Charles M. Newman
Encyclopedia
Charles Michael "Chuck" Newman (born 1 March 1946) is a mathematician and a physicist at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
of New York University
. He works in the fields of mathematical physics
, statistical mechanics
, and probability theory
.
He has contributed to numerous fields where probability mixes with physics, including metastability
, spin glasses, the mathematics of food webs and the Ising model
, and percolation theory
including its connections to Schramm–Loewner evolutions and the Brownian web.
He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences
since 2004, and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
since 2006. According to his citation for membership of the National Academy of Sciences
, he is "an agile and creative probabilist" who "has made deep, unusually insightful contributions over a wide range of science. He is most widely known for his work in disordered systems, including percolation models
, random networks and spin glasses. His contributions combine conceptual penetration with technical virtuosity."
Newman graduated from MIT in 1966 with degrees in both mathematics and physics. He completed his PhD
at Princeton University
in 1971 with advisor Arthur Wightman
. After two years as an Assistant Professor at NYU, he accepted a position at Indiana University
. In 1979 he moved to the University of Arizona
in Tucson, and then in 1989 to the Courant Institute. He was Chair of the Mathematics Department from 1998–2001, and Director of the Institute from 2002–2006. He is married with two daughters.
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
The Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences is an independent division of New York University under the Faculty of Arts & Science that serves as a center for research and advanced training in computer science and mathematics...
of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He works in the fields of mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
, statistical mechanics
Statistical mechanics
Statistical mechanics or statistical thermodynamicsThe terms statistical mechanics and statistical thermodynamics are used interchangeably...
, and probability theory
Probability theory
Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with analysis of random phenomena. The central objects of probability theory are random variables, stochastic processes, and events: mathematical abstractions of non-deterministic events or measured quantities that may either be single...
.
He has contributed to numerous fields where probability mixes with physics, including metastability
Metastability
Metastability describes the extended duration of certain equilibria acquired by complex systems when leaving their most stable state after an external action....
, spin glasses, the mathematics of food webs and the Ising model
Ising model
The Ising model is a mathematical model of ferromagnetism in statistical mechanics. The model consists of discrete variables called spins that can be in one of two states . The spins are arranged in a graph , and each spin interacts with its nearest neighbors...
, and percolation theory
Percolation theory
In mathematics, percolation theory describes the behavior of connected clusters in a random graph. The applications of percolation theory to materials science and other domains are discussed in the article percolation.-Introduction:...
including its connections to Schramm–Loewner evolutions and the Brownian web.
He is a member of 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...
since 2004, and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
since 2006. According to his citation for membership of 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...
, he is "an agile and creative probabilist" who "has made deep, unusually insightful contributions over a wide range of science. He is most widely known for his work in disordered systems, including percolation models
Percolation theory
In mathematics, percolation theory describes the behavior of connected clusters in a random graph. The applications of percolation theory to materials science and other domains are discussed in the article percolation.-Introduction:...
, random networks and spin glasses. His contributions combine conceptual penetration with technical virtuosity."
Newman graduated from MIT in 1966 with degrees in both mathematics and physics. He completed his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1971 with advisor Arthur Wightman
Arthur Wightman
Arthur Strong Wightman is an American mathematical physicist. He is one of the founders of the axiomatic approach to quantum field theory, and originated the set of Wightman axioms....
. After two years as an Assistant Professor at NYU, he accepted a position at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
. In 1979 he moved to the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
in Tucson, and then in 1989 to the Courant Institute. He was Chair of the Mathematics Department from 1998–2001, and Director of the Institute from 2002–2006. He is married with two daughters.