Leading mathematician garners prestigious national CMS award

Kenneth Davidson to receive 2014 David Borwein Distinguished Career Award

Kenneth R. Davidson (University of Waterloo)

OTTAWA— The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is pleased to announce that Kenneth R. Davidson from the University of Waterloo is the recipient of the 2014 CMS David Borwein Distinguished Career Award in recognition of his exceptional, broad, and continued contributions to mathematics. Davidson will receive his award at an upcoming CMS meeting.

The David Borwein Distinguished Career Award is named for David Borwein, a distinguished mathematician and former CMS President. The award was established in 2004 to recognize individuals who have made a sustained outstanding contribution to the advancement of mathematics. The recipient receives a unique sculpture established by the Borwein family.

"Ken Davidson has made sustained contributions of exceptional quality to all aspects of a career as a mathematician in Canada,” said CMS President Keith Taylor in announcing the award. “His continuing scientific creativity and intellectual leadership bring honour to the CMS and the country."

Davidson has published well over 100 refereed publications in the areas of operator theory, nonselfadjoint operator algebras and C*-algebras and his research in these areas has garnered attention worldwide. He is also the author of two research monographs and a real analysis textbook.

“Ken Davidson is a highly respected, world-class researcher who has many deep, substantial, accomplishments to his credit and he hasn’t slowed down,” said Ronald Douglas (Texas A&M University) in his nominating letter. “He has played a critical role in the field of operator theory and operator algebras in Canada, the United States and worldwide.”

In his role as professor at the University of Waterloo, Ken Davidson has had a profound impact on the University’s mathematics department, helping to build a research group that is acclaimed for being one of the strongest functional and harmonic analysis groups in the country. During his tenure at Waterloo, Ken has served in many different capacities which have positively influenced the direction of the department and curriculum. He has had eight doctoral students complete their degrees, and currently has three more. He was awarded the University of Waterloo Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision in 2013.

“Ken is an excellent teacher/supervisor and his encouraging and supportive nature makes him a wonderful mentor for junior faculty,” said University of Waterloo colleague, Katheryn Hare. “He inspires young mathematicians and a number of his former graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are active members of the academic community.”

Davidson’s contributions to mathematics have been acknowledged by his receipt of the STEACIE and KILLAM fellowships, the Israel Halperin Prize in Operator Algebras, he is a Fields Institute Fellow and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Davidson’s commitment to the community is amply demonstrated in his CMS service where he chaired various committees, as well as served on the board, and as a Vice President from 1995-97. He was the Director of the Fields Institute from 2001-04. He has also served on the NSERC math GSC and on the Mathematics Steering Committee for NSERC, and on various committees of the Royal Society of Canada.

Ken Davidson was born in 1951 in Edmonton, Alberta and attended the University of Waterloo, where he received his B.Mathematics in 1972. Davidson completed his Ph.D. studies in 1976 at the University of California, Berkeley. Davidson currently holds the title of University Professor at the University of Waterloo, and serves as the Chair of the CMS International Affairs Committee.

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About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)

The CMS is the national mathematics organization whose goal is to promote the advancement, discovery, learning, and application of mathematics. The Society's activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including: scientific meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics education at all levels. The CMS annually sponsors mathematics awards and prizes that recognize outstanding achievements.