TORONTO, ON – May 9, 2019: Following an extensive international search, The Fields Institute is proud to announce Professor Kumar Murty as the next Director of the Institute, effective July 1, 2019. He is Professor and former Chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto.

The decision to appoint Professor Murty received unanimous approval of the Fields Institute Board of Directors. Professor Murty will lead the Institute’s continuing efforts to advance research and development of the mathematical sciences in Canada and abroad. 

Professor Murty received his doctorate from Harvard University in 1982. From 1982 to 1987 he held research positions at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Concordia University, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. In 1987, he was appointed as Associate Professor at the Downtown campus of the University of Toronto, and 1991 he was promoted to Full Professor. In 2001, he was deputed to the Mississauga campus to serve a two-year term as Associate Chair of Mathematics, and from 2004 to 2007 he served as the inaugural Chair of the newly-created Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the Mississauga campus. Twice he was Chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto Downtown campus (2008-2013 and 2014-2017).

With almost 40 years of experience in mathematical sciences at the local, national, and global level, Professor Murty’s impressive resumé outlines his mathematical accomplishments in diverse areas of analytic number theory, algebraic number theory, information security, and arithmetic algebraic geometry. He has served on the Canadian Mathematical Society Board of Directors, held vice-presidency at the Canadian Mathematical Society, and was elected Fields Institute Fellow in 2003. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and recipient of the Inventor of the Year Award at the University of Toronto and of the Coxeter-James Prize. His distinguished record is illustrated through his continued support for graduate and postdoctoral education initiatives. His dedication is also evidenced through his involvement in the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Projects and through his outstanding contributions to the successful GANITA Computational Laboratory, in addition to numerous visiting positions and special lectures.

A prominent mathematician with more than 120 published articles in leading scholarly journals and extensive involvement with external committees, Professor Murty possesses broad expertise which will enhance the Institute’s position as an international hub for research and innovation. His influence in mathematics operates in tandem with his passion for philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavours. His recent work on Smart Villages is dedicated to bringing the technological revolution to rural communities in an attempt to bridge the digital divide around the globe. 

Arvind Gupta, Chair of the Fields Board of Directors stated “Fields is excited to continue the trajectory of development of the Institute under the leadership of Kumar Murty. His mathematical contributions, passion for multi-disciplinary research, and experience in academic and public sectors are central to advancing the Institute’s mission.” Gupta added, “The Fields Institute is also indebted to Professor Ian Hambleton for his visionary leadership and for the launch of a number of very successful initiatives, such as the Fields Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling.”

Throughout his time as Director of the Institute, Professor Hambleton elevated the stature and reputation of Fields to new heights. The last four years have been a particularly fruitful and exciting time for the Institute, as he established new national and international partnerships that have created a myriad of new opportunities for mathematicians worldwide. He has also successfully spearheaded the procurement of various major grants, ensuring the Institute’s ability to continue to provide a world-class environment for mathematics research. 

The Fields Institute provides a supportive and rich environment for mathematics innovation and education. It promotes collaboration between mathematicians and those working in other disciplines such as engineering, the physical and biological sciences, medicine, economics, finance, telecommunications, and information systems. Fields is internationally renowned for strengthening collaboration, innovation, and learning in mathematics and across a broad range of disciplines, its programs attract over 4,200 participants annually from around the world. In addition, the Institute maintains a growing list of partner universities and institutions within Canada, the United States, and Europe. 

“It is an honour to be chosen as the next Director of the Fields Institute,” said Professor Murty. “I am keen to work with the Fields community, to build upon the outstanding work of Professor Ian Hambleton, and to lead the Institute driving it forward during a time of vast opportunity in mathematical and related sciences.” 

The Institute is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the National Science Foundation (US), and a growing list of partner universities, institutes, and corporations in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

For more information please contact: 

Esther Berzunza, Manager of Development and Communications
416-348-9710 x 2014