Derek R. Aoki

Interests

Pure mathematics and theoretical computer science, especially topics related to logic such as descriptive set theory and descriptive complexity theory. Recent mathematics courses include:

• Topology: linear topology; point set topology; Baire & Polish spaces
• Algebra: group theory; classical linear groups; noncommutative rings
• Computation & logic: computable structures

Research(-adjacent) experience

• Spring 2025. Directed reading in finite model theory (texts: Libkin).
• Fall 2024. Independent side project on probabilistic computational complexity classes.
• Summer 2024. Euler Circle Summer Course on Independent Research & Proof Writing (IRPW). Expository paper on descriptive complexity theory (texts: Immerman).
• Spring 2024. Directed reading in descriptive set theory (texts: Kechris, Moschovakis).
• Summer 2023. NYU Ability Project. Maker work: CircuitPython, 3D printing, etc.
• 2022-2023. Project on AI literacy in early secondary education.

Publications

• A. Woodruff, A.S. Voneche, K. Thunstrom, R. Jana, R.L. Hardy, D.R. Aoki, P.G. Kelley. “Discover AI in Daily Life”: An AI Literacy Lesson for Middle School Students. Proceedings of the 54th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE 2023), V.2, 1327. https://doi.org/10.1145/3545947.3576224

Expository writing

• D. Aoki. On the Polynomial Hierarchy, PSPACE, and Descriptive Complexity. Euler Circle Summer Course on Independent Research & Proof Writing (IRPW), 2024.

Miscellany

• Erdős number = 4.
• Honorable Mention, 2023 AMS Math Poetry Contest.