Akshay Venkatesh, the Robert & Luisa Fernholz Professor in the School of Mathematics, has been chosen as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a prestigious recognition for significant contributions to original research.
Venkatesh, a mathematician, has made notable advancements at the intersection of number theory and various other fields such as representation theory, dynamics, and algebraic topology. His recent focus has been on exploring novel algebraic structures associated with the topology of locally symmetric spaces.
By joining a distinguished group of 120 members and 23 international members, Venkatesh’s election raises the total number of active members to 2,565, with 526 international members, including approximately 190 Nobel laureates.
This year, Venkatesh joins a list of esteemed members from the School of Mathematics, including Xin Zhou (2018–19), Subhash Khot (2003–04), Masaki Kashiwara (1977–78), and Cameron Gordon (1976–77).
Additionally, past members from the School of Natural Sciences, such as David Weinberg (1992–94, 2001–02, 2006, 2009–10, 2020–21), Thomas Banks (1976–77, 1978, 1983–84, 2010), Leonid Kurglyak (1991–92), and Glennys Farrar (1971–73; 1983–85; and Visitor, 1979–80), were also honored.
Established in 1863 under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution. Its membership is a testament to outstanding scientific achievement, and the academy provides valuable science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations.
