N’GUÉRÉKATA Award for Excellence in Mathematics

Professor Gaston Mandata N'guérékata is distinguished professor of mathematics at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He received his college education at the University of Montreal in Canada. After his Ph.D. earned in 1980 under the supervision of Professor Samuel D. Zaidman, he then went to the University of California at Berkeley as a Fulbright scholar. Native of the Central African Republic, he is the first Ph.D. in Science recipient of his country. He occupied the position of first Vice Rector of the University of Bangui at the age of 28, then rose to higher administration and political positions as High Commissioner, Vice Minister (Secretaire d’état) for Scientific and Technical Research, and Special advisor to the Head of State with ministerial rank.

 Embarked on a mathematical journey with a luminous PhD, Gaston M. N'Guérékata, affectionately known as the “Godfather of almost automorphy” or simply as “Professor almost” is now a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Morgan State University. His influence extends far beyond the academic realm, with his groundbreaking contributions in almost automorphy widely regarded as the bedrock of this mathematical discipline. With an illustrious career marked by accolades, he stands as an Elected Fellow of prestigious institutions, including the American Mathematical Society (AMS), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), African Academy of Sciences (AAS), and Pan African Scientific Research Council (PASRC).

Dr. N’Guérékata’s diverse research portfolio encompasses the asymptotic behavior of evolution equations, abstract harmonic analysis, and fractional differential equations. Dr. N’Guérékata’s literary footprint is equally impressive, with over 300 publications to his name, including 14 esteemed graduate and research-level books published by renowned houses such as Springer, World Scientific, and Nova Science. His books on almost automorphy are cornerstones in the area. His role extends to the editorial boards of more than 21 international peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. N’Guérékata’s international impact is underscored by a litany of awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honor, the Memento of Honor at the 106^th Indian Science Congress, the NAFEO Noble Award, the Dr. Iva G. Jones Medallion, the Dr. Sandye Jean McIntyre, II International Award, and the A.B. Roy Lifetime Achievement Award for the development of mathematics worldwide from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India (2023). A captivating orator on mathematical subjects, Dr. N’Guérékata has graced prestigious platforms worldwide, including the Claytor-Woodard Lecture (2006), NAM-MathFest Keynote (2011), International Conference on Dynamical Systems in Kolkata, India (2012), Joaquim Bustoz Jr. Lecture at the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM), UCLA (2014), 106^th Indian Science Congress (2019), and the American Mathematical Society Invited Address at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM 2022) also featured on Youtube. His keynote addresses have resonated across the globe, from France and China to India, Morocco, Brazil, Vietnam, Guadeloupe, Cameroon, Canada, Vietnam, and the United States.

Dr. N’Guérékata initiated a Ph.D. program in mathematics at Morgan State University in 2009, a Historical Black University in the US, and at the University of Bangui with the first graduates in 2017 and 2019 under his supervision. He mentored several African Mathematicians on the continent and in the diaspora. His commitment to the development of Mathematics in Africans is evidenced by his several lectures and visits at African institutions, including Cheik Anta Diop University, University of the Free State, Ki-Zerbo University, Cadi Ayyad University, University of Bangui, Marien Ngouabi University, University of Buea, and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Cameroon).

MathSciNet, a leading mathematics indexing and abstracting database, offers abstracts from over 3100 mathematical journals and thousands of books, conference proceedings, theses, and technical reports. It also includes the content of the American Mathematical Society's Mathematical Reviews, written by experts in the article's mathematical content. The database includes papers dating back to the 1940s. Prof. Gaston Mandata Nguérékata is identified as one of the most impactful Black African Mathematicians, with 259 publications and 2910 citations.

Eligibility

The N’GUÉRÉKATA Award for Excellence in Mathematics: It is given to an outstanding mathematical work carried out by a scientist working and living in Africa or to an African scientist working out of Africa. The award can be given for work in pure and applied mathematics.

The award is given every two years and consists of $3,000 and a certificate.

The award recognizes outstanding mathematical work (pure, applied, probability, statistics) by a scientist working and living in Africa or to an African scientist working out of Africa.

Self-nominations and nominations from jury members will not be considered.

Selection

Selection is made on scientific merit. First, the nomination dossiers of qualified candidates are submitted to jury members for their evaluation.

How to nominate a scientist

The 2024 nominations can only be submitted electronically through the online platform by clicking on the NEW NOMINATION: The nomination is submitted to the jury of the N’GUÉRÉKATA Award for Excellence in Mathematics.

• To resume working on saved nominations, click on the RESUME button at the bottom of this page.
• The deadline for receiving nominations is September 20, 2024. It is strongly recommended, however, not to wait and to submit nominations as early as possible.
• Before starting to compile the nomination, please pay attention to the maximum number of characters allocated.
• A nomination is considered complete when it includes all of the following information and materials:

Nominators contact details

1)        Nominee (the candidate) contact details and general information on the nominee, including the country where he/she has been working and living in the previous two years.

2)        Suggested quote (15-20 words highlighting the nominee's scientific achievements in mathematical sciences)

3)        Supporting statement regarding the nominee's contribution. Supporting statements should explain in detail the work performed by the candidate and its meaning in the relevant context. Clear reference should be made to the scientific impact of the nominee's work. Vague supporting statements will not be considered and will negatively affect the evaluation.

4)        Clear and detailed account of any time spent abroad by the nominee in the previous two years.

5)        Information on the PhD subject area, year and awarding institution.

6)        Brief information on membership in academies and societies

7)        Brief information on awards and honours received

8)        List of 10 most significant publications listed in an internationally acceptable format.

9)        Nominee's brief CV and her/his complete list of publications are also to be uploaded, separately, onto the online platform.

10)     Brief information on graduation of Master and PhD students from Africa.

Links for Award

The application form for researchers who want to be a candidate for the award is given at the link below:

https://form.jotform.com/240581561748967

The form to nominate researcher for the award is available at the link below:

https://www.jotform.com/app/240581803500952

Members of the Jury

1. Professor Jerome Goldstein, University of Memphis, USA

2. Professor Enrique Zuazua, Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg,Germany

3. Professor Joel Blot,  University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France

4. Professor Ti-Jun Xiao, Fudan University, China 

5. Professor Nguyen Van Min chairman of the Math department at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, USA