Erol Gelenbe
Encyclopedia
Sami Erol Gelenbe is a Turkish
computer scientist
, engineer
and applied mathematician who currently holds the Dennis Gabor
Professorship at Imperial College. Best known for introducing the random neural network
s and the eponymous G-networks
, Gelenbe is the recipient of several awards, including the ACM
SIGMETRICS Life-Time Achievement Award.
. As his father's job was in Ankara, Gelenbe moved there for his studies. He graduated from Ankara Koleji in 1962 and from the Middle East Technical University
in 1966, winning the K.K. Clarke Research Award for work on "partial flux switching magnetic memory systems". Awarded a Fulbright Fellowship
, he continued his studies at Polytechnic University, where he completed a Master's degree
and a PhD thesis
on "Stochastic automata with structural restrictions", under the supervision of Edward J. Smith.
After graduation he joined the University of Michigan
as an Assistant Professor. In 1972, on leave from Michigan, he founded the Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems research group at INRIA (France), and was a visiting lecturer at the University of Paris 13 University
. In 1971 he was elected to the second Chair in Computer Science at the University of Liège
, which he joined in 1973 while remaining a research director at INRIA. In 1973, he was awarded a Doctorat d'État ès Sciences Mathématiques from the Paris VI University with a thesis on "Modèlisation des systèmes informatiques", under Jacques-Louis Lions
. In 1979, Gelenbe moved to the Paris-Sud 11 University
in 1979 where he co-founded the Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique and its PhD Program, before joining Paris Descartes University in 1986.
Gelenbe moved back to the United States in 1991. Until 1993, he worked as a New Jersey State Endowed Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
and between 1993 and 1998 as Chaired professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University
. In 1998, he moved to the University of Central Florida
, where he founded the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2003, Gelenbe joined Imperial College London
, where he was appointed Dennis Gabor
Professor of Electrical Engineering following Igor Aleksander
's retirement.
management, data base reliability optimisation, distributed systems and network protocols. He carried out some of the first work on the adaptive control of computer systems, and published seminal papers on the performance analysis and optimisation of computer network protocols and on the use of diffusion approximations for network performance. He developed the mathematics of new product form queueing networks with negative customers and triggers known as "G-networks
". He has also introduced a new spiked stochastic neural network
model known as the random neural network
, developed its mathematical solution and learning algorithms, and applied it to both engineering and biological problems. His inventions include the design of the first random access fibre-optics local area network, a patented admission control technique for ATM networks, a neural network based anomaly detector for brain magnetic resonance scans, and the "cognitive packet network" routing protocol to offer quality of service to users.
In 1982, he introduced a national programme in France for vocational training in computer technology called the "Programme des VFI (Volontaires pour la Formation a l'Informatique)".
From 1984 to 1986 he served as the Science and Technology Advisor to the French Secretary of State for Universities and introduced a basic course in computer science for all university students across the country in all degree programs.
He founded the ISCIS (International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences) series of conferences that since 1986 are held annually in Turkey to bring together Turkish computer scientists with their international counterparts.
According to the Mathematics Genealogy project, Gelenbe has graduated 55 PhD students.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
computer scientist
Computer scientist
A computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and applied mathematician who currently holds the Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor CBE, FRS was a Hungarian-British electrical engineer and inventor, most notable for inventing holography, for which he later received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics....
Professorship at Imperial College. Best known for introducing the random neural network
Random neural network
The random neural network is a mathematical representation of an interconnected network of neurons or cells which exchange spiking signals that was invented by Erol Gelenbe and is linked to the G-network model of queueing networks as well as to Gene Regulatory Network models...
s and the eponymous G-networks
G-networks
In queueing theory, a discipline within the mathematical theory of probability, a G–network is an open network of G–queues first introduced by Erol Gelenbe as a model for queueing systems with specific control functions, such as traffic re-routing or traffic destruction, as well as a model for ...
, Gelenbe is the recipient of several awards, including the ACM
Association for Computing Machinery
The Association for Computing Machinery is a learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 as the world's first scientific and educational computing society. Its membership is more than 92,000 as of 2009...
SIGMETRICS Life-Time Achievement Award.
Biography
Gelenbe was born in Istanbul in 1945, to Italian-born Maria Sacchet and Turkish-born Yusuf Ali Gelenbe, a descendant of the 18th century Ottoman mathematician Gelenbevi Ismail EfendiGelenbevi Ismail Efendi
Ismail Gelenbevi was an Ottoman mathematician and professor at the Naval College in Istanbul, Turkey.Born in 1730 in the town of Gelenbe near Manisa, at that time in the Province of Aydin in Western Turkey, he is known under the name "Gelenbevi" , which means "de Gelenbe" in French, and "von...
