Dusa McDuff is a mathematician who brought symplectic geometry to the attention of the mathematical world. She has co-authored several textbooks that explain the foundations of symplectic topology, and is particularly interested in encouraging women to participate in mathematics.
Dusa uses mathematical methods to map the transformation of geometric shapes and spaces, applying calculus to a simplified geometric object — the symplectic form — to measure more complex, multidimensional objects within a space. Topographical relationships across geometric groups mean computations carried out on the simpler form remain valid for complex forms within that group. This work was recognised by the American Mathematical Society, which awarded her the inaugural Satter Prize.
She has developed new undergraduate courses to foster mathematical creativity and is involved in the Women in Science and Engineering Program at Stony Brook University. Partially funded by the US National Science Foundation, WISE supports female students seeking a career in science, mathematics, or engineering.
Awards
Sylvester Medal
For her pioneering role in the development of the new field of symplectic geometry and topology. Her outstanding work includes many fundamental theorems and she has been inspirational for generations of mathematicians.
