Karen Uhlenbeck
Professor Karen Uhlenbeck has become the first woman to win the Abel Prize for her role in mathematics. A detailed view of the blackboard with theoretical physics equations in chalk by Alberto Ramos, Theoretical Physics Fellow and visitor, Antonio Gonzalez-Arroyo from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (both not in frame) at The European Organization for Nuclear Research commonly know as CERN on April 19, 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Karen Uhlenbeck is the first woman to receive the highest honors in mathematics with the Abel Prize. Uhlenbeck is a professor at University of Texas-Austin, as well as a senior research scholar in mathematics at Princeton, that received the award for her “geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.”

The Abel Prize was established in 2003 and honors recipients that contribute to the field of mathematics that show “extraordinary depth and influence.” The award comes with a $700,000 prize, and it’s considered the most prestigious award in the field.

Uhlenbeck has received numerous honors during her career as a mathematician. She was the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received the National Medal of Science in 2000. She was honored again in 2007 for her gauge theory work with the Leroy P. Steele Prize. She also became a fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2012.

She also holds several roles at the Institute for Advanced Study as well as serving as a Sid W. Richardson Regents Chairholder at the University of Texas-Auston.

Uhlenbeck has been a strong supporter of women in mathematics and co-founded the Program for Women and Mathematics at Princeton and the Institute for Advanced Study in 1994. The program offers intensive summer classes for women from around the country.

“I am aware of the fact that I am a role model for young women in mathematics,” Uhlenbeck said. “It’s hard to be a role model, however, because what you really need to do is show students how imperfect people can be and still succeed. … I may be a wonderful mathematician and famous because of it, but I’m also very human.”

Born in Cleveland, Uhlenbeck grew up in New Jersey and earned her Ph.D. from Brandeis University. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and has an honorary degree from Princeton.

Uhlenbeck will receive the Abel Prize at the University of Aula in Oslo on May 21. It will be given to her by His Majesty King Harald V. Uhlenbeck is the fifth recent recipient of the award to have ties to Princeton.

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