New Abel Prize(s)

The 2005 Abel Prize has been awarded to Peter Lax

for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory and application of partial differential equations and to the computation of their solutions

An interesting section from the long popularized explanation of his work:

Lax considers himself both a pure and an applied mathematician. His advice to young mathematicians is summarized in 'I heartily recommend that all youngmathematicians try their skill in some branch of applied mathematics. It is a gold mine of deep problems whose solutions await conceptual as well as technical breakthroughs. It displays an enormous variety, to suit every style; it gives mathematicians a chance to be part of the larger scientific and technological enterprise. Good hunting!'

I really like the fact that the Abel Prize committee supplies these popular explanations of the work of the awardees. The ACM has a detailed press release for its awardees, but a popular exposition of the work would be a great addition.

In other news, the Abel Prize Committee is funding a new prize called the Ramanujan award. From the news blurb on the Abel Prize site:

The Prize will be awarded annually to a researcher from a developing country less than 45 years of age at the time of the award, who has conducted outstanding research in a developing country. The first winner will be announced in 2005.

The award amount will be $10,000.