Primitivity Testing in Free Group Algebras via Duality
M. Seidel, D. Ernst-West, and D. Puder
Journal of the London Mathematical Society, vol. 113 (2026), no. 6, e70599
Pure Mathematics · Tel Aviv University
Danielle Ernst-West
About
I am a Ph.D. candidate in Pure Mathematics at Tel Aviv University, working under the supervision of Prof. Doron Puder.
I completed my B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science and my M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics at Tel Aviv University, both summa cum laude, within the Arazim elite military program. I then served at Matzov as a mathematical researcher and later as a cyber security architect.
Outside of academia, I am a proud mother of two.
Advisor: Doron Puder
daniellewest@mail.tau.ac.il
December 2020 – Present · Expected Spring 2027
Research Focus
My research lies at the intersection of group theory, representation theory, combinatorics, and algebra.
My work began with word measures on the general linear group over a finite field, and revealed a deep structural connection between these measures and modules over free group algebras. This led to an interest in developing algorithmic and combinatorial tools for studying such modules, including primitivity-testing algorithms and cores of modules, analogous to core graphs of free groups.
My research further extends into the study of stable characters and the expansion of random graphs.
3 journal articles · 2 preprints · 3 in preparation
Research
Publications
Journal Articles
Preprints
Powers of Random Matrices over Finite Fields
D. Ernst-West, I. Glazer, and Y. Shomroni
Available upon request
Appendix to: D. Puder and Y. Shomroni, "Stable Invariants of Words from Random Matrices"
D. Ernst-West, D. Puder, and M. Seidel
Submitted
In Preparation
The Projective Fixed Points Conjecture and the Minimal Supporting Subgroup
D. Ernst-West, D. Puder, and M. Seidel
Cores of Modules over Free Group Algebras
D. Ernst-West and D. Puder
On the Stable Primitivity Rank
D. Ernst-West and D. Puder
Speaking
Talks
Geometric Group Theory Seminar
University of Cambridge, Michaelmas term 2026 (scheduled)
Cores of Modules over Free Group Algebras
Midrasha on Groups, Weizmann Institute of Science, May 2026
The Ring of Stable Characters over GL•(q)
Algebra Seminar, Bar-Ilan University, November 2024
Word Measures on GL_N(q) and Free Group Algebras
Combinatorics Seminar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, January 2024
Groups and Dynamics Seminar, Tel Aviv University, January 2022
Algebra Seminar, Bar-Ilan University, 2022
Measures Induced by Words on GL_n(q) and Free Group Algebras
Paroles, Paroles — A Summer School on Words, Technion, July 2022
Cores of Modules over Free Group Algebras
Growth and Expansion in Groups (LMS–HIMR Research School), University of Warwick, July 2026
Contact
Get in Touch
daniellewest@mail.tau.ac.il
Tel Aviv University, Israel
Ph.D. Candidate in Pure Mathematics supervised by Prof. Doron Puder. Open to academic collaborations, seminar invitations, and research discussions.
Danielle Ernst-West© 2026