Gavin Butts

Mathematics graduate student
Wake Forest University

About

I am a master's student in mathematics at Wake Forest University, working with Sarah Mason. My research interests lie in algebraic combinatorics, particularly quasisymmetric functions, tableaux, and connections to representation theory.

Previously, I studied computer science and statistics and data science at Loyola Marymount University, where I worked with Joshua Hallam.

Research

My research explores how combinatorial objects, such as words and tableaux, describe relationships between families of quasisymmetric functions. I am particularly interested in Young quasisymmetric Schur functions, dual immaculate functions, and actions of 0-Hecke algebras.

Undergraduate thesis

A Signed Decomposition of Young Quasisymmetric Schur Functions into Dual Immaculate Quasisymmetric Functions

Loyola Marymount University, 2025.
Supervised by Joshua Hallam.

Teaching

I currently serve as the lead graduate teaching assistant of mathematics at Wake Forest University where I manage the Math and Stats Center.

I also lead undergraduate reading courses, including reading courses on Young Tableaux and Catalan numbers.