Carl M. Bender

Carl M. Bender is the Wilfred R. and Ann Lee Konneker Distinguished Professor of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is also Joint Professor of Physics, University of Heidelberg; Visiting Professor of Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, Imperial College, London; Fellow and Visiting Professor of Physics at King's College London. Bender's focus is mathematical physics and applied mathematics. He is recognized as an expert on the subject of asymptotic analysis, differential equations, and perturbative methods and their use in solving problems of theoretical physics.

Bender applies the tools of applied mathematics to solve problems in mathematical physics. His past work includes (i) pioneering research on the anharmonic oscillator and studies of coupling-constant analyticity; (ii) development of the field of perturbation theory in large order, (iii) strong-coupling, finite-element, and mean-field approximations in quantum field theory, (iv) development of the field of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics. He has served as the coach at Washington University for the Putnam Mathematical Competition for many years.