. As his father's job was in Ankara, Gelenbe moved there for his studies. He graduated from Ankara Koleji in 1962 and from the Middle East Technical University
Middle East Technical University
Middle East Technical University is a public technical university located in Ankara, Turkey...
in 1966, winning the K.K. Clarke Research Award for work on "partial flux switching magnetic memory systems". Awarded a Fulbright Fellowship
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
, he continued his studies at Polytechnic University, where he completed a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and a PhD thesis
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
on "Stochastic automata with structural restrictions", under the supervision of Edward J. Smith.
After graduation he joined the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
as an Assistant Professor. In 1972, on leave from Michigan, he founded the Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems research group at INRIA (France), and was a visiting lecturer at the University of Paris 13 University
Paris 13 University
University of Paris 13 is one of the thirteen universities in Paris which replaced the University of Paris in 1970. It is also identified as University of Paris North .-External links:*...
. In 1971 he was elected to the second Chair in Computer Science at the University of Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
, which he joined in 1973 while remaining a research director at INRIA. In 1973, he was awarded a Doctorat d'État ès Sciences Mathématiques from the Paris VI University with a thesis on "Modèlisation des systèmes informatiques", under Jacques-Louis Lions
Jacques-Louis Lions
Jacques-Louis Lions ForMemRS was a French mathematician who made contributions to the theory of partial differential equations and to stochastic control, among other areas. He received the SIAM's John Von Neumann prize in 1986. Lions is listed as an ISI highly cited researcher.-Biography:After...
. In 1979, Gelenbe moved to the Paris-Sud 11 University
Paris-Sud 11 University
University of Paris-Sud or University of Paris-Sud or University of Paris XI is a French university distributed among several campuses in the southern suburb of Paris...
in 1979 where he co-founded the Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique and its PhD Program, before joining Paris Descartes University in 1986.
Gelenbe moved back to the United States in 1991. Until 1993, he worked as a New Jersey State Endowed Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
and between 1993 and 1998 as Chaired professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. In 1998, he moved to the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
, where he founded the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2003, Gelenbe joined Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, where he was appointed Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor CBE, FRS was a Hungarian-British electrical engineer and inventor, most notable for inventing holography, for which he later received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics....
Professor of Electrical Engineering following Igor Aleksander
Igor Aleksander
Igor Aleksander FREng is an emeritus professor of Neural Systems Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London...
's retirement.
Notable contributions
Gelenbe has contributed theoretical and applied research concerning the performance of multiprogramming computer systems, virtual memoryVirtual memory
In computing, virtual memory is a memory management technique developed for multitasking kernels. This technique virtualizes a computer architecture's various forms of computer data storage , allowing a program to be designed as though there is only one kind of memory, "virtual" memory, which...
management, data base reliability optimisation, distributed systems and network protocols. He carried out some of the first work on the adaptive control of computer systems, and published seminal papers on the performance analysis and optimisation of computer network protocols and on the use of diffusion approximations for network performance. He developed the mathematics of new product form queueing networks with negative customers and triggers known as "G-networks
G-networks
In queueing theory, a discipline within the mathematical theory of probability, a G–network is an open network of G–queues first introduced by Erol Gelenbe as a model for queueing systems with specific control functions, such as traffic re-routing or traffic destruction, as well as a model for ...
". He has also introduced a new spiked stochastic neural network
Neural network
The term neural network was traditionally used to refer to a network or circuit of biological neurons. The modern usage of the term often refers to artificial neural networks, which are composed of artificial neurons or nodes...
model known as the random neural network
Random neural network
The random neural network is a mathematical representation of an interconnected network of neurons or cells which exchange spiking signals that was invented by Erol Gelenbe and is linked to the G-network model of queueing networks as well as to Gene Regulatory Network models...
, developed its mathematical solution and learning algorithms, and applied it to both engineering and biological problems. His inventions include the design of the first random access fibre-optics local area network, a patented admission control technique for ATM networks, a neural network based anomaly detector for brain magnetic resonance scans, and the "cognitive packet network" routing protocol to offer quality of service to users.
In 1982, he introduced a national programme in France for vocational training in computer technology called the "Programme des VFI (Volontaires pour la Formation a l'Informatique)".
