Lauren Williams (mathematician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lauren K. Williams
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Williams in 2015
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| Born | c. 1978 (age 46–47) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | Harvard University |
| Thesis | Combinatorial aspects of total positivity (2005) |
| Doctoral advisor | Richard P. Stanley |
Lauren Kiyomi Williams, born around 1978, is an American mathematician. She is a professor of mathematics at Harvard University. She is well-known for her work in different areas of math. These include cluster algebras and tropical geometry. These are special ways to understand complex math problems.
Contents
Her Journey in Math
Early Life and School
Lauren Williams grew up in Los Angeles. Her father was an engineer. She became interested in math when she won a contest in fourth grade. This early win showed her talent for numbers.
In 1996, she was the top student at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. During her high school summers, she did research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This was a great chance to learn more about math.
College and Beyond
Lauren Williams went to Harvard University for her college studies. She earned her degree in mathematics in 2000. She then went to MIT for her advanced studies.
In 2005, she earned her PhD from MIT. Her main teacher was Richard P. Stanley. Her PhD work was about how different math ideas fit together.
Her Work as a Professor
Starting Her Career
After finishing her studies, Lauren Williams worked at other universities. She was a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard. In 2009, she became a professor at Berkeley.
She was promoted several times at Berkeley. She became a full professor in 2016. This showed how much her work was valued.
Returning to Harvard
In 2018, she moved back to Harvard University. She became a full professor in the math department there. She was only the second woman to become a tenured math professor at Harvard. This was a big step for women in mathematics.
New Math Discoveries
Lauren Williams also works with other mathematicians. In 2018, she helped create a new way to understand special math ideas. These ideas are called Macdonald polynomials. She worked with her former student, O. Mandelshtam, and S. Corteel.
Awards and Recognition
Lauren Williams has received many important awards for her work. In 2012, she became a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This is a special honor for mathematicians.
In 2016, she won the AWM–Microsoft Research Prize in Algebra and Number Theory. This award is given by the Association for Women in Mathematics. It celebrates important research in math. In 2022, she also received a Guggenheim Fellowship. This award helps people do important research.
