Simons Foundation Presents: It’s the Climb

Simons Foundation, Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium, 160 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

*Please note that the entrance is on W 21st St between 5th and 6th Aves*

What draws someone to the edge of uncertainty, whether on a cliff face, in discovery-driven research or deep in the geological history of Earth itself? At first glance, advanced mathematics, rock climbing and geology may seem worlds apart. But a closer look reveals shared underlying impulses: a sensitivity to patterns, an appetite for exploration and a willingness to navigate uncertain paths in pursuit of new heights and new ways of seeing the world.

Kevin Hu is a mathematician, a Junior Fellow in the Simons Society of Fellows and a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University whose work sits at the intersection of probability theory and mathematical physics. He is also an avid climber with a deep love for the sport and the problem-solving mindset it demands. Genevive Walker is a professional climber, guide and community organizer dedicated to expanding access and representation in the outdoors through mentorship, education and community-building. Becky Nesel is a geologist, naturalist and science communicator whose work explores the hidden stories embedded in the landscapes and rock formations of New York’s Hudson Valley, including the Shawangunk Mountains, home to one of the Northeast’s premier rock climbing destinations.

Join them for a conversation with science journalist and comedian Kyle Marian Viterbo as they explore the nature of exploration itself: the pursuit of mastery, the lessons found in failure and the resilience required to keep climbing, intellectually, creatively and physically.