About

Jeffrey D. Adams is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Maryland. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1977 and earned his PhD under Gregg Zuckerman at Yale University in 1981. He has been a faculty member at the University of Maryland since 1986. His research focuses on the representation theory of Lie groups and algebraic groups, which are fundamental to the mathematical understanding of symmetry. Adams has been the head of the Atlas of Lie groups and representations project for the past 15 years, a computational initiative aimed at studying representations of Lie groups, particularly the Unitary Dual problem, which involves computing all representations that preserve a positive definite Hermitian form. The Atlas software developed through this project is freely available and contributes significantly to the field.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Pure mathematics
• Environmental science
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Oceanography
• Acoustics

Selected publications

• NILPOTENT INVARIANTS FOR GENERIC DISCRETE SERIES OF REAL GROUPS

  Journal of the Institute of Mathematics of Jussieu · 2026-04-24

  preprintOpen access1st author

  Abstract Let $G(\mathbb {R})$ be a real reductive group. Suppose $\pi $ is an irreducible representation of $G(\mathbb {R})$ having a Whittaker model, and consider three invariants of $\pi $ related to nilpotent elements of the Lie algebra of G (or its dual): the associated variety, the wave-front set, and the set of Whittaker data for which $\pi $ has a Whittaker model. If $\pi $ is a discrete series representation, these invariants are known to determine each other. We provide a self-contained account of this and related matters. Many of the results were known: we give simplified proofs for several of them, for instance a simple proof (for generic discrete series) that the associated variety and the wave-front set are related by the Kostant–Sekiguchi correspondence.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Discrete series L-packets for real reductivegroups

  Essential Number Theory · 2026-04-21

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Discrete series L-packets for

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast

  Scientific Reports · 2025-01-03 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access

  Vessel strikes are a critical threat to endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), significantly contributing to their elevated mortality. Accurate estimates of these mortality rates are essential for developing effective management strategies to aid in the species' recovery. This study enhances existing vessel strike models by incorporating detailed regional data on vessel traffic characteristics as well as whale distribution and behavior. Our model assesses the spatial and temporal variability in vessel strike risk along the U.S. east coast apportioned into three vessel length classes (26-65 feet, 65-350 feet, > 350 feet). By including regional right whale depth distributions and parameterizing potential whale avoidance based on factors such as descent rate, bottom depth, and vessel speed and size, the model provides a refined estimation of mortality risk. We also address the underrepresentation of smaller vessel activity via a correction factor, offering a more accurate annual mortality risk estimate for each vessel size class. These findings highlight that vessels > 350 feet in length pose the greatest risk to right whales. Simulations of reduced vessel speeds indicate that speed measures can mitigate mortality rates; however, residual risk remains even at speeds of 10 knots or less suggesting limitations to this mitigation approach.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The combined effects of multiple stressors in an endangered, long‐lived species: Lessons learned and ways forward

  Ecological Applications · 2025-12-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Exploring solutions to expanding industrial activities and climate change requires assessments of the combined effects of multiple stressors on wildlife populations. We present a spatially explicit state-space model for the health, survival, reproduction, and somatic growth of individuals in a long-lived, wide-ranging species. The model is applied to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) to investigate the combined effects of three primary stressors affecting the species' viability: entanglements in fishing gear, vessel strikes, and prey availability. We estimate exposure to these stressors in space and time and assess how their effects may combine in the pathway from exposure to vital rates. Results suggest that changes in whale distribution after 2010 led to increased entanglement risk. Poorer prey conditions were associated with an increased effect of carrying fishing gear, but, overall, results on combined effects were not conclusive and depended on model formulation. We also incorporated the estimated effects of stressors into a population viability analysis to explore alternative scenarios of stressor reduction. This integrated analysis highlighted the importance of the declining trend in maximum body length and its effect on reproduction, in addition to the documented impact of entanglements on survival. Model development and application elucidated critical data needs and the influence of underlying mechanistic assumptions. Specifically, models for the combined effects of stressors hinge on the availability of extended longitudinal measurements of individual health and life history outcomes, extensive datasets on the spatiotemporal distribution of stressors, and information on individual space use affecting rates of exposure to stressors. Lessons from this data-rich case study will support the generalization of the modeling approach to other long-lived species where measuring the population-level consequences of multiple stressors directly is unfeasible.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Lowest $K$-types in the local Langlands correspondence

  arXiv (Cornell University) · 2024-02-05

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Consider the irreducible representations of a real reductive group $G(\mathbb{R})$, and their parametrization by the local Langlands correspondence. We ask: does the parametrization give easily accessible information on the restriction of representations to a maximal compact subgroup $K(\mathbb{R})$ of $G(\mathbb{R})$? We find a natural connection between the set of lowest $K$-types of a representation and its Langlands parameters. For our results, it is crucial to use the refined version of the local Langlands correspondence, involving (coverings of) component groups attached to $L$-homomorphisms. The first part of the paper is a simplified description of this refined parametrization.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An Unusual Case of Bowel Evisceration after Sneezing

  American Journal of Medical Case Reports · 2024-05-28 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Evisceration is a rare complication of abdominal surgery. This case report describes small bowel evisceration through a healed cystectomy surgical site after sneezing and coughing. Perspectives from the emergency responders, the patient, and his surgeons are discussed. When evisceration occurs, patients may be unsure of how to protect their exposed intestines. First medical responders may experience anxiety with initial management due to a distressing presentation and unfamiliarity with the condition. Surgeons must carefully protect the bowel, reduce it into the abdomen, inspect it for injury, prevent infection, and repair the dehisced wound

