Malavika Mukundan


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Research interests

My main interests are in holomorphic dynamics in one variable, in both rational and transcendental dynamics. My current focus is on transcendental Thurston theory, particularly the behavior of Thurston pullback operators. On a broader level, I am interested in 'dynamically' approximating transcendental maps by rational ones, and exploring relationships between various transcendental families. I use tools from topology, complex analysis and Teichmüller theory.

Lately I have also been studying algorithmic fairness in voting systems - specifically the use of geometric and analytic tools to understand alternative voting systems such as ranked choice voting and Borda, and techniques for generating random ranked ballots.

Along with Ryan Goh and Montie Avery, I organize the BU Dynamical Systems seminar.

Papers

Dynamical approximation of postsingularly finite exponentials, arXiv
Dynamical approximations of postsingularly finite entire maps (joint with Prochorov, Reinke), Submitted; arXiv
Embedding unicritical connectedness loci, Accepted at Conformal Geometry and Dynamics; arXiv
A solution to the degree-d twisted rabbit problem (joint with Winarski), Submitted; arXiv

In Preparation

Marked cycle curves for quadratic polynomials and rational maps (joint with Davis, Stoll and Tiozzo)

Other Projects

VoteKit, a Python package for research on alternative voting systems I helped develop during my time at MGGG

Travel

In October 2023, I was a Program Associate at the SLMath/MSRI semester in Algorithms, Fairness and Equity.
During June-August 2023, I worked as a research intern at the MGGG Redistricting Lab at Tufts University.
During Jan-May 2022, I was a Lauter Program Associate at the MSRI semester in complex dynamics.

Upcoming/Recent Talks

Harvard University Algebraic Dynamics Seminar, October 2024
Boston University Dynamics Seminar, September 2024
IMS and SUNY Stony Brook Dynamical Systems Seminar, August 2024
Early Career Complex Dynamics Workshop, Indiana University Bloomington, July 2024
Midwest Dynamical Systems Early Career Conference, The Ohio State University, May 2024
AMS Spring Central Sectional Meeting: Special Session on the Panorama of Holomorphic Dynamics, April 2024
17th Annual Bloomington Geometry Workshop, Indiana University Bloomington, April 2024

Here is my CV.