A 1965 Putnam Fellow, Andreas Raphael Blass built a professional career centered on mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. Born in Nuremberg in 1947, he maintains United States citizenship and has spent over five decades contributing to the rigorous study of set theory, establishing himself as a significant figure in the development of modern mathematical frameworks.
Academic Foundation
Blass began his formal education at the University of Detroit, completing a Bachelor of Science in physics in 1966. During this period, he was recognized as a Putnam Fellow in 1965. He continued his graduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1970. His doctoral research focused on the orderings of ultrafilters, conducted under the supervision of Frank Wattenberg.
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Since 1970, Blass has maintained a consistent affiliation with the University of Michigan. His career path began with a two-year appointment as a T.H. Hildebrandt Research Instructor. He subsequently progressed through the faculty ranks, serving as an assistant professor from 1972 until 1976 and as an associate professor from 1976 to 1984. Since 1984, he has held the position of full professor.
Research Contributions
His research portfolio includes more than 200 articles. In 1984, he demonstrated that the existence of a basis for every vector space is logically equivalent to the axiom of choice. His work also explores the set theory of the reals and forcing. Additionally, he pioneered the connections between game semantics and linear logic, as detailed in his 1992 publication in the Annals of Pure and Applied Logic. His collaborative output includes significant works with researchers such as Saharon Shelah and Yuri Gurevich.
Professional Recognition
Throughout his career, Blass has remained an active participant in the broader mathematical community. He is a member of the American Mathematical Society, an organization that recognized his professional standing by naming him a Fellow in 2014. His work continues to influence contemporary logic and computer science theory.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Nuremberg
- Citizenship: United States
- Education: University of Detroit Mercy, Harvard University
- Primary Occupation: Mathematician
- Academic Home: University of Michigan
- Fields: Set theory, mathematical logic, theoretical computer science
- Recognition: Putnam Fellow (1965)
- Fellowship: Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2014)
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Andreas Blass's research?
He specializes in mathematical logic, with a focus on set theory, the set theory of the reals, forcing, and the application of game semantics to linear logic.
Where has Andreas Blass spent the majority of his academic career?
He has been employed by the University of Michigan since 1970, advancing from a research instructor to a full professor.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Michigan
- Fields: set theory
