Khovanov homology is a knot homology theory, introduced by M. Khovanov in 2000 as a categorification of the Jones polynomial. Equivariant versions of Khovanov homology are also known, and they play an important role in understanding the Rasmussen invariant. In this talk, I will present the results established in my joint work with M. Khovanov in September 2025 (arXiv:2509.03785): (i) an order-two symmetry inherent in equivariant Khovanov homology, (ii) the existence of a signed Shumakovitch operator, and (iii) its relationship to the Rasmussen invariant.

This talk explores the relationship between 3-dimensional lens spaces and smooth 4-manifolds that bound them under various topological constraints—topics that connect to several central conjectures in low-dimensional topology. After reviewing the classifications of Lisca, Greene, and Aceto–McCoy–JH Park, I will present recent joint work with Wookhyeok Jo and Jongil Park investigating which lens spaces can bound smooth 4-manifolds with second Betti number one. In particular, we exhibit infinite families of lens spaces that bound simply connected 4-manifolds with b₂ = 1, yet do not bound 4-manifolds consisting of a single 0-handle and 2-handle. Moreover, we construct infinite families of lens spaces that bound 4-manifolds with b₁ = 0 and b₂ = 1, but do not bound simply connected 4-manifolds with b₂ = 1. These constructions are motivated by the study of rational homology projective planes with cyclic quotient singularities.