The 2010 Laureates / Basic Sciences / Mathematical Sciences (including Pure Mathematics)

"Outstanding Contributions to Mathematical Sciences Based on Discrete Optimization Algorithms"
Through his advanced research on discrete structures, Dr. Lovász has provided a link among various branches of mathematics in terms of algorithms, thereby influencing a broad spectrum of the mathematical sciences - including discrete mathematics, combinational optimization and theoretical computer science. In so doing, Dr. Lovász has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of both the academic and technological possibilities of the mathematical sciences.

Contributing to the Development of Mathematical Sciences by Providing a Link among Different Branches of Mathematics

Inspiration as a high school student

In Hungary, a mathematical world power, renowned mathematicians traditionally visit schools to conduct special classes. As a high school student, Dr. Lovász was fortunate enough to attend such a class given by celebrated mathematician Paul Erdős*1, and was so enchanted by the joy of mathematics that he decided to become involved in the subject more deeply than ever before. His mathematical gift led to early achievements solving several open problems that stumped even senior mathematicians, writing a paper at the age of seventeen and publishing it in a famous mathematical journal, and winning gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad competition for three consecutive years. "It was the meeting with Dr. Erdős that developed my mathematical talent even further," he recalls.

Dr. Lovász's achievements

Up until the mid-20th century, neither combinatorial theory nor graph theory was fully systemized and, with only individual pieces of knowledge and techniques, such theories were considered something like puzzles rather than conventional mathematics. Subsequent progress in computer science, however, added to the importance of such theories, thus triggering the attempt to systemize them. Dr. Lovász played a central role in this process.
His research achievements are characterized by the fact that, through the development of standard tools for many different fields, including combinatorial theory, graph theory, and computer science, he was able to provide a link among many branches of mathematics. For instance, Dr. Lovász established a bridge between graph theory and the theory of computation and linear programming by proving the weak perfect graph conjecture. He also applied semidefinite programming techniques to coding theory to solve the problem of Shannon capacity, the methodology for which then became a standard tool for solving combinatorial optimization problems. Additionally, he demonstrated that some part of combinatorial optimization problems can be solved in polynomial time (within a realistic time) using the ellipsoid method. The value of his distinguished contributions is immeasurable. Just looking at the many mathematical concepts that bear his name, such as the Lovász local lemma and the Lovász-Schrijver relaxations, one can easily see that Dr. Lovász has made pioneering achievements in various fields.
Today, a number of young and talented mathematicians who have received Fields Medals are involved in computer science, thus forming a new current in the field of mathematical science. This is a good example of how his endeavors to integrate many different branches of mathematics have born fruit.

Dr. Lovász's contributions to society

Besides teaching at the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, Dr. Lovász is making outstanding leadership contributions to the development of mathematics as President of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), and by encouraging young researchers around the world. He is also the first mathematician to have chaired the selection committees of both the Fields Medal and the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize*2.
Mathematics has found indispensable applications in wide-ranging fields. By taking a mathematical approach to problems in biology, medical science, sociology, and many other fields, Dr. Lovász has attempted to create an interdisciplinary bridge. Through such initiatives, his goal is to make better use of mathematics for the improvement of our lives.

For more details, see the Achievements.

*1 Paul Erdős: A Hungarian mathematician (1913-1996) who published some 1,500 papers throughout his lifetime (many of which are co-authored). Known for his ability to provide clear explanations to extremely difficult mathematical problems.
*2 Rolf Nevanlinna Prize: A prize awarded to researchers once every four years at the International Congress of Mathematicians for outstanding contributions to the mathematical aspects of computer science. Like the Fields Medal, only those under the age of forty are eligible.