Ingrid Daubechies, a respected mathematics professor at Duke University, has been awarded the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden. This honor recognizes her groundbreaking work in signal processing, which plays a vital role in modern technology.
The National Medal of Science is the highest honor given to U.S. scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. It has been awarded since 1959 to those who have made significant contributions in various scientific fields.
According to Hongkai Zhao, chair of the mathematics department, “Dr. Daubechies is a standout figure in mathematics. Her contributions have positively impacted both science and society.”
This year, Daubechies is one of 14 recipients of the National Medal of Science, adding to the 515 individuals recognized since the award’s inception. She is only the second person from Duke to receive this honor, following Robert Lefkowitz, who won in 2008 and later received a Nobel Prize.
Daubechies is known for her research in wavelet theory, which has led to advances in image compression and reconstruction. Her mathematical techniques are used in various applications, such as creating MP3 files, enhancing images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and compressing film images. Because of her impactful work, she’s often called “the godmother of the digital image.”
Cynthia Rudin, one of Daubechies’ former students, praised her for revolutionizing image storage. Before her discoveries, efficiently storing images was a major challenge. Daubechies developed methods to compress images by identifying patterns in pixels. This innovation allows images to be significantly reduced in size while still retaining enough detail to be clearly seen.
In 2023, Daubechies also received the Wolf Prize, often dubbed the “Nobel Prize of Mathematics,” making her the first woman to win this prestigious award. Her expertise extends beyond mathematics; she has applied her models in various fields such as art restoration, neurology, and even archaeology. Additionally, she helped the FBI in the 1990s with their digital fingerprint database and collaborated with geologists to study seismic activity.
“Her work benefits society in many ways,” Zhao noted.
Daubechies is not only an academic leader but also a kind and humble person. She actively supports a summer program that inspires high school students interested in math and science.
Rudin emphasized, “Ingrid is a force of nature, but she remains down-to-earth.”
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