Alan Reid, the Edgar Odell Lovett Professor of Mathematics and mathematics department chair at Rice University, has been elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy of Science and Letters. The prestigious accolade bestowed annually celebrates individuals who have achieved exceptional international standing in fields within the society’s domain.
Reid, whose research focuses on hyperbolic manifolds, discrete groups and low-dimensional topology with a keen interest in connections to number theory, is originally from Scotland. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1984 and a Ph.D. in 1988 from the University of Aberdeen.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Royal Society of Edinburgh,” Reid said. “Obviously, I have a longstanding connection to Scotland.”
Reid’s election as a corresponding fellow, a distinction reserved for honorees from outside the United Kingdom, places him among a select group of 57 fellows chosen from the United Kingdom and various nations worldwide, including the United States, Netherlands, Germany and China.
The selection process for RSE fellows is rigorous, involving a comprehensive assessment of candidates’ accomplishments, professional reputation and societal impact. Nomination by an existing fellow, supported by two others, is a prerequisite for consideration.
The RSE fellows represent a diverse array of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, informatics, literature, law, social sciences and business.
These distinguished individuals volunteer their expertise to advance the RSE’s mission of utilizing knowledge for the public good, thereby contributing to the cultural, economic and social advancement of Scotland and beyond.
The RSE’s rich history includes past fellows such as Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Melvin Calvin and Benjamin Franklin. Reid will join the illustrious group in June at a ceremony held at the RSE Academy in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“It’s a well-established and venerable society, and many famous scientists and other leading intellectuals have been elected fellows of the RSE,” Reid said. “That makes me feel pretty good.”