Scott W. Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scott W. Williams
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| Born | 22 April 1943 Staten Island, New York, USA
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Pre-doctoral: B.S. Mathematics (minor in Humanities) 1964 Morgan State College; M.S. Mathematics (1967) Lehigh University. Post-doctoral: Ph.D. Topology (minor in Algebra) 1969 Lehigh University; thesis: The Transfinite Cardinal Covering Dimension; Advisor: Samuel Gulden |
| Known for | Studies in topology and innovations in the field of mathematics |
| Awards | New York Chancellor Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1982 |
| Honours | Ford Foundation Senior Research Fellow, 1980-81
National Science Foundation research grant, 1983–87 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, State University of New York (1982) 1986–1987 Fulbright-Lecturer (Prague Czechoslovakia) 1997 Keynote Address, A Sly Fox Approach to Racism, Conference on Black History, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, February 2004, selected as one of the 50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science. Professor Williams has published 32 papers, given MORE THAN eighty-five invited conference lectures, colloquia, and seminar lectures on his mathematics research at fifty-eight institutions in eight countries, and has lectured to high-ability high-school students. |
Scott Williams was born on April 22, 1943, in Staten Island, New York. He is a professor of mathematics at the University at Buffalo, which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. In 2017, he was honored by Mathematically Gifted & Black for his important contributions during Black History Month.
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Education and Early Life
Scott Williams grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Morgan State University, where he earned his bachelor degree in mathematics. Even before finishing his bachelor's degree, he was already solving tough math problems. He also helped write two papers on a type of advanced math called Non-Associative Algebra with his college advisor, Dr. Volodymyr Bohun-Chudinov.
Later, Scott Williams continued his studies at Lehigh University. He earned his Master's degree in mathematics in 1967 and his Ph.D. (a very high-level degree) in mathematics in 1969.
A Career in Mathematics
After finishing his studies, Dr. Williams worked as a research associate at Pennsylvania State University from 1969 to 1971. In 1971, he became an assistant professor of mathematics at the University at Buffalo. His hard work and dedication led to him becoming a Full Professor at the university in 1985.
Dr. Williams received several important awards for his work. In 1982, he won the New York Chancellor Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognized his great skills as a teacher. In 2004, Science Spectrum Magazine and Career Communications Group named him one of the "50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science."
Focus on Topology
Dr. Williams mainly focused on a branch of mathematics called topology. Topology is the study of shapes and spaces, and how they can be stretched or bent without tearing. In 1975, he was the first topologist to use a special math idea, now known as b = d, to help solve a famous and still-unsolved math problem called the Box Product problem.
Supporting Other Mathematicians
Scott Williams also played a big role in creating groups that support mathematicians. In 1971, he helped start an organization that later became the National Association of Mathematicians. This group helps mathematicians from different backgrounds.
In 1997, Dr. Williams teamed up with William Massey to create the Committee for African American Researchers in the Mathematical Sciences. This committee works to support and encourage African American researchers in math.
Mathematicians of the African Diaspora
One of Dr. Williams's most notable contributions is creating the website Mathematicians of the African Diaspora (MAD) in 1997. This website is dedicated to sharing information about the important work and discoveries of mathematicians of African descent. It helps highlight their contributions to math, especially in current research.
