpreting complex neural data. Oliver Philcox’s presentation pondered the asymmetry of the universe, reflecting on how our perceptions are shaped by physical laws. And Andre Toussaint discussed some behavioral and neural signatures of chronic pain and abuse.
I am looking forward to the 2025 retreat! Will it be held in Hawaii?