Reflecting on Dr. David Pike’s Presidency and Welcoming Dr. Barbara Csima to Lead the Canadian Mathematical Society

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) extends sincere gratitude to Dr. David Pike (Memorial University) for his dedicated service as President and congratulates him on a fruitful term. The Society also warmly welcomes Dr. Barbara Csima (University of Waterloo) as the incoming President.

Dr. Pike’s tenure as president began with a pivotal moment in the CMS’ history – the acquisition of its new permanent home in Ottawa. In the last two years, this space has enabled the CMS to continue its important work in promoting the advancement of mathematics in Canada. The CMS extends its gratitude to Dr. Pike for his instrumental support in this initiative, which has positioned the Society on a promising trajectory for future success.

Dr. Pike also played a pivotal role in facilitating the renewal of the Canadian Mathematical Society’s contract with the prestigious Cambridge University Press. This holds significant importance for the CMS and the broader mathematical community in Canada as this partnership ensures access to high-quality publications and resources, fostering the dissemination of cutting-edge research and facilitating scholarly exchange within the mathematical community. Additionally, the renewal of this contract signifies stability and continuity in the Society’s publishing endeavours. It also reinforces the CMS’ commitment to advancing mathematical knowledge and promoting academic excellence on a national and international scale. Dr. Pike’s efforts in securing this renewal show his dedication to advancing the mission and objectives of the CMS, further solidifying its position as a leading institution in mathematical research and education.

In summary, Dr. David Pike’s leadership has been instrumental in propelling the Canadian Mathematical Society forward, marking a significant chapter in its history and setting the stage for continued success.

Dr. Pike looks back on his presidency and welcomes the new president:

“It has been an honour for me to be the society’s president for the past few years and to help guide its way forward.  Having worked with Dr. Csima since last year’s CMS election, it is now my pleasure to welcome her as the society’s next president.”

The CMS extends a warm welcome to Dr. Barbara Csima, the incoming President. Dr. Csima completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where she earned an Hon. B.Sc. in the Mathematics Specialist and Actuarial Science Major programs. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago, where she earned her PhD in Mathematics in 2003. She then spent two years as an H. C. Wang Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Cornell University before joining the University of Waterloo in 2005. Dr. Csima has been a full Professor since 2015, and currently serves as the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies in the Department of Pure Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, a role she has held since 2019. Her research area is mathematical logic, with a focus on computability theory.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Csima has made significant contributions to various committees and editorial boards. Notably, in 2012, she chaired the Women in Math Committee at the University of Waterloo, overseeing the successful organization of the summer school “Two weeks at WATERLOO – A Summer school for women in math”. Additionally, she served as an active member of the university’s daycare board from 2014 to 2017. She has also been invited to speak at numerous prestigious events, and has chaired many conference organizing committees.

Moreover, Dr. Csima developed an asynchronous online Mathematical Logic course, which debuted in 2016 and has achieved notable success since. Finally, Dr. Csima has been highly involved in nurturing the future generation of mathematicians, having worked with numerous undergraduate, master, PhD and postdoctoral students.

Dr. Csima worked alongside Dr. Pike as President-Elect for the past year:

“It has been a privilege to work with David this year. I have had the opportunity to observe his calm problem-solving skills in action, and I look forward to continuing to benefit from his mentorship as he transitions to the role of Past-President.”

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)
The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is the main national organization whose goal is to promote and advance the discovery, learning and application of mathematics. The Society’s activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics competitions that recognize outstanding student achievements. The CMS is a registered non-profit, charitable organization and depends on grants, funding, and generous donations from sponsors, benefactors and community members to be able to carry out its activities.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Termeh Kousha Executive Director Canadian Mathematical Society tkousha@cms.math.ca

or

Dr. Barbara Csima President Canadian Mathematical Society president@cms.math.ca