From 1984 to 1986 he served as the Science and Technology Advisor to the French Secretary of State for Universities and introduced a basic course in computer science for all university students across the country in all degree programs.
He founded the ISCIS (International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences) series of conferences that since 1986 are held annually in Turkey to bring together Turkish computer scientists with their international counterparts.
According to the Mathematics Genealogy project, Gelenbe has graduated 55 PhD students.
Latest research interests
Gelenbe is currently working on the concept of a Social Computer, which he describes as "a computational system that harnesses the innate problem solving, action and information gathering powers of humans and the environments in which they live in order to tackle large scale social problems that are beyond our current capabilities".Awards
- Institution of Engineering and Technology Oliver Lodge Medal http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/member-news/25/gazette.cfm, 2010
- Honorary Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences http://mta.hu/oldmta/?pid=859&LANG=e&TID=101497, 2010
- ACM SIGMETRICS Award http://www.sigmetrics.org/achievementaward-2008.shtml describes him "as the single individual who, over a span of 30 years, has made the greatest overall contribution to the field of Computer System and Network Performance Evaluation"
- Knight Commander in the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, or "Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana", 2007
- Member of the Turkish Academy of SciencesTurkish Academy of SciencesThe Turkish Academy of Sciences is an autonomous scholarly society acting to promote scientific activities in Turkey. Although it is attached to the office of the Prime Minister and is largely funded by the government, it maintains financial and administrative autonomy...
- Member of the French Academy of TechnologiesFrench Academy of TechnologiesThe French Academy of Technologies is a learned society, founded in 2000, with an emphasis on technology. It is the newest of French academies...
or "Academie des Technologies" - Member of Academia EuropaeaAcademia EuropaeaAcademia Europæa is a European non-governmental scientific academy founded in 1988. Its members are scientists and scholars who collectively aim to promote learning, education and research. It publishes European Review through Cambridge Journals....
- Docteur en Sciences "Honoris Causa", University of LiègeUniversity of LiègeThe University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
Belgium - Dottore Ingegnere "Honoris Causa", University of Rome Tor VergataUniversity of Rome Tor VergataThe University of Rome Tor Vergata is a public university located in Rome, Italy. It is one of the largest research-based institutions in the country. The University is an international center for research and education and it is well known for scientific studies...
, Italy, 1996 - Doctor "Honoris Causa" from Boğaziçi UniversityBogaziçi UniversityBoğaziçi University is a public university located on the European side of the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. It has five faculties and two schools offering undergraduate degrees, and six institutes offering graduate degrees...
, IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and... - Commander of Merit of Italy (CommendatoreCommendatoreLiterally Commander, the official title of Commendatore is awarded by decree of the President of Italy to individuals who are given this honour in the Italian Order of Merit known as the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica and other orders of knighthood...
in the "Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana"), 2005 - Chevalier des Palmes AcademiquesPalmes académiquesThe Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and educational figures...
, France - Officer of the Ordre National du MériteOrdre National du MériteThe Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
of France - Fellow of the ACM, New York, USA
- France Telecom Prize, one of the Grands Prix of the French Academy of Science, 1996
- Parlar Foundation Science AwardParlar Foundation Science AwardThe Parlar Foundation was created in 1981 in Ankara, Turkey to promote science and technology and its industrial applications. It was named after the late Professor Mustafa N. Parlar, a Dean of Engineering at the Middle East Technical University...
, Turkey, 1994 - Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Merite, France, 1991
- Fellow of the IEEE, New York, USA, 1986
- IFIPS (IFIP) Silver Core Award, 1980
Selected bibliography
- E. Gelenbe "On languages defined by linear probabilistic automata", Information and Control, 16(5):487–501, July 1970.
- E. Gelenbe "A realizable model for stochastic sequential machines", IEEE Trans. Comput. 20, 199–204 (1971).
- E. Gelenbe "On approximate computer system models", Journal of the ACM 22(2):261–269 (April 1975).
- E. Gelenbe and I. Mitrani "Analysis and synthesis of computer systems", Academic Press (June 1980), 239 pp., ISBN 0122793501, ISBN 978-0122793509.
- E. Gelenbe "On the optimum checkpoint interval", Journal of the ACM, 26(2):259–270, April 1979.
- E. Gelenbe "Product-Form queueing networks with negative and positive customers", Journal of Applied Probability, Vol. 28 (3): 656–663 (Sep., 1991).
- E. Gelenbe, Mao, Z.H., Li, Y.D. "Function approximation with spiked random networks,", IEEE Trans. on Neural Networks, 10 (1): 3–9, 1999.
