Honoring a Legacy, Fostering a Future
The Las Vegas Institute of Probability Theory is proud to announce the establishment of the Doob Prize, named in honor of the legendary American mathematician Joseph L. Doob, whose work in martingale theory and stochastic processes laid much of the modern foundation for our field. This annual prize will recognize a single outstanding contribution to probability theory or its applications by a researcher within seven years of receiving their Ph.D. The prize carries a monetary award of $15,000 and an invitation to deliver a plenary lecture at our Probability at the Nexus conference.
Eligibility and Nomination Process
The prize is open to researchers worldwide. The key eligibility criterion is that the nominee's Ph.D. must have been awarded in 2017 or later (for the 2024 prize). The work recognized can be a single paper, a series of closely related papers, or a software/system of major significance. Nominations can be made by any established researcher (e.g., a tenured professor or senior industry scientist). Self-nominations are not accepted.
A nomination package must include:
- A nomination letter (max 2 pages) describing the significance of the contribution.
- The candidate's current CV.
- A copy of the key publication(s) or documentation of the key contribution.
- Two supporting letters from other experts (these can be solicited by the nominator or sent independently).
All materials should be submitted electronically through our institute's portal. The selection will be made by a rotating committee of five distinguished probabilists appointed by the institute's board. The committee's decision will be final.
The Spirit of the Prize
The Doob Prize is intended to do more than just reward past achievement. Its goal is to identify and elevate rising stars, providing them with visibility and credibility at a critical stage in their careers. We seek work that is not only technically brilliant but also shows originality of thought and the potential to open new avenues of research. Contributions that bridge theory and application are particularly welcomed, in keeping with the institute's mission.
"Joseph Doob's work was characterized by deep, abstract theory that later proved to have immense practical power," said Institute Director, Dr. Arthur Finch. "With this prize, we hope to encourage that same blend of purity and purpose in the next generation. We want to celebrate the young minds who are not just solving problems, but defining the new problems we should be thinking about."
The call for nominations for the inaugural 2024 Doob Prize is now open. The deadline for submission is July 31, 2024. The winner will be notified by September 15, 2024, and formally awarded during the gala dinner at the Probability at the Nexus 2024 conference in October. We eagerly await submissions that showcase the vibrant and dynamic future of probability theory.