Research that focused on the intersection of mathematics, physics and computer science secured Mr Shimal Harichurn an MSc degree in Computer Science, summa cum laude.

Harichurn’s dissertation: “Machine Learning Approaches for Analysing the Z-Hat Invariants”, was supervised by Mr Anban Pillay.

‘I study what are known as Z-Hat Invariants or GPPV Invariants, which are mathematical functions predicted to exist by an area of physics known as String Theory,’ explained Harichurn.

‘We don’t yet know how to mathematically define these functions in full generality. The hope is that in the future a full understanding will pave the way for us to make new insights into how geometry behaves in 4-dimensions.’

A lot is unknown about these particular mathematical functions and researchers are increasingly opting to use machine learning methods – an area that falls within computer science – to better explain their properties. ‘This is where my research comes into play,’ said Harichurn.

He has always been interested in mathematics, physics and computer science and took courses in all these subjects during his undergraduate degree. ‘When it became possible to do an MSc in Computer Science that incorporated aspects of all of these, it felt like a great opportunity to pursue,’ he said.

Harichurn explained the significance of his research: ‘It is hoped that the mathematical functions called Z-Hat Invariants studied in my thesis will provide new insights into three and four-dimensional mathematical objects called manifolds, in a sub-field of mathematics called low-dimensional topology that studies higher-dimensional surfaces and shapes.

‘Learning more about these mathematical functions through the lens of machine learning, as was done in my thesis, will hopefully allow us to uncover new insights about geometry in 3- and 4-dimension in the future.’

Harichurn plans to complete a PhD in Mathematics and continue doing research in topology, mathematical physics and machine learning.

He also aims to grow an app that he has been working on, called Quantakom, which aims to provide underprivileged schools with high-quality and free administration and communication software.

He thanked his parents and brother for their support as well as his supervisor, Mr Anban Pillay, for allowing him to research what interested him. He also thanked Professor Dharmanand Baboolal, his honours supervisor and mentor; Professor Sergei Gukov of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) who was an informal co-supervisor of his MSc; as well as academics Professor Bernardo Rodrigues, Professor Paranjothi Pillay, Dr Shalin Singh, Professor Rituparno Goswami and Dr Sergey Shindin.

When not improving his Quantakom app or delving deeper into Z-Hat Invariants, Harichurn likes to play sports (especially tennis) in his spare time.

‘My thanks also go to UKZN for the numerous opportunities it has provided me over the years,’ he said. In particular he thanked the Institution for the financial support provided by the Vincent Maphai Scholarship, which he received as the top-ranked master’s student at UKZN.

Words: Sally Frost

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini