Princeton University Professor Yakov Sinai Wins $1 Million Abel Prize

Sinai
Sinai

Yakov Sinai, one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century, has been awarded the 2014 Abel Prize by the The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

Originally from Russia, Sinai has been a professor at Princeton University since 1993. Sinai was awarded the Abel Prize “for his fundamental contributions to dynamical systems, ergodic theory, and mathematical physics.”

The Abel Prize recognizes contributions of “extraordinary depth and influence to the mathematical sciences” and has been awarded annually since 2003. It carries a cash award of $1 million.

The award was announced yesterday in Oslo, Norway. Sinai will receive the prize from His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of Norway, at an award ceremony in Oslo on May 20.

During the past half-century, Sinai has written more than 250 research papers and several books. He has supervised more than 50 Ph.D. students and has trained and influenced a generation of leading specialists in his research fields. Much of his research has become part of the standard toolbox for mathematical physicists.

“His works had and continue to have a broad and profound impact on mathematics and physics, as well as on the ever-fruitful interaction between these two fields,” reads a news release from the Abel Committee.

In 2013,  Sinai was awarded the Leroy P.Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the American Mathematical Society. Other awards include the Wolf Prize in Mathematics (1997), the Nemmers Prize in Mathematics (2002), the Henri Poincaré Prize from the International Association of Mathematical Physics (2009) and the Dobrushin International Prize from the Institute of Information Transmission of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2009). Sinai is a member or honorary member in numerous  mathematical societies and academies.

The choice of the Abel Laureate is based on the recommendation of the Abel Committee, which is composed of five internationally recognized mathematicians. The Abel Prize and associated events are funded by the Norwegian Government. For more information visit www.abelprize.no.

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.