Dr. Shen Appointed Chair

(March 24, 2009)- IUPUI School of Science Acting Dean Bart S. Ng has announced the appointment o f mathematics professor Zhongmin "James" Shen as the next chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Shen will succeed Prof. Benzion Boukai who is stepping down after 10 years of outstanding service as chair. Prof. Shen will assume the position on July 1, 2009.

"Prof. Shen's outstanding research record as a differential geometer and his significant service contributions to the U. S. mathematical community makes him an ideal leader for the department," said Ng. "I look forward to working with him to further develop Mathematical Sciences, already a very strong department, into one of distinction at the national level."

"I am very pleased to become the next chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences," said Shen. "I want to work with other units on campus to promote interdisciplinary research and to continue to strengthen the undergraduate and graduate programs in the department."

Shen received his doctorate degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1990. Before joining the IUPUI faculty in 1993, Shen held visiting appointments at the Mathematical Science Research Institute, Berkeley, and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. From 2005 to 2007, Shen took a leave of absence from IUPUI and served as Program Director for Geometric Analysis at the National Science Foundation in Washington, DC.

A highly prolific researcher, Shen is the author of four research monographs and nearly 70 papers in top journals. He is also a member of the editorial boards of several leading mathematics journals, including Differential Geometry and Its Applications. Shen is especially well known for his pioneering research in Finsler geometry. Together with his collaborator, the late C. C. Chern, Shen has played a decisive role in the revival and the explosive growth of research activities in this area during the past decade. A highly sought after speaker, he has given over 100 invited talks in many countries around the world, including Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Japan and Romania. Additionally, Shen holds honorary appointments at several leading universities in China, including the K. P. Chao professorship at Zhejiang University and a guest professorship at the University of Science and Technology.