Faculty Honors & Awards

The Department of Mathematics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is home to several distinguished faculty and leading researchers in their respective fields. Among our faculty we have over twenty AMS Fellows, eleven Simons Fellows, nine Sloan Fellows, and six recipients of the NSF CAREER Award. If you are a faculty member and would like to report an award, please fill out the Faculty Award Reporting Form.

See Departmental Awards for awards granted by the Department of Mathematics and Teaching Awards for faculty and graduate students recognized by the university for exemplary teaching of undergraduate and graduate students.

International Congress of Mathematicians

The International Mathematics Union (IMU) is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization, with the purpose of promoting international cooperation in mathematics. Every four years, it hosts the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), the largest mathematics conference globally.

  • József Balogh, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 2018
  • Philippe Di Francesco*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 2018
  • Lou van den Dries*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 2018
  • Rinat Kedem*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 2014
  • Charles Rezk, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 2014
  • Sergei Ivanov, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 1998
  • Zoltán Füredi*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 1994
  • Anand Pillay*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 1994
  • Lou van den Dries*, Invited Speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), 1990

American Mathematical Society (AMS)

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) is a "society of mathematics students and professionals dedicated to advancing research, supporting learning and careers, and building our mathematical community." With over 27,000 members across 125 countries, it is one of the most prominent mathematics organizations. Each year the association recognizes a class of AMS Fellows who "have made outstanding contributions to the creation, exposition, advancement, communication, and utilization of mathematics" along with selecting a number of individual researchers for other awards and specialized fellowships and inviting distinguished faculty to speak at conferences.

AMS Fellows

  • Vesna Stojanoska, 2026
  • József Balogh, 2023
  • Jang-Mei Wu*, 2020
  • Sergei Ivanov, 2019
  • Steve Bradlow*, 2018
  • Rui Loja Fernandes, 2017
  • Marius Junge, 2017
  • Alexandru Zaharescu, 2017
  • Carl Jockusch*, 2015
  • Charles Rezk, 2015
  • Stephanie Alexander*, 2014
  • John D'Angelo*, 2014
  • Bruce Berndt*, 2013
  • Richard Bishop*, 2013
  • Harold Diamond*, 2013
  • Nathan Dunfield, 2013
  • Kevin Ford, 2013
  • Robert Fossum*, 2013
  • IIya Kapovich, 2013
  • Sheldon Katz, 2013
  • Anand Pillay*, 2013
  • Bruce Reznick*, 2013
  • Paul Schupp*, 2013
  • Philippe Tondeur*, 2013
  • Jeremy Tyson, 2013

Speakers at an Invited Plenary Hour Address

  • Nathan Dunfield, AMS Central Sectional, 2019
  • Charles Rezk, AMS Central Sectional, 2016
  • Vera Hur, AMS Central Sectional, 2015
  • Kevin Ford, AMS Central Section, 2011
  • Zoltán Füredi*, Joint Meeting of the AMS and the South African Math Society (Port Elizabeth, Republic of South Africa), 2011
  • Jeremy Tyson, AMS Southeastern Section, 2011
  • Bruce Reznick*, AMS Southeastern Sectional, 2010
  • Nathan Dunfield, AMS Southeastern Sectional, 2009
  • Philippe Di Francesco*, AMS Southeastern Sectional Meeting, 1998
  • Sheldon Katz, AMS Central Sectional, 1998
  • Jang-Mei Wu*, AMS Central Sectional, 1990
  • Harold Diamond*, Invited Speaker, 1981
  • Robert Fossum*, AMS Central Section, 1980
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Invited Speaker, 1976

Other AMS Honors

National Science Foundation (NSF)

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program under the NSF grants its most prestigious award, the NSF CAREER Award, to early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.

  • Felix Leditzky, NSF CAREER Award, 2025
  • Felix Janda, NSF CAREER Award, 2024
  • Vera Hur, NSF CAREER Award, 2014
  • Kay Kirkpatrick, NSF CAREER Award, 2013
  • József Balogh, NSF CAREER Award, 2008
  • Scott Ahlgren, NSF CAREER Award, 2002
  • Igor Mineyev, NSF CAREER Award, 2002

Sloan Fellowships

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is an American nonprofit organization whose mission is "to improve the welfare of all through the advancement of scientific knowledge." Established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan Jr., the foundation makes grants in support of original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The Sloan Fellowships are a prestigious award granted to "early-career researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders."

  • Ben Castle, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 2026
  • Vera Mikyoung Hur, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 2012
  • Nathan Dunfield, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 2004
  • Jared Bronski, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 2001
  • Susan Tolman, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1998
  • Randy McCarthy*, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1996
  • Sergei Ivanov, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1995
  • Aimo Hinkkanen, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1991
  • A.J. Hildebrand*, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1988
  • Bruce Reznick*, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 1983

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

The American Association for the Advancement of Sciences is an international nonprofit based in the United States whose mission is to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all." Established in 1848, AAAS continues to support its mission through fellowships, committees, and awards.

  • Robert Fossum*, Fellow, 2002

Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is the world’s largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts whose mission is "to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on our world."

Simons Foundation

Founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the Simons Foundation is an American private foundation whose mission is "to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences" through research grants and public engagement. The Simons Fellows Program is a prestigious fellowship that grants faculty up to a semester-long research leave from classroom teaching and administrative obligations.

