Professor
Shing-Tung Yau
Harvard University
Mathematician; Educator
Area
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Specialty
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics
Elected
1983
Yau made fundamental contributions to differential geometry which have influenced a wide range of scientific disciplines, including astronomy and theoretical physics. With Richard Schoen, he solved a longstanding question in Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity by proving that the sum of the energy in the universe is positive; their proof provided an important tool for understanding how black holes form. His honors include the Fields Medal (1982).
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