It’s the Climb

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 who appreciates the problem-solving mindset that the sport 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 science communicator, geologist, and naturalist 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.

About the Speakers:

Hu is a Junior Fellow in the Simons Society of Fellows and a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, mentored by Dan Lacker. His research interests lie broadly at the intersection of probability theory and mathematical physics, focusing on the structure and disorder of high-dimensional systems. He obtained his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Brown University in 2025 under the supervision of Kavita Ramanan. During graduate school, he studied the propagation of chaos and long-time behavior in strongly interacting particle systems using tools from stochastic analysis, random graph theory and partial differential equations.

Nesel is a naturalist and science communicator from New York’s Hudson Valley who loves sharing her curiosity and passion for learning about our planet with everyone around her. She completed her bachelor’s degree in geology in 2019 and, in 2020, began sharing educational science content on social media. Since then, she has grown a global audience of nearly 250,000 across platforms and has traveled around the world to learn about its geological wonders and share what she learns with her audience. She is especially interested in conservation and the idea that Earth’s geological foundations are directly connected to biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.

Walker is a professional rock climber, certified guide, filmmaker and community educator whose work centers on creating greater access, representation and connection in the outdoors. Through affinity-based programming and mentorship initiatives, she strives to help individuals build confidence and find community in outdoor spaces. By combining her expertise in guiding with the power of storytelling, Walker creates experiences that inspire personal growth, cultivate leadership and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable outdoor culture.

Conversation Moderator: Viterbo is a comedian, producer, science communications consultant and former physical anthropologist. She produces and hosts socially mindful, inclusive and accessible comedy shows. Through standup, improv and storytelling, Viterbo loves to create experiences that make audiences laugh and learn while challenging the foundations of our knowledge. Since 2014, she has been training British and American academics to translate their work into comedy, storytelling and live experiences. She is also cultivating a network of educational standup comedians through the Science Comedy Collective.