  • Kevin Ford, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2025
  • József Balogh, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2024
  • Yuliy Baryshnikov, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2024
  • Vesna Stojanoska, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2022
  • Nathan Dunfield, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2020
  • Philippe Di Francesco*, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2019
  • Rinat Kedem*, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2019
  • Xiaochun Li, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2019
  • Rui Loja Fernandes, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2018
  • Kay Kirkpatrick, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2017
  • Vera Hur, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2016
  • József Balogh, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2013
  • Jared Bronski, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2012
  • Nathan Dunfield, Simons Foundation Fellow, 2012

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) is an international community of over 14,000 individual members whose mission is "to build cooperation between mathematics and the worlds of science and technology." Established in 1952, SIAM continues its mission through student chapters, conferences, journals, prizes, and awards programs.

  • József Balogh, George Pólya Prize in Combinatorics, 2016
  • Jared Bronski, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker at SIAM Conference on Nonlinear Waves and Coherent Structures, 2012
  • Philippe Tondeur*, SIAM Prize for Distinguished Service to the Profession, 2008
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Public Service Award, 2002

Association for Symbolic Logic (ASL)

The Association for Symbolic Logic (ASL) is an international organization of logicians whose mission is to support research and critical studies in logic. Established in 1936, the ASL is known for publishing the Journal of Symbolic Logic and hosting the Gödel Lecture Series.

  • Ben Castle, Invited Plenary Hour Address at ASL North American Annual Meeting, 2026
  • Lou van den Dries*, Karp Prize, 2018
  • Lou van den Dries*, Shoenfield Prize, 2018
  • Anand Pillay*, Invited Plenary Hour Address at ASL Winter Meeting (San Antonio), 2015
  • C. Ward Henson*, Shoenfield Prize, 2013
  • Anand Pillay*, Invited Plenary Hour Address at Gödel Lecture Series (Barcelona), 2011
  • C. Ward Henson*, Secretary-Treasurer, 1982-01

Other Faculty Honors & Awards

Awards & Prizes

Fellowships, Memberships, and Service

  • József Balogh, Foreign Member of the Hungarian Academy of Science, 2025
  • Sheldon Katz, Member-at-Large of the Section on Mathematics, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2012-16;  2024-25
  • Alexandru Zaharescu, Foreign honorary member of the Romanian Academy, Romanian Academy, 2024
  • Philippe Di Francesco*, Member Scientific Advisory Committee, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, 2014-Present
  • Douglas B. West*, 1000 Talent Program of the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs of the Central Government of China, Central Government of China, 2012-15
  • Robert Fossum*, AAAS Nominating Committee, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2009-12
  • Aimo Hinkkanen, Foreign  Member, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, 2005
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Chair, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), 2005
  • Zoltán Füredi*, Member, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2004
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Member of Board of Governors, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), 2003-05
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Member of National Advisory Committee, Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI), 2003-05
  • Richard Laugesen, Maclaurin Fellow, New Zealand Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, 2003
  • Robert Fossum*, Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2002
  • Bruce Berndt*, Guggenheim Fellowship, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, 1998
  • Robert Fossum*, Foreign member of the Sciences Section, Det Kongelig Norske Videnskabers Selskab (DKNVS) (The Royal Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters), 1994
  • Lou van den Dries*, Corresponding member, Dutch Royal Academy of Sciences, 1993
  • Robert Fossum*, Fulbright Fellow, U.S.- Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange, 1967-68

Conference Speakers & Distinguished Lecture Series

  • Lou van den Dries*, Tarski Lecture (Distinguished Lecturer Series), University of California at Berkeley, 2017
  • Anand Pillay*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Korean Association for Mathematical Logic, 2016
  • Bruce Berndt*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Annual Meeting of Mathematicians (AMM), 2015
  • Anand Pillay*, Asian Logic Conference, Mumbai, Asian Logic Conference (ALC), 2015
  • Philippe Di Francesco*, Minerva Foundation Lectures (Distinguished Lecturer Series), Columbia University, 2015
  • Anand Pillay*, Tarski Lectures (Distinguished Lecturer Series), Berkeley, 2009
  • Bruce Berndt*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Australian Mathematical Society, 2005
  • Bruce Berndt*, Mahler Lecturer (Distinguished Lecturer Series), Australian Mathematical Society, 2005
  • Anand Pillay*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Canadian Mathematical Society, 2003
  • Anand Pillay*, Distinguished Lecturer Series, Southwest Center for Arithmetic Algebraic Geometry, 2003
  • Zoltán Füredi*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Canadian Mathematical Society, 1998
  • Anand Pillay*, Britton Lectures (Distinguished Lecturer Series), McMaster University, 1996
  • Bruce Berndt*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Indian Mathematical Society, 1988
  • Bruce Berndt*, Invited Plenary Hour Address Speaker, Canadian Mathematical Society, 1987
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Argonne Lecture (Distinguished Lecturer Series), Emory University, 1987

Service in Mathematics Committees and Related Organizations

  • Sheldon Katz, Member-at-Large of the Section on Mathematics, 2024-25
  • Jeremy Tyson, Program Officer (Division of Mathematical Sciences), 2021-2024
  • Richard Laugesen, Chair of SIAM Career Opportunities Committee, 2019-20
  • Nathan Dunfield, Council Member, 2017-22
  • Douglas B. West*, Chair of Discrete Mathematics Activity Group, 2014-15
  • Matthew Ando*, Council Member, 2011-14
  • Robert Fossum*, Nominating Committee, 2009-12
  • Sheldon Katz, AMS Nominating Committee, 2008-11
  • Joseph Rosenblatt*, Program Officer (Division of Mathematical Sciences), 2006-08
  • Sheldon Katz, Council Member, 2005-08
  • Phillip Griffith*, AMS Nominating Committee, 2004-06
  • Robert Fossum*, AMS Nominating Committee, 2001-04
  • Philippe Tondeur*, Director (Division of Mathematical Sciences), 1999-02
  • Douglas B. West*, Vice Chair of SIAM Activity Group on Discrete Mathematics, 1997-00
  • Robert Fossum*, Secretary, 1989-99