‘Top young mathematician’ Dong Li awarded the Coxeter-James Prize

OTTAWA — University of British Columbia Professor Dong Li is one of the leading young mathematicians in Canada and the recipient of the 2015 CMS Coxeter-James prize. Dong is described as, “one of the top young researchers working the broad area of Analysis and Partial Differential Equations,” by his colleagues. His main research field is mathematical fluid dynamics, nonlinear dispersive equations and mathematical physics.

“Dong Li is a remarkable mathematician, who has already made outstanding contributions to the study of PDE [partial differential equations] and applied mathematics," said Carlos Kenig in his nomination letter for Li.

“Emerging young mathematicians are essential for the future of mathematics in Canada,” said CMS president Lia Bronsard, “Dong’s research is impressive and his results are influential within the mathematical community.”

Dong has presented his work at more than 45 conferences around the world and is the recipient of several awards including the Von Neumann Fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study in 2012-2013 and the Visiting Fellowship from the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in 2010.

Dong was born in Jiangsu, China and received his PhD in 2006 from Princeton University. He was a member at the Institute for Advanced Study from 2006 to 2009 and a tenure-track assistant professor at University of Iowa from 2009 to 2011, before joining the University of British Columbia in 2011. The Coxeter-James prize will be awarded in June at the 2015 CMS Summer Meeting in Charlottetown.

About the Coxeter James Prize

The Coxeter-James Prize was inaugurated in 1978 to recognize young mathematicians who have made outstanding contributions to mathematical research. The award is named on behalf of two former CMS presidents, Donald Coxeter, who is recognized as one of the world’s best geometers, and Ralph Duncan James, who was a great contributor to mathematical development in Canada.

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)

Founded in 1945, the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) promotes the advancement, discovery, learning and application of mathematics. The CMS promotes mathematics through a rich array of activities including: scientific meetings; publications; awards; prizes; grants; camps and competitions. As the national math association, the CMS represents Canada internationally to other societies as well as organizations such as the International Mathematical Union (IMU).

For more information, please contact: