Ivo Babuska Receives AMS Steele Prize

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) has awarded its highly coveted lifetime achievement award to ICES Senior Scientist Ivo M. Babuska.

Babuska, professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics and professor of mathematics, holds the Robert B. Trull Chair in Engineering.

Presented annually by the AMS, the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement is one of the highest distinctions in mathematics.

Babuska is honored "for his many pioneering advances in the numerical solution of partial differential equations over the last half century." The prize citation goes on to say: "In his work on finite element methods, Babuska has developed and applied mathematics in profound ways to develop, analyze, and validate algorithms which are crucial for computational science and engineering. In so doing, he has helped to define that field, and has had a great impact on the modern world. A constant characteristic of Babuska's work is the combination of deep and imaginative mathematical analysis with a constant concern for the practical implications of his work for engineering applications."

An exceptionally productive author, collaborator, and mentor, Babuska has published over 350 refereed journal articles and 26 books, has had nearly 150 co-authors, and has advised 40 Ph.D. students.

The citation concludes: "Ivo M. Babuska is among the foremost numerical analysts of all time and a unique leader in applied mathematics. His many contributions have had a lasting impact on mathematics, engineering, science, and industry."