By Tosin Clegg
Sunday Esebre, a Nigerian mathematician and newly minted PhD graduate from Texas Tech University, has earned global recognition for groundbreaking research in knot theory.
Disclosing this in a media statement recently, he underscored the significance of his research in simplifying complex knot theory computations and advancing mathematical exploration.
Esebre’s publication, co-authored with mathematician Razvan Gelca, is titled “A recursive relation in the complement of the (2p+1, 2) torus knot.”
In this work, the researchers discovered a single-line recursive relation that simplifies pages of complex formulas describing knot complements.
“This discovery condenses extensive mathematical computations into a single recursive relation, making it easier to approach problems in knot theory,” Esebre said in his statement.
The research is part of his wider study in Chern-Simons theory, an area at the intersection of quantum physics, three-dimensional geometry, and the representation theory of Lie and quantum groups.
He stressed in the statement that, his thesis explored combinatorial aspects of the theory, uncovering new patterns in geometric structures associated with knots.
The work also resolved a mathematical problem raised by researchers J. Przytycki and R.P. Bakshi.
Esebre has also contributed as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor at Texas Tech University, where he taught undergraduate courses such as Calculus, College Algebra, and Contemporary Mathematics.
He emphasized in the statement that teaching has been an integral part of his journey, stating, “Explaining concepts in mathematics to students helped me see problems from new perspectives, which ultimately enriched my research.”
Beyond his mathematical research, Esebre has collaborated on academic work in artificial intelligence and machine learning, contributing to publications in those fields.
His graduation ceremony took place on August 8, 2025, marking the culmination of years of academic pursuit.
Esebre’s achievements highlight the role of rigorous research in tackling long-standing questions in mathematics, with his work setting a benchmark for future studies in knot theory.
His approach demonstrates how mathematical innovation can simplify complexity, offering valuable insights across geometry and quantum physics.
His contributions and impact has not gone unnoticed, Esebre received the Hildebrand Mathematics Scholar Award in 2022.
This underscores his dedication to solving complex mathematical problems and his growing impact within the global research community.
With a strong academic foundation that spans the University of Lagos, where he earned his BSc in Mathematics, and Texas Tech University, where he completed both his MSc and PhD, Esebre remain committed to advancing mathematics globally.
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