A Polish mathematician has won the distinguished 2026 Balakrishnan Award for Excellence in Scientific Research from the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California
Irena Lasiecka was selected unanimously for her contributions to the applications of partial differential equations in control theory.
“Her research has significantly advanced the theoretical foundations and practical implementation of systems control, influencing disciplines across engineering and applied mathematics”, the University of Memphis said.
The award recognises outstanding achievements in mathematics, including control theory, communications, mechanics and applied mathematics.
Established in memory of researcher A.V. Balakrishnan, it is regarded as one of the field’s most distinguished honours.
The award includes a $10,000 prize and an invitation to deliver a distinguished lecture at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering in fall 2026.
Lasiecka specialises in control theory, differential equations and applied mathematics. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Warsaw and later completed a doctorate in applied mathematics. She received the title of professor in 2012.
She began her academic career at the Systems Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences before moving to universities in the United States. She currently works at the University of Memphis.
Lasiecka is the author of numerous scientific publications and has received several major distinctions. In 2011, she became the first woman to receive the W.T. and Idalia Reid Prize, and in 2019 she was also the first woman awarded the Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award. She also received the Hugo Steinhaus Grand Prize in 2021.
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