KAUST Al-Khawarzmi Distinguished Professor Peter Markowich has been elected a Foreign Member of Italy’s Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei — one of the world’s oldest and most illustrious scientific institutions. Founded in 1603, the academy once counted Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science, among its members. 

“This recognition is not only a personal honor but also an acknowledgment of the vital role applied mathematics plays in solving complex problems across science and technology,” Markowich said. “From quantum physics to artificial intelligence and biology, mathematics provides the foundation for breakthroughs that support achieving global research, development, and innovation goals and solving the tough challenges facing the world.” 

Markowich is internationally recognized for advancing applied mathematics and computational sciences. His work addresses fundamental challenges in physics, artificial intelligence, biology, and engineering. His mathematical impact extends from classical and quantum kinetic theory, highly nonlinear diffusive and dispersive partial differential equations to inverse problems and functional inequalities. 

A distinguished professor at KAUST since 2011, Markowich brings to the University a career shaped by academic appointments at the Technical University of Berlin, the University of Vienna, and the University of Cambridge. 

Central to his research is the mathematical and numerical analysis of partial differential equations and their applications across disciplines. He is the author of more than 200 publications with nearly 14,000 citations. He exemplifies the caliber of KAUST faculty whose work strengthens Saudi and global science. 

Markowich’s election to the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei reflects KAUST’s success in empowering thought leaders who advance knowledge and elevate Saudi Arabia’s global scientific presence. He said: “I am really proud to contribute to and represent applied mathematics within such a historic and respected academy.”