Jonathan MANNAERT

Jonathan Mannaert is a doctoral assistant in Mathematics on the VUB and started his Phd in 2019. He currently works in the research group DIMA, department: Mathematics, faculty: science and Bioengineering.

My research focuses on mathematical problems concerning finite geometry and Boolean algebra. More specifically, I investigate special structures such as Cameron-Liebler sets, (m-)ovoids, linear sets and others in projective geometries, affine geometries and polar spaces. In my research regarding Boolean algebra, I mainly focus on association schemes and Boolean degree d functions in the same settings mentioned above combined with set theoretical problems, such as designs. These research topics have resulted in the following articles and talks that can be found on: https://researchportal.vub.be/en/persons/jonathan-mannaert

Teaching assistant for the exercises in the following courses:

1) Mathematics: analysis, algebra and geometry (first year of the degree bachelor in Bioengineering and architecture, 9 credits)

2) Mathematics: advanced analysis and geometry (first year of the degree bachelor in Bioengineering and architecture, 6 credits)

3) Linear algebra (first year of the degree Biology, computer science, chemistry and cartography, 6 credits)

Next to my research I am also involved in many social outreach projects. These vary in certain age categories:

1) Kinderuniversiteit: In these social events we introduce common easy mathematical concepts to children of primary schools. One of the main projects also concerns a digital package for teachers to use in their classroom. This is joint work with Lisa Hernandez Lucas: https://vubkinderuniversiteit.be/lespakket-valsspelen-met-wiskunde/

2) Dag van de wetenschap: In this social event that is scheduled every year in November, we introduce the broad public to mathematical concepts. In particular we already discussed Rubiks Cube, the travelling salesman problem and Mercator projections.  This is joint work with Jan De Beule.

3) Theater aan zee: For a special edition of "dag van de wetenschap" there were some activities at the Belgian coast. Here I also contributed to a video regarding the traveling salesman problem. This is joint work with Jan De Beule and Lisa Hernandez Lucas.

4) Universiteit van Vlaanderen: For the university of Flanders which is an initiative of the Flemish government that makes videos around scientific topics, we made the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn-yGytF7Ls&t=2s&ab_channel=UniversiteitvanVlaanderen. 

5) Article Knack: I also have an article in Knack, which is a public news outlet. https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wetenschap/universiteit-van-vlaanderen/kaarten-die-we-nu-gebruiken-zijn-geen-weerspiegeling-van-de-werkelijke-wereld/

6) Interview op Radio 1 over een wiskundige benadering van een ontbijt.

https://radio1.be/luister/select/nieuwe-feiten/zo-haal-je-het-maximum-uit-je-ontbijtbuffet-volgens-een-britse-wiskundige

6) Interview van Bruzz over Imaginary.

https://www.bruzz.be/videoreeks/said-city/video-interactieve-vub-expo-toont-de-pracht-en-kracht-van-wiskunde