HONG KONG. May 14 2018 - The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences 2018 is awarded to Luis A Caffarelli, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin, USA for his groundbreaking work on partial differential equations, including creating a theory of regularity for nonlinear equations such as the Monge–Ampère equation, and free-boundary problems such as the obstacle problem, work that has influenced a whole generation of researchers in the field. Partial differential equations are fundamental to large parts of mathematics, physics, and indeed all the sciences. They are used to model heat flow, fluid motion, electromagnetic waves, quantum mechanics, the shape of soap bubbles, and innumerable other physical phenomena.

Caffarelli serves on the Fields Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), and provides scientific leadership at Fields Institute. The SAP, which is chaired by the Director, includes the Deputy Director and a rotating membership of at least seven distinguished mathematicians from Canada and abroad. The Panel meets twice a year (Spring and Fall) and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on the selection of thematic and focus programs, workshops and conference, summer schools, and special lecture series.