Constantine Dafermos earned his diploma in civil engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in 1964 before pivoting to mechanics for his doctoral studies. Since 1975, he has served as a professor in the Division of Applied Mathematics at Brown University, where he has held the position of Alumni-Alumnae University Professor since 1984.
Academic Foundations and Career Path
Born in 1941 in Athens, Dafermos completed his initial technical training in Greece. He later attended Johns Hopkins University, where he received a Ph.D. in mechanics in 1967 under the supervision of Jerald Ericksen. His early professional career included an assistant professorship at Cornell University from 1968 to 1971. He transitioned to Brown University in 1971 as an associate professor and has remained with the institution throughout his subsequent academic career.
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The focus of his scholarly work involves nonlinear hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. In these mathematical models, solutions frequently develop singularities that propagate as shock waves. Dafermos explores the relationship between thermodynamics and analytical theory to determine how entropy functions as a stabilizing agent within these complex systems.
Professional Recognition and Membership
Dafermos holds memberships in several scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, and the Academy of Athens. He has received multiple honorary doctorates, including those from the University of Athens in 1987, the National Technical University in 1991, and the University of Crete in 2001. Additional honors include the SIAM W.T. and Idalia Reid Prize in 2000, the ISIMM prize in 2014, and the Norbert Wiener Prize in Applied Mathematics in 2016.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, Athens
- Citizenship: United States
- Doctorate: Johns Hopkins University, 1967
- Primary Employer: Brown University
- Fellow, American Mathematical Society: 2013
- Elected to National Academy of Sciences: 2016
Questions readers ask
Where did Constantine Dafermos study?
He earned a diploma in civil engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and a Ph.D. in mechanics from Johns Hopkins University.
What is his primary area of mathematical research?
His work focuses on nonlinear hyperbolic systems of conservation laws and the role of entropy in stabilizing shock waves.
Achievements
- Held posts at Brown University
