Curriculum Vitae

Valmir Bucaj

Contact Info
Department of Mathematics E-mail: Valmir.Bucaj@rice.edu
Rice University, 6100 Main St. MS-136 Website: www.vbucaj.weebly.com
Houston, TX, 77005

EDUCATION
Ph.D. Candidate in Mathematics, Rice University (expected May 2018)

Thesis title: Anderson localization for discrete one dimensional random operators

Advisor: David Damanik

(2014) M.A. in Mathematics, Rice University
(2011) B.S. in Mathematics, Texas Lutheran University (Summa Cum Laude)

Thesis title: Finding Factors of Factor Rings over Eisenstein Integers

Thesis Advisor: William Hager

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Spectral theory of random Schrodinger operators and CMV matrices,
Anderson localization
PUBLICATIONS
On the Kunz-Souillard approach to localization for the discrete one dimensional generalized
Anderson model. arXiv:1608.01379. Aug. 3, 2016.(Submitted)
Localization for the one-dimensional Anderson model via positivity and large deviations of the
Lyapunov exponent (with D. Damanik, J. Fillman, V. Gerbuz, T. VandenBoom, F. Wang, and Z.
Zhang).(Submitted)
The Kunz-Souillard approach to localization for Jacobi operators. arXiv:1609.05703. Sep. 19, 2016.
Papers in Preparation
Localization for the random word model and continuum Bernouli Anderson model via positivity
and large deviations of the Lyapunov exponent (with D. Damanik, J. Fillman, V. Gerbuz, T.
VandenBoom, and F. Wang).
Undergraduate and REU publications
Finding Factors of Factor Rings over Eisenstein Integers. Int. Math. Forum. Journal for Theory
and Applications.(2011)

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 Embeddedness for singly periodic Scherk surfaces with higher dihedral symmetry. Involve, 6
(2013) 383-392 (with Sarah Cannon, Michael Dorff, Jamal Lawson, and Ryan Viertel)
Editorial Appointments
Managing Editor for the MathProblems Magazine ( Aug. 2011 to present)
www.mathproblems-ks.org
TALKS
Invited and Conference Talks
On the Kunz-Souillard approach to Anderson localization for Schrodinger operators. University of
Alabama at Birmingham. Sept 22nd, 2016.
On the Kunz-Souillard approach to Anderson localization for Schrodinger operators. TexAMP,
2016, Rice University.
Brown Bag Seminar, Rice University
On the Kunz-Souillard approach to localization for the discrete one dimensional generalized
Anderson model. (April 6 & 13, 2016)
Localization for Anderson-type models.( March 23 & 30, 2016)
The Kunz-Souillard approach to localization for Jacobi operators. (Aug. 26 & Sep. 2, 2015)
Current Mathematics Seminar, Rice University
Stochastic models: To sell or not to sell!? ( Feb. 2017)
An introduction to Random Walks. (Feb. 25, 2016)
Introduction to ultra-filters. (April 16, 2015)
On the Prime-Number Theorem. (Feb. 13, 2014)
Braided Groups. (March 14, 2013 )
Outreach ( Math Circle), Rice University
Introduction to fractals and spacefilling curves. (Spring, 2017)
Introduction to probability and counting. (Feb. 21st, 2016)
Basic modular arithmetic and cryptography. (Sep. 13, 2015)
Introduction to game theory. (Jan., 2015)
Selected Undergraduate Talks
(Oct. 2011) Finding Factors of Factor Rings over Eisenstein Integers. Texas Undergraduate
Mathematics Conference, Tyler University, Texas.
(April, 2011). Embeddedness for singly periodic Scherk surfaces with higher dihedral symmetry.
Alpha Chi National Convention, San Diego, California.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
The Kunz-Souillard approach to localization for Jacobi operators. TexAmp 2015, Dallas, TX.
(Jan. 2012) Finding Factors of Factor Rings over Eisenstein Integers. Undergraduate Student
Poster Session, Joint Mathematics Meeting, Boston.

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CONFERENCES
Analysis and Geometry on Graphs and Manifolds, International Conference at the University of
Potsdam, Germany, Aug. 2017.
Great Lakes Mathematical Physics Meeting, Michigan State University, June 2017.
PDE/Analysis Mini-School. Random Schrdinger operators: Basic properties, localization, and
spectral statistics. UNC Chapel Hill, Oct. 27-28, 2016
Frontiers in Mathematical Physics, Centre de Recherches Mathamatiques, University de Montreal,
Aug. 28-Sept 2nd. 2016.
Methods of Modern Mathematical PhysicsA Young Researchers Symposium. Fields Institute,
Toronto. Aug. 22-26. 2016.
The Texas Analysis and Mathematical Physics Symposium, UT Dallas, TX (Nov. 2015)
Workshop in Periodic and Ergodic Spectral Problems, Issac Newton Institute for Mathematical
Sciences, Cambridge, UK (Jan. 5th-16th).
The Texas Analysis and Mathematical Physics Symposium, UT Austin, TX (Nov. 2014)
Texas Algebraic Geometry Symposium, Rice University (April 4-6, 2014)
HONORS AND AWARDS
Outstanding Presentation Award Winner, 2012 Joint Mathematics Meetings MAA Undergraduate
Poster Session.
The Joseph E. and Bessie Mae Pryor Prize in Mathematics, Alpha Chi National Convention, San
Diego, 2011.
Alpha Chi National Honors Society
Bislimi Scholarship for Peace, Texas Lutheran University (Spring 2008-Fall 2011)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Rice University Texas Lutheran University

Instructor Peer Tutor

Math 212, Calculus III (Sum., 2015, 2016, 2017) Math 148, Elementary Functions
Math 211, ODE (Fall, 2014) Math 241, 242,333 Calculus I-III
Math 102, Calculus II (Summer, 2014) Math 331, Elementary Linear Algebra
Math 334, ODE
Math 335, Intro to Abstract Algebra
Math 433, Statistics and Probability

Teaching Assistant Grader

Math 523, Functional Analysys (Fall, 2016) Math 432, Real Analysis
Math 102, Calculus II (Spring, 2016) Math 242, Calculus II
Math 55, Linear Algebra (Fall, 2015) Math 233, Discrete Mathematics
Math 322, Intro to Analysis II (Spring, 2015) Math 334, ODE
Math 101, Calculus I (Spring, 2014) Math 331, Elementary Linear Algebra
Math 101, Calculus I (Fall, 2013)
Math 102, Calculus II (Spring, 2013)
Math 211, ODE (Fall, 2012)

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Graduate Student Teaching Seminar (Fall, 2012-Spring, 2014)
Level III certified Tutor (Spring, 2009)

COMPUTER SKILLS
Excel, VBA, LaTex: Intermediate
Python, Mathematica: Beginner

References

David Damanik
Rice University
Houston, Texas, 77005
damanik@rice.edu