Young Researcher Award

Associate Professor ZHU Chengbo

Department of Mathematics

Assoc Prof Zhu is honoured with the Young Researcher Award for his research in local theta correspondence and its applications to various topics of representation theory.

Assoc Prof Zhu's forte lies in his propensity to reduce complexity to simplicity. His fuss-free approach to enquiry defines him as a researcher. What drives him is the anticipation of any insight his research might offer; and what matters most to him is the attempt. His job satisfaction comes from making the effort.

In this unassuming manner, Assoc Prof Zhu has made several elegant discoveries in the science of mathematics. He has unraveled the theory of what is commonly called reductive dual pairs by expanding Herman Weyl's classic theorem based on the study of invariant polynomials to one based on invariant distributions.

Assoc Prof Zhu's other significant (joint) works include the discovery of a precise and intricate relationship between certain types of representations of symplectic patterns and orthogonal groups of all signatures. The identification has powerful applications in the theory of automorphic forms, one of the most difficult and intellectually challenging areas in modern mathematics. He has also contributed to the fundamental understanding of the unitary dual in representation theory through his construction of a large class of small unitary representations for classical groups.

For someone who so tremendously enjoys what he does, recognition from his peers in NUS is a bonus that is much appreciated. However, Assoc Prof Zhu will not pause to bask in the afterglow of this praise. He will carry on as he always has, doing what he delights in and does best, that is, never ceasing to question and probe.