- E. Gelenbe and G. Pujolle "Introduction to Queueing Networks", John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, USA, 1987 and 2000.
- E. Gelenbe, R. Lent and Z. Xu "Design and performance of a cognitive packet network", Performance Evaluation, 46, (2–3): 155–176, October 2001.
- E. Gelenbe and Hussain K.F. "Learning in the multiple class random neural network, " IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, 13(6): 1257–1267, Nov. 2002.
- E. Gelenbe, Gellman, R. M. Lent, P. Liu and Pu Su "Autonomous smart routing for network QoS", Proc. International Conference on Autonomic Computing: 232–239, ISBN 0-7695-2114-2, 17–18 May 2004.
- J.-M. Fourneau and E. Gelenbe "Flow equivalence and stochastic equivalence in G-networks", DOI 10.1007/s10287-003-0008-z, Computational Management Science, 1 (2): 179-192, July 2004.
- E. Gelenbe "Analysis of automated auctions", ISCIS'06, Computer and Information Sciences, 21st International Symposium, Istanbul, Turkey, November 1–3, 2006, ISCIS, Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science, LNCS 4263, ISBN 3-540-47242-8, pp. 1–12, 2006.
- E. Gelenbe "Steady-state solution of probabilistic gene regulatory networks", Physical Review E, 76(1), 031903 (2007).
- E. Gelenbe "A Diffusion Model for Packet Travel Time in a Random Multi-Hop Medium", ACM Trans. on Sensor Networks, 3 (2), Article 10, June 2007.
- E. Gelenbe "Dealing with software viruses: a biological paradigm", Information Security Technical Reports 12: 242–250, Elsevier Science, 2007.
- E. Gelenbe, G. Sakellari and M. d'Arienzo "Admission of QoS aware users in a smart network", ACM Trans. on Autonomous and Adaptive Systems, 3(1), Idaho TAAS-07-0003, 2008.
- E. Gelenbe "Network of interacting synthetic molecules in equilibrium" Proc. Royal Society A 464:2219–2228, 2008.
- E. Gelenbe and I. Mitrani "Analysis and Synthesis of Computer Systems" World Scientific, Imperial College Press, Singapore and London, 2009.
- E. Gelenbe "Analysis of single and networked auctions", ACM Trans. on Internet Technology, 9 (2), 2009.
- E. Gelenbe "Steps toward self-aware networks", Communications ACM, 52 (7):66–75, July 2009.
- A. Berl, E. Gelenbe, M. Di Girolamo, G. Giuliani, H. De Meer, M. Quan Dang, and K. Pentikousis "Energy-efficient cloud computing", Comp. J. 53 (7): 1045–1051, 2010.
- E. Gelenbe "Search in unknown random environments", Phys. Rev. E 82: 061112, 2010.
- E. Gelenbe and C. Morfopoulou "A framework for energy aware routing in packet networks", Comp. J., doi:10.1093/comjnl/bxq092, 2011.
Further reading
- M. Ufuk Çaglayan "Erol Gelenbe's Career and Contributions" in Proc. ISCIS 2005, Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science LNCS No. 3733, ISBN 3-540-29414-7, pp. 966–970, Berlin and Heidelberg, 2005.
- A. Bensoussan "Erol Gelenbe's Contributions to Computer and Networks Performance" pp. 1–5, in J. Barria (ed.) "Communication Networks and Computer Systems: A Tribute to Professor Erol Gelenbe.", Imperial College Press, World Scientific, 2006.
- J. Barria (ed.) "Communication Networks and Computer Systems: A Tribute to Professor Erol Gelenbe.", Imperial College Press, World Scientific, ISBN 1860946593, London and Singapore, 2006.
External links
- http://www2.ee.ic.ac.uk/electricalengineering/eepeople/person.asp?s=NIL&id=3703 Erol Gelenbe at Imperial College
- http://ubiquity.acm.org/article.cfm?id=763914 Interview published in ACM Ubiquity, 2002.
- http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1899474&coll=DL&dl=ACM&retn=1 Part 1 of Interview published in ACM Ubiquity, 2010.
- http://ubiquity.acm.org/article.cfm?id=1936885 Part 2 of Interview published in ACM Ubiquity, 2010.
- http://www.informatik.uni-trier.de/~ley/db/indices/a-tree/g/Gelenbe:Erol.html Erol Gelenbe's Publications as listed in the DBLP Computer Science Bibliography and his List of Collaborators (including his doctoral students).