Richard Jay Lipton

Theorist whose work has prompted new research and development in many areas. Planar separator theorem, with Tarjan, spawned hundreds of applications. SAT circuit theorem, with Karp, considered one of the key insights in complexity theory. Paper on fault-based cryptanalysis, with DeMillo and Boneh, led to an entirely new field. Work in DNA computing became a cornerstone for subsequent results. Dozens of other instances could be cited, ranging from mathematical logic to software engineering to computer system security, where work has spurred lines of research with great and lasting impact. Expositor of mathematical research, with launch of a blog called Gödel's Lost Letter (2009). With over 300 posts and 3 million visitors, it has become a world-wide phenomenon and a platform for community-based science, leading to a new way of accelerating discovery.