One of the UK’s leading scientists has joined the University of Aberdeen. Professor JMT Thompson FRS has taken up a part-time chair in Engineering under the institution’s highly successful international recruitment campaign.
Michael Thompson has been appointed as part of the Sixth Century academic recruitment programme and will be strengthening the research base within the School of Engineering, part of the College of Physical Sciences.
He is currently Emeritus Professor of Nonlinear Dynamics at University College London and an Honorary Fellow at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) of Cambridge University. His scientific interests include nonlinear dynamics and their applications.
Speaking on his new appointment, Professor Thompson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the new Centre for Applied Dynamics Research at the University of Aberdeen, which is thrusting forward into exciting new fields of application. It is no surprise that I read today that Aberdeen has topped the Guardian's 'University Guide' for the field of general engineering.
“The University of Aberdeen, with its world-class research in nonlinear dynamics is going to be a perfect research base for me. I am looking forward to a productive two–way relationship on joining this dynamic and forward-looking College.”
Professor Thompson, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Aberdeen in 2004, has made outstanding contributions to several areas of applied mathematics, including the theory of elastic stability and nonlinear dynamics. His work on the resonance of off–shore structures, and the capsize of ships in ocean waves has been particularly important for marine engineering. He has been heavily involved in building the international recognition and strength of UK nonlinear mechanics for over four decades.
Professor Marian Wiercigroch, Head of the Department of Engineering, is delighted at Professor Thompson’s appointment to the University of Aberdeen. He said: "This appointment continues to show that the University is attracting exceptional staff of the highest quality. Professor Thompson will be a great asset to the Engineering team and will strengthen the research base within the Department.
“His connections with the University of Cambridge and University College London will bring collaborative partnerships and will help to build bridges between the three institutions. I am looking forward to continuing a fruitful collaboration with Professor Thompson, which I am certain will have enormous benefits to us.”
"As Editor of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society he has encouraged young scientists to give their visions of the future in a continuing series of special issues and books. He has also increased the public awareness of catastrophe and chaos theory on radio and television."
Born in Cottingham, Yorks, Michael Thompson studied at Cambridge where he graduated with first class honours in Mechanical Sciences in 1958, and obtained his PhD in 1962. He was a Fulbright researcher in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, and joined University College London in 1964. He has published four books on stability theory and was appointed Professor at UCL in 1977. Michael was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1985, and was awarded the Ewing Medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He held a Senior Fellowship awarded by the Science and Engineering Research Council from 1988 to 1993. He served on the Councils of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the Royal Society. In 1991 he was appointed Director of the Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics at UCL.
Professor Thompson is active in promoting a greater understanding of science and mathematics among the general public. In 2004, he was awarded a Gold Medal by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications at their 40th Anniversary Meeting for his lifetime contributions to mathematics.