Ivo and Renata Babuška Thesis Prize

The Ivo and Renata Babuška Thesis Prize is awarded annually to the author of an outstanding PhD thesis in mathematics, interdisciplinary in nature, possibly with applications to other fields. The current prize amount is US$3,000.

About this Prize

Ivo Babuška (1926-2023) was a Czech-American mathematician whose honors include five doctorates honoris causa, the Czechoslovak State prize for Mathematics, the Leroy P. Steele Prize, the Birkhoff Prize, the Humboldt Award of Federal Republic of Germany, the John von Neumann Medal, the Neuron Prize Czech Republic, the ICAM Congress Medal (Newton Gauss), the Bolzano Medal, and the Honorary Medal De Scientia Et Humanitate Optime Meritis. Asteroid 36060 Babuška was named in his honor by the International Astronomical Union.

Renata Babuška (nee Mikulášek) was Ivo's wife and partner for 63 years. Renata grew up in Prague, Czechoslovakia and graduated from Charles University in 1953 with a degree in Mathematical Statistical Engineering. Upon graduation, she was assigned to the Education Department as an administrator evaluating universities and technical schools. Two years later she became an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the Czech Technical University. After moving to the US, Renata worked as a data and computing management consultant for different government agencies in Washington, D.C. She liked to point out that behind every successful man is a strong woman and he often said that without Renata, he would not have accomplished all that he did.

Nomination Procedure:

1. The prize will recognize a thesis for a Ph.D. granted between July 1 of year -1 and June 30 of year 0 (the year of nomination and selection) and will be presented at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in January of year +1 wherever it appears.
2. The nominating institution will be a Ph.D.-granting institution that is either a. located in the United States of America (USA), or b. located outside the USA and an institutional AMS member at the time of the nomination.
3. One Ph.D. thesis may be nominated by a nominating institution.
4. The nominating institution will submit a copy of the thesis along with a letter in support of the nomination, and both will be written in English.
5. A selection committee will be appointed by the AMS President.