In Preparation Phase

Given a probability measure preserving groupoid $\mathcal{G}$, we study properties of the corresponding von Neumann algebra $L(\mathcal{G})$ using the techniques of deformation-rigidity theory. Building on work of Sinclair and Hoff, we extend the Gaussian construction for equivalence relations to general measured groupoids. Using Popa’s spectral gap argument, we then obtain structural properties about $L(\mathcal{G})$ including primeness and lack of property $(\Gamma)$. We also generalize results of de Santiago, Hayes, Hoff, and Sinclair to characterize maximal rigid subalgebras of $L(\mathcal{G})$ in terms of the corresponding groupoid $L^2$-cohomology.

In Ideation Phase

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Expository Work

Undergraduate Thesis: Introduction to the Modern Theory of Groupoid von Neumann Algebras. (in progress)