The Division of Applied Mathematics is proud to announce that two of its faculty members have been recognized in the 2026 Research.com global rankings of leading mathematics researchers. These distinctions highlight the continued international impact and scholarly excellence of the department’s faculty.
Professor George Em Karniadakis has been ranked #1 worldwide and #1 in the United States, and Professor Chi-Wang Shu has been ranked #12 globally, placing both among the most influential researchers in mathematics worldwide.
Recognition of Research Excellence
The 2026 Research.com rankings evaluate researchers in mathematics based on field-specific citation impact and scholarly productivity. The assessment draws on large-scale bibliometric data and uses a discipline-focused metric known as the D-index, which considers only mathematics-related publications and citations.
To be included in the ranking, researchers must demonstrate sustained scholarly contribution, including a minimum level of impact within the field. This approach is designed to highlight individuals whose work has significantly influenced the direction of mathematical research.
Professor George Em Karniadakis: Ranked #1 Globally
Professor Karniadakis has been recognized as the top-ranked mathematician in the world and in the United States in the 2026 edition of the ranking. He also received the Research.com Mathematics in United States Leader Award.
His placement reflects outstanding disciplinary impact across mathematics and closely related fields, including computational science and applied physics. His research continues to be widely cited and integrated into work across multiple areas of science and engineering.
Professor Chi-Wang Shu: Ranked #12 Worldwide
Professor Shu has been ranked #12 globally, placing him among the highest-ranked mathematicians in this year’s report.
His work in numerical methods and computational mathematics has had a lasting influence on both theoretical development and practical applications, and continues to be widely recognized within the international research community.
Strength of the Department’s Research Community
These achievements reflect the department’s strong and growing presence in global mathematical research. With multiple faculty members consistently appearing among the world’s most highly ranked scholars, the department remains a key contributor to advances in mathematical theory, computation, and interdisciplinary applications.
The 2026 rankings also reflect broader global trends in mathematics research, with leading contributions coming from major universities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Within this competitive international landscape, the department continues to maintain a strong position through sustained research excellence.
About the Ranking
The Research.com ranking system is based on discipline-specific bibliometric indicators designed to measure research influence within mathematics. The D-index used in the assessment focuses exclusively on mathematics-related output, ensuring that rankings reflect contributions within the field itself rather than across all disciplines.
The full rankings and additional information about methodology can be found on Research.com: