Dan-Virgil Voiculescu
Encyclopedia
Dan-Virgil Voiculescu is a professor of mathematics
at the University of California, Berkeley
. He has worked in single operator theory
, operator K-theory
and von Neumann algebra
s. More recently, he developed free probability
theory.
Voiculescu studied at the University of Bucharest
, receiving his PhD in 1977 under the direction of Ciprian Foias
. He was an assistant at the University of Bucharest (1972–1973), a researcher at the Institute of Mathematics of the Romanian Academy
(1973–1975), and a researcher at INCREST (1975–1986). He came to Berkeley in 1986 for the International Congress of Mathematicians
, and stayed on as visiting professor. Voiculescu was appointed professor at Berkeley in 1987.
He received the 2004 NAS Award in Mathematics
from the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) for “the theory of free probability, in particular, using random matrices
and a new concept of entropy
to solve several hitherto intractable problems in von Neumann algebras.”
Voiculescu was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2006.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He has worked in single operator theory
Operator theory
In mathematics, operator theory is the branch of functional analysis that focuses on bounded linear operators, but which includes closed operators and nonlinear operators.Operator theory also includes the study of algebras of operators....
, operator K-theory
K-theory
In mathematics, K-theory originated as the study of a ring generated by vector bundles over a topological space or scheme. In algebraic topology, it is an extraordinary cohomology theory known as topological K-theory. In algebra and algebraic geometry, it is referred to as algebraic K-theory. It...
and von Neumann algebra
Von Neumann algebra
In mathematics, a von Neumann algebra or W*-algebra is a *-algebra of bounded operators on a Hilbert space that is closed in the weak operator topology and contains the identity operator. They were originally introduced by John von Neumann, motivated by his study of single operators, group...
s. More recently, he developed free probability
Free probability
Free probability is a mathematical theory that studies non-commutative random variables. The "freeness" or free independence property is the analogue of the classical notion of independence, and it is connected with free products....
theory.
Voiculescu studied at the University of Bucharest
University of Bucharest
The University of Bucharest , in Romania, is a university founded in 1864 by decree of Prince Alexander John Cuza to convert the former Saint Sava Academy into the current University of Bucharest.-Presentation:...
, receiving his PhD in 1977 under the direction of Ciprian Foias
Ciprian Foias
Ciprian Ilie Foias is a Romanian-American mathematician. He was awarded the Norbert Wiener Prize in Applied Mathematics in 1995, for his contributions in operator theory....
. He was an assistant at the University of Bucharest (1972–1973), a researcher at the Institute of Mathematics of the Romanian Academy
Institute of Mathematics of the Romanian Academy
The Institute of Mathematics "Simion Stoilow" of the Romanian Academy is a research institute in Bucharest, specialized in Mathematics. It was named after Simion Stoilow, who was its first Director, in 1949. In 1974 Nicolae Ceauşescu's daughter Zoia was permitted into the institute because of her...
(1973–1975), and a researcher at INCREST (1975–1986). He came to Berkeley in 1986 for the International Congress of Mathematicians
International Congress of Mathematicians
The International Congress of Mathematicians is the largest conference for the topic of mathematics. It meets once every four years, hosted by the International Mathematical Union ....
, and stayed on as visiting professor. Voiculescu was appointed professor at Berkeley in 1987.
He received the 2004 NAS Award in Mathematics
NAS Award in Mathematics
The NAS Award in Mathematics is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for excellence of research in the mathematical sciences published within the past ten years." It has been awarded every four years since 1988....
from the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(NAS) for “the theory of free probability, in particular, using random matrices
Random matrix
In probability theory and mathematical physics, a random matrix is a matrix-valued random variable. Many important properties of physical systems can be represented mathematically as matrix problems...
and a new concept of entropy
Entropy
Entropy is a thermodynamic property that can be used to determine the energy available for useful work in a thermodynamic process, such as in energy conversion devices, engines, or machines. Such devices can only be driven by convertible energy, and have a theoretical maximum efficiency when...
to solve several hitherto intractable problems in von Neumann algebras.”
Voiculescu was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2006.