A curious nature and the explanatory power of maths have added up to a major accolade for Emeritus Professor George Willis.
The University of Newcastle (UoN) academic was this week awarded the coveted Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal by the Australian Academy of Science.
It’s a prestigious career honorific for lifelong achievement in the fields of mathematics or physics.
Through his invention of “the scale” and its function, Professor Willis gave an entirely new insight into the unexpected structure and classification of totally disconnected locally compact groups, a previously mysterious area.
This novel approach, now known as Willis Theory, has broad implications for mathematics, with his work progressing understanding of symmetry and networks.
“Although it brings its own intrinsic satisfaction, such external recognition is gratifying and helps me to feel that I have justified the faith and encouragement shown to me by family and mentors over the years,” he said.
“Mathematics has been created by innumerable people over thousands of years.
“So, it’s exciting to make my own contribution and follow in their footsteps.
“It’s a universal language.
“Mathematics is a way of communicating ideas, concepts and images in your mind.”
Professor Willis was elected as Fellow to the Australian Academy of Science in 2014, an achievement in itself and the most senior praise a scientist can receive in Australia.
He is among 22 scientists from across the country recognised today by the academy in its annual Honorific Awards, which celebrate the achievements of leading minds and emerging scientific stars working to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.
Professor Willis expressed his gratitude to his family, mentors, colleagues and collaborators.
“I’d like to thank my cohorts at the UoN and other universities, the Australian mathematical community and my partners both in Australia and internationally for the parts they have played in making my research career enjoyable and productive,” he said.
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor research and innovation Professor Zee Upton congratulated Professor Willis on the deserved recognition from Australia’s pre-eminent scientific body.
“He’s created a remarkable legacy of innovative academic research since joining the uni in 1992,” she explained.
“His impressive research extends beyond theory and has the potential to contribute to growing industries in computer and information science.
“Our university, now in its 60th year, has a longstanding commitment to fostering and inspiring excellence in our people.
“We are very proud of Professor Willis and his contributions to the field of mathematics.”
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