A German Mathematician's Contributions to Geometric Analysis
Michael Struwe is a German mathematician born on October 6, 1955, in Wuppertal. His work specializes in calculus of variations and nonlinear partial differential equations. As a prominent figure in the field of mathematics, Struwe's contributions have been recognized with various awards and honors.
Early Life and Education
Struwe studied mathematics at the University of Bonn, where he gained his PhD in 1980. His doctoral thesis, titled "Infinitely Many Solutions for Superlinear, Anticoercive Elliptic Boundary Value Problems without Oddness," showcased his early interest in calculus of variations and nonlinear partial differential equations.
Academic Career
After completing his PhD, Struwe took research positions in Paris and at ETH Zürich. He gained his habilitation in Bonn in 1984, which is a higher academic degree in Germany that allows for a professorship. Since 1986, Struwe has been working at ETH Zürich, initially as an assistant professor, becoming a full professor in 1993. His specialisms included nonlinear partial differential equations and calculus of variations.
Publications and Awards
Struwe is a joint editor of several prestigious journals, including Calculus of Variations, Commentarii Mathematici Helvetici, International Mathematical Research Notices, and Mathematische Zeitschrift. His publications include the book "Variational methods (Applications to nonlinear PDE and Hamiltonian systems)" (Springer-Verlag, 1990), which was praised by Jürgen Jost as "very useful" with an "impressive range of often difficult examples."
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Struwe was awarded the Cantor medal from the Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung in 2012. He was also selected as one of the inaugural fellows of the American Mathematical Society in 2012.
Gauss Lecture and Legacy
In 2011, Struwe was awarded a Gauss Lecture by the German Mathematical Society. This honor is a testament to his significant contributions to the field of mathematics. Struwe's work has had a lasting impact on the study of nonlinear partial differential equations and calculus of variations, inspiring future generations of mathematicians.
FAQ
What is the main area of specialization for Michael Struwe? Michael Struwe specializes in calculus of variations and nonlinear partial differential equations.
How was Michael Struwe recognized by the German Mathematical Society? Michael Struwe was awarded a Gauss Lecture by the German Mathematical Society in 2011.
What is the significance of Michael Struwe's book "Variational methods"? Michael Struwe's book "Variational methods" was praised for its "impressive range of often difficult examples" and was considered "very useful" by Jürgen Jost.
How did Michael Struwe's work contribute to the field of mathematics? Michael Struwe's work has had a lasting impact on the study of nonlinear partial differential equations and calculus of variations, inspiring future generations of mathematicians.
What is the Cantor medal, and who awarded it to Michael Struwe? The Cantor medal is an award given by the Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung to recognize outstanding achievements in mathematics. Michael Struwe was awarded the Cantor medal in 2012.