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Ruth Charney
Ruth Charney.jpg
Ruth Charney in 1977
Born 1950 (age 74–75)
Alma mater Brandeis University
Princeton University
Known for Geometric group theory, Artin groups
Awards
Scientific career
Fields Mathematics
Institutions Brandeis University
Thesis Homological Stability for the General Linear Group of a Principal Ideal Domain (1977)
Doctoral advisor Wu-Chung Hsiang

Ruth Michele Charney, born in 1950, is an American mathematician. She is well-known for her work in a special area of math called geometric group theory. This field uses shapes and spaces to understand groups of numbers. She also studies Artin groups, K-theory, and algebraic topology.

Ruth Charney holds a special teaching position at Brandeis University. She was among the first mathematicians to be named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. She was also one of the first Fellows of the Association for Women in Mathematics. She led the Association for Women in Mathematics from 2013 to 2015. She also served as president of the American Mathematical Society from 2021 to 2023.

Early Life and Education

Ruth Charney went to Brandeis University and finished her math degree in 1972. After that, she spent a year studying modern dance. She earned her Ph.D. (a high-level university degree) from Princeton University in 1977. Her main teacher there was Wu-Chung Hsiang.

Career and Contributions

After finishing her studies at Princeton, Ruth Charney worked at the University of California, Berkeley. She then became a professor at Yale University. Later, she taught at Ohio State University until 2003. In 2003, she returned to work at Brandeis University.

Leading Women in Math

Ruth Charney was the president of the Association for Women in Mathematics from 2013 to 2015. In this role, she focused on helping young women get involved in math. She believed in summer programs, finding mentors, and getting parents involved. These efforts helped more girls and young women explore math.

Leading the American Mathematical Society

In 2019, she was chosen to be the president of the American Mathematical Society. She served in this important role from 2021 to 2023. This society is a big organization for mathematicians in America. She is currently the Immediate Past President of the AMS.

Awards and Recognition

  • In 2013, Ruth Charney was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This was a new honor, and she was in the very first group to receive it.
  • In 2017, she was also chosen as a Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics. Again, she was part of the first group to get this recognition. Being a Fellow means she is highly respected for her work in mathematics.
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