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Understanding vessel noise across a network of marine protected areas

  Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · 2024-03-15 · 14 citations

  articleOpen access

  Protected areas are typically managed as a network of sites exposed to varying anthropogenic conditions. Managing these networks benefits from monitoring of conditions across sites to help prioritize coordinated efforts. Monitoring marine vessel activity and related underwater radiated noise impacts across a network of protected areas, like the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary system, helps managers ensure the quality of habitats used by a wide range of marine species. Here, we use underwater acoustic detections of vessels to quantify different characteristics of vessel noise at 25 locations within eight marine sanctuaries including the Hawaiian Archipelago and the U.S. east and west coasts. Vessel noise metrics, including temporal presence and sound levels, were paired with Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data to derive a suite of robust vessel noise indicators for use across the network of marine protected areas. Network-wide comparisons revealed a spectrum of vessel noise conditions that closely matched AIS vessel traffic composition. Shifts in vessel noise were correlated with the decrease in vessel activity early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and vessel speed reduction management initiatives. Improving our understanding of vessel noise conditions in these protected areas can help direct opportunities for reducing vessel noise, such as establishing and maintaining noise-free periods, enhancing port efficiency, engaging with regional and international vessel quieting initiatives, and leveraging co-benefits of management actions for reducing ocean noise.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Estimating reductions in the risk of vessels striking whales achieved by management strategies

  Biological Conservation · 2024-01-24 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  Methods to evaluate strategies to reduce the risk of vessels striking whales are needed to balance species protections with economic consequences. Previously used simplistic methods do not include important elements of vessel-strike risk. More complex methods often include parameters that have not been estimated for whales. Additionally, the whale and vessel metrics used in all methods are important because they may lead to biases in estimated risk reductions. We build a simple metric, Total PLETHd, from three components: (1) the relationship between vessel speed and the probability that a strike is lethal (PLETH), (2) vessel transit distance, and (3) whale distributions. Total PLETHd is calculated by multiplying estimates of whale distribution by the sum of transit distance multiplied by transit PLETH. We use this metric to assess risk reductions for North Atlantic right, humpback, fin, and sei whales on the United States East Coast. We found that a 10 kt speed restriction was necessary for reducing risk and that speed restrictions applied in broad areas defined by whale habitat were almost as effective as restrictions applied throughout all East Coast waters. While our areas were primarily defined to protect right whales, our results suggest they also protect humpback, fin, and sei whales. Total PLETHd represents an improvement over previous methods for estimating risk reductions because it addresses limitations in these methods. It can be used to estimate risk reductions for multiple species associated with management strategies, including changing vessel routes and implementing speed restrictions in different areas and time periods.

  PublisherDOI

• Equivalent Definitions of Arthur Packets for Real Classical Groups

  Memoirs of the American Mathematical Society · 2024-08-07 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Arthur has conjectured the existence of what are now known as Arthur packets of representations of reductive algebraic groups over local and global fields. In the case of special orthogonal and symplectic groups, he subsequently gave a definition of these packets, using local and global methods. For general real groups, an alternative approach to the definition of Arthur packets has been given by Adams-Barbasch-Vogan. This construction is purely local and uses geometric methods. Our main result is that these two definitions agree in the case of real special orthogonal and symplectic groups.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Understanding vessel noise across a network of marine protected areas

  Research Square · 2023-10-30

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Protected areas are typically managed as a network of sites exposed to varying anthropogenic conditions. Managing these networks benefits from monitoring of conditions across sites to help prioritize coordinated efforts. Monitoring marine vessel activity and related underwater noise impacts across a network of protected areas, like the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary system, helps managers ensure the quality of habitats used by a wide range of marine species. Here, we use underwater acoustic detection of vessels to quantify vessel noise at 25 locations within eight marine sanctuaries including the Hawaiian Archipelago and the U.S. east and west coasts. Vessel noise metrics were paired with Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data to derive a suite of robust vessel noise indicators for use across the network of marine protected areas. Network-wide comparisons revealed a spectrum of vessel noise conditions that closely matched AIS vessel traffic composition. Shifts in vessel noise were correlated with the decrease in vessel activity in early COVID-19 pandemic and vessel speed reduction initiatives. Improving our understanding of vessel noise conditions in these protected areas can help direct opportunities for reducing vessel noise, such as establishing and maintaining noise-free periods, enhancing port efficiency, engaging with regional and international vessel quieting initiatives, and leveraging co-benefits of management actions for reducing ocean noise.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• FRG: Collaborative Research: Atlas of Lie Groups and Representations: Unitary Representations

  NSF · $352k · 2010–2014

• Collaborative Research: Atlas of Lie Groups and Representation Theory: Computational Aspects

  NSF · $400k · 2013–2018

• Atlas of Lie Groups and Representations

  NSF · $230k · 2005–2007

• FRG: Collaborative Research: Atlas of Lie Groups and Representations: Unitary Representations

  NSF · $181k · 2010–2013

• FRG: Collaborative Research: Atlas of Lie Groups and Representations

  NSF · $813k · 2006–2011

Frequent coauthors

• Patricia A. Fair

  Medical University of South Carolina

  67 shared

• Eric S. Zolman

  National Marine Mammal Foundation

  60 shared

• Gregory D. Bossart

  Florida Aquarium

  60 shared

• Juli D. Goldstein

  51 shared

• Larry J. Hansen

  50 shared

• Stephen D. McCulloch

  50 shared

• Forrest I. Townsend

  Auburn University

  50 shared

• Brian E. Joseph

  49 shared