Augustin Banyaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augustin Banyaga
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | March 31, 1947 |
| Nationality | Rwandan-American |
| Education | University of Geneva (BS, 1971) University of Geneva (MS, 1972) |
| Alma mater | University of Geneva |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | Pennsylvania State University |
| Thesis | Sur la structure des groupes de difféomorphismes qui préservent une forme symplectique (1976) |
| Doctoral advisor | André Haefliger |
Augustin Banyaga was born on March 31, 1947, in Kigali, Rwanda. He is an American mathematician. He studies special areas of math called symplectic topology and contact geometry. Mr. Banyaga is a Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Augustin Banyaga studied at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), in 1971. He then received his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in 1972.
He continued his studies at the University of Geneva. In 1976, he earned his Ph.D. degree in mathematics. His professor, André Haefliger, guided his research. Mr. Banyaga was the first person from Rwanda to get a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Career Highlights
After finishing his Ph.D., Mr. Banyaga worked at several important places. From 1977 to 1978, he was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. This is a famous center for advanced research.
He then became an Assistant Professor at Harvard University from 1978 to 1982. After that, he was an assistant professor at Boston University from 1982 to 1984.
In 1984, Mr. Banyaga joined Pennsylvania State University. He started as an associate professor. He became a full professor in 1992.
Contributions to Mathematics
Augustin Banyaga has made important discoveries in a field called symplectic topology. This area of math studies shapes and spaces in a special way. He is known for his work on groups of "diffeomorphisms." These are like special transformations that keep certain properties of shapes the same.
One of his most famous findings is about "Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms." He showed that a group of these transformations on a certain type of space is a "simple group." This means it cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler groups in a particular way.
Awards and Recognition
In 2009, Mr. Banyaga was chosen as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. This is a great honor for scientists in Africa.
In 2015, Pennsylvania State University named him a Distinguished Senior Scholar. This award recognizes his important work and contributions to the university.
Teaching and Editing
Professor Banyaga is also involved in sharing mathematical knowledge. He is an editor for Afrika Matematica. This is a journal published by the African Mathematical Union. He also helps edit the African Journal of Mathematics.
He has guided many students in their studies. He has supervised the research of nine students who earned their Ph.D. degrees.
