Stony Brook University Distinguished Professor H. Blaine Lawson Jr., from the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the 2026 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement by the American Mathematical Society (AMS). The award is given annually to recognize significant research contributions over a recipient’s career.
Lawson is recognized for his influential work in differential geometry, topology, and analysis. His achievements include constructing compact minimal surfaces of every topological type, except for the projective plane, in the 3-sphere. He also collaborated with F. Reese Harvey on calibrated geometries, which have had significant impact on both mathematics and physics. Lawson has played a notable role as a mentor to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Scott Sutherland, chair of the Stony Brook Mathematics Department, commented on Lawson’s recognition: “I am thrilled to learn that Professor Lawson has been given this well-deserved award, recognizing his contributions to mathematics since the 1970s. For decades, he has been (and continues to be) a cornerstone of mathematical life at Stony Brook University.”
Lawson expressed gratitude for receiving the prize: “I was completely amazed and thrilled upon receiving notice of this prize and I want to express my deep and humble gratitude to the AMS. My journey in mathematics has been a wonderful personal experience: rapture, woes, absolute involvement — but most of all, the people.”
Lawson completed undergraduate degrees in Applied Mathematics and Russian Literature at Brown University before earning his PhD at Stanford University. He later held faculty positions at the University of California, Berkeley, before joining Stony Brook University. Throughout his career, he held visiting appointments at institutions such as the Institute for Advanced Study; Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques; Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada; Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences at Kyoto University; and School of Mathematics at the Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
In addition to delivering numerous invited lectures and twice speaking at the International Congress of Mathematicians, Lawson served as editor for several leading journals including Annals of Mathematics and The Journal of Differential Geometry. He was vice president of AMS and served on multiple institute boards. Lawson has advised 39 doctoral students during his career. His honors include election to major academies such as the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Brazilian Academy of Sciences; he previously won the Steele Prize for Exposition in 1975 as well as Guggenheim and Sloan Fellowships.
