Maggie Miller (mathematician)

Maggie Miller is an American mathematician specializing in low-dimensional topology and knot theory. She is known for her work on surfaces in 4-manifolds, particularly in relation to the geography problem, which concerns the question of which pairs of integers (χ, σ) can be realized as the Euler characteristic and signature of a smooth, closed, oriented 4-manifold.

Miller earned her Ph.D. from Princeton University in 2020 under the supervision of Zoltán Szabó. Before that, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Her research utilizes techniques from gauge theory, Heegaard Floer homology, and geometric topology to study the existence and non-existence of surfaces embedded in 4-manifolds. A significant portion of her work focuses on determining the minimal genus of surfaces representing particular homology classes within these manifolds. She has proven several impactful theorems related to the geography problem, particularly concerning the realization of certain signatures by manifolds containing specific types of surfaces.

Miller has been recognized for her contributions to the field with awards and fellowships. She has presented her research at numerous conferences and workshops, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in low-dimensional topology. Her publications have appeared in leading mathematical journals. As of 2024, she holds a faculty position at Stanford University.