January 3, 2001
Good morning. Happy new year and happier new
financial year. My name is Eitan Tadmor and I am pleased to welcome you to
IPAM program on "Financial mathematics: Risk Management, Modeling and
Numerical Methods."
This is the first in a series of short programs that
IPAM will run every year, complementing IPAM two semester-long
interdisciplinary programs, which together form the core vision of the
Institute.
IPAM stands for the "Institute for Pure &
Applied Mathematics". It is the recent (and indeed- the only)
addition to the existing MSRI and IMA NSF Math institutes, that was born
in response to a call for proposals made three years ago. The goal is to
create an environment that will encourage the interaction between
mathematicians and researchers from other scientific disciplines. We hope
you will agree with us about at least one aspect of this encouraging
environment, after spending the next few days at the newly renovated IPAM
building designed by the world renowned architect Frank Gehry. The
Financial Math program will start with three days of tutorial lectures by
Professors Albert Shiryaev and Rene Carmona, followed by lectures from
leading experts during next week workshop. The program was initiated by
Jaksa Cvitanic and I would like to thank him, together with Mark Broadie,
for the work in organizing this meeting. IPAM staff, led by Eilish
Hathaway is also acknowledged for a superb work, and I would like to
address any of you with special requests to IPAM staff for help.
We hope you will find the time you spend here at
IPAM rewarding and constructive.
On the social side, a reception is planned today
5:30 at the IPAM building for the registered participants. We also
schedule a dinner for next Monday -- the opening day of the main workshop,
here at the IPAM building. Next Wednesday, we will have a shuttle
available to- and from the Santa Monica promenade, and this is a good
opportunity to take advantage of the main thing LA has to offer these days
over the rest of the country -- the great weather. I would also like to
encourage you to visit the beautiful UCLA campus during the period you are
staying here.
Next Thursday, we schedule a Lunch with the members
of the Math Department. The Department is nearby and you are welcome to
visit. The Math department is our closest ally on campus, but not the only
one -- with its interdisciplinary vision, IPAM found strong allies in the
various academic units of the UCLA Campus, in the College of Physical
Sciences, as well as Life Sciences and the Medical school. This is a good
opportunity to thank, again, the strong support IPAM had from the
then-Dean of College of Physical Science, Professor Roberto Peccei. I
trust his support will continue in his new post as the UCLA Vice
Chancellor for Research, and in this context I am very pleased that
Professor Peccei has agreed to open today's meeting.
Please join my warm welcome of UCLA Vice Chancellor
Roberto Peccei.
Eitan TADMOR
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