NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Photos of Barbara Keyfitz are available on
the Web at http://www.uh.edu/admin/media/nr/2004/06jun/060904bkeyfitz.html.
High-resolution versions are available by contacting Lisa Merkl.
NEWTON-ESQUE MATHEMATICIAN
AT UH BREAKS NEW GROUND
Professor Barbara Keyfitz First Woman Director
Appointed to Prestigious Fields Institute in Canada
HOUSTON, June 9, 2004 – Viewing the world as if it were one
big equation, UH Professor Barbara Keyfitz is the first woman to
be appointed director of a major math institute in Canada –
the Fields Institute.
Keeping in step with generations of innovators, like famed mathematician
Sir Isaac Newton, whose unique way of looking at math crossed many
traditional boundaries, Keyfitz will be bringing a fresh perspective
to the Fields Institute from the theoretical side of math, hoping
to bring fundamentals and practical applications closer together.
Beginning her three-year appointment in July, Keyfitz, a John and
Rebecca Moores Professor at the University of Houston, will continue
to make many contributions to applied mathematics in her new role,
particularly in the study of nonlinear partial differential equations,
such as those arising in the study of fluid flow or transonic shock
waves, creating tools to use in diagnosing problems in models. This
kind of research has helped other mathematicians with whom Keyfitz
works study such phenomena as tracking the flow of blood in the
human body, getting oil out of reservoirs and analyzing the disruption
of airflow over the wings of aircraft as they approach the speed
of sound.
“This institute has done a tremendous amount for mathematics,”
said Keyfitz. “I look forward to introducing new areas of
math to it, such as applications, capitalizing on my strengths in
the theoretical realm like bridging core and applied math.”
The Fields Institute, a center for mathematical research activity,
is a place where mathematicians from universities, industry and
financial institutions from around the world come together to carry
out research and formulate problems of broad mutual interest. Its
ultimate mission is to provide a supportive and stimulating environment
for mathematics innovation and education, helping to expand the
application of mathematics in modern society. One of the largest
and best known of its kind, the Fields Institute has an annual budget
of more than $2.5 million.
“Although we will miss having Dr. Keyfitz on campus for the
next few years, we support her new endeavor without hesitation and
are extremely pleased to have one of UH’s faculty members
asked to do this,” said John Bear, dean of UH’s College
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
“We see the importance of what the Fields Institute is doing
for mathematics and encourage not only Keyfitz’s professional
development but also the potential to increase the level of activity
between Fields and UH to fortify a more reciprocal relation,”
Bear said. “Perhaps we may even explore the possibility of
running Fields activities at UH. It will provide a good channel
that we can then keep open between the high quality students and
faculty found in both Canada and at UH.”
With more than half of her nearly four-decade career nurtured at
UH, Keyfitz looks forward to this chance to add to what she has
done and expects to continue her current research, as well as supplement
her repertoire of skills. She also sees it as an opportunity to
get other mathematicians to work together more effectively, upholding
basic Fields tenets that she also holds close to her heart, such
as making a case for the importance of math and strengthening intellectual
connections between various organizations.
“Canada is a good place to foster global interaction, offering
a nice meeting ground for Europe and the U.S.,” Keyfitz said.
“And it also brings a powerful infusion of energy into the
Canadian math scene.”
John Charles Fields, for whom the institute is named, worked tirelessly
throughout his life to promote mathematical research. He is best
known for establishing the Fields Medal, often called the “Nobel
Prize in Mathematics.”
“While it will be an exhausting and challenging task, I strive
to have the same kind of positive influence that Fields has had,”
Keyfitz said. “He was always encouraging mathematicians worldwide
to further the profession and stimulate new thought.”
Keyfitz brings a fresh perspective to the table at the Fields Institute
in that she is the type of mathematician whose work provides a good
base ground that others can build upon. Her approach provides the
building blocks of basic fundamental equations for others, such
as creating equations on fundamental principles of motion upon which
all mathematicians can come to agreement. Keyfitz compares this
approach to Newton’s Third Law of Motion that says, “for
every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” explaining
that she basically looks at how the physical world turns itself
into equations.
With a distinguished record of research, mentoring and service
to her profession, Keyfitz also holds many other posts that include
fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and chair elect of its mathematics section, officer of the International
Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, reviewer and advisor
to the Canadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Council, and incoming
president of the Association for Women in Mathematics.
While this latest honor as director of the Fields Institute is
actually an extremely prestigious appointment in the mathematical
community, Keyfitz quite humbly states, “It’s a good
thing to do, and I’m ready for a new challenge.”
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about the Fields Institute, visit www.fields.utoronto.ca
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