Craig Tracy facts for kids
Craig Arnold Tracy, born on September 9, 1945, is an American mathematician. He is famous for his important work in mathematical physics and probability theory.
Craig was born in the United Kingdom but moved to Missouri, USA, when he was a baby. He grew up there and earned a degree in physics from the University of Missouri in 1967.
He continued his studies at Stony Brook University. There, he earned his Ph.D. (a high-level university degree) in 1973. His research focused on complex math problems related to how tiny particles behave in materials. His advisor was Barry M. McCoy.
Career and Discoveries
After finishing his studies, Craig Tracy taught at Dartmouth College from 1978 to 1984. Later, he joined the University of California, Davis in 1984, where he is now a professor.
Craig Tracy worked closely with another mathematician named Harold Widom. They studied special mathematical objects called Toeplitz determinants. Their research led to a very important discovery known as the Tracy–Widom distribution. This mathematical idea helps scientists understand random patterns in many different areas, like how long lines form in a queue or how certain materials behave.
Because of their groundbreaking work, Craig Tracy and Harold Widom received two major awards: the George Pólya Prize and the Norbert Wiener Prize.
Awards and Recognition
Craig Tracy has received many honors for his contributions to mathematics:
- Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, 1967–68.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship, 1991.
- George Pólya Prize, 2002 (shared with Harold Widom).
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2006.
- Norbert Wiener Prize, 2007 (shared with Harold Widom).
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, 2012.
