NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Alain Connes, Distinguished Professor in the
Vanderbilt University Department of Mathematics, has been awarded one
of France‘s most noteworthy scientific awards: the annual Gold Medal of
the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).
Since its creation in 1954, the CNRS Gold Medal has been awarded each
year to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the
dynamism and influence of French research. It is a crowning reward to
scientists whose work and career have earned them international
acclaim. Previous recipients include well-known scientists from
biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and numerous other specialties.
In naming Connes — who is also a professor at the Coll√ãge de France and
at the Institut des Hautes ‚Ķtudes Scientifiques — the 2004 Gold
Medalist, the CNRS called him “one of the greatest mathematicians of
our time.” Throughout his career, Connes has applied himself to solving
mathematical problems arising from quantum physics and the theory of
relativity. He revolutionized the theory of operator algebras and was a
primary founder of a new branch of mathematics called noncommutative
geometry. His work earned him the Fields Medal in 1982 and the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences‘ Crafoord Prize in 2001.
Connes has published more than 150 scientific articles. He has also
published a book, Noncommutative Geometry, which has become the
reference in its field. He has written two books on mathematical
thought and has editorial responsibilities on numerous international
mathematics journals.
Connes will conduct a mini-course on noncommutative geometry and number
theory at Vanderbilt during the first two weeks of April 2005, along
with Matilde Marcolli from the Max Planck Institute in Germany.
Media contacts: Pam Jones, (615) 343-4107
pamela.l.jones@vanderbilt.edu
David F. Salisbury, (615) 343-6803
david.salisbury@vanderbilt.edu