Gunther Alberto Uhlmann Arancibia began his academic journey in the Quillota Province of Chile, where he was born in 1952. A specialist in partial differential equations and inverse problems, he has spent decades exploring the mathematical foundations of invisibility and imaging, contributing to fields ranging from medical diagnostics to geophysical prospecting through rigorous analytical research.
Academic Foundation and Early Career
Uhlmann completed his undergraduate mathematics degree at the University of Chile in 1973. He relocated to pursue advanced studies, obtaining a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976. Following his doctoral work, he held postdoctoral positions at MIT, Harvard, and NYU, including a term as a Courant Instructor. In 1980, he joined the faculty at MIT as an Assistant Professor before moving to the University of Washington in 1985, where he eventually became the Walker Family Professor in 2006.
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The research trajectory of Uhlmann encompasses microlocal analysis, the propagation of singularities, and the study of paired Lagrangian distributions. He has focused on Calderón's inverse problem, with implications for electrical impedance tomography in medical imaging and electrical resistivity tomography in geophysics. His work further extends to the boundary rigidity problem, addressing challenges across multiple dimensions.
Developments in Invisibility
Uhlmann has investigated the mathematical frameworks required for cloaking and invisibility. By postulating equations for invisible materials, he contributed to the development of transformation optics in electrostatics. These studies explore how materials might be manipulated to guide waves around an object, effectively rendering the interior region hidden from external observation.
Recognition and Institutional Affiliations
Throughout his career, Uhlmann has received numerous accolades, including the Bôcher Memorial Prize in 2011 and the George David Birkhoff Prize in 2021. His professional memberships include the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Quillota Province, Chile
- Undergraduate Degree: University of Chile, 1973
- Doctoral Degree: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1976
- Primary Affiliation: University of Washington
- Bôcher Memorial Prize: 2011
- George David Birkhoff Prize: 2021
- Fellow: American Mathematical Society (2013)
- Member: National Academy of Sciences
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Gunther Uhlmann's mathematical research?
His work concentrates on inverse problems, imaging, partial differential equations, microlocal analysis, and the mathematical theory of invisibility.
Where does Gunther Uhlmann hold his primary academic appointment?
He is based at the University of Washington, where he has held the position of Walker Family Professor since 2006.
Achievements
- Bôcher Memorial Prize — 2011
- George David Birkhoff Prize — 2021
- Held posts at University of Washington
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