John David Crawford
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John David Crawford | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 |
| Died | August 23, 1998 (aged 43–44) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Occupation(s) | Physicist, professor |
| Years active | 1977–1998? |
| Employer | University of Pittsburgh |
| Known for | Research in theoretical physics |
John David Crawford (1954–1998)[1] was an American physicist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh.[1] He obtained his undergraduate degree with honors from Princeton University in 1977 and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983.[1]
An internationally recognized researcher in theoretical physics, he specialized in plasma physics and nonlinear dynamics.[2] His broad physical insight and deep knowledge of mathematics enabled him to make profound contributions to dynamical systems.[2] He published more than 80 research papers and wrote a landmark review on bifurcation theory.[3] Additionally, he was also a codirector of the "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" program, which exposed undergraduates to scientific study, in 1997.[1]
Apart from his research, he was a passionate mountain climber. He died on August 23, 1998, at the Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh of Burkitt's lymphoma, a form of lymph cancer.[1]
In 2001, SIAM's Activity Group in Dynamical Systems established the J.D. Crawford Prize, which is now the world's top award in dynamical systems.[4]
