# Ankur Moitra

> mathematician; Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011

**Wikidata**: [Q102385323](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102385323)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ankur-moitra

## Summary
Ankur Moitra is an American mathematician and computer scientist currently serving as a university teacher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is recognized for his academic contributions to the intersection of mathematics and computer science, earning a prestigious Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering in 2016. Moitra received his Ph.D. from MIT in 2011 under the supervision of F. Thomson Leighton.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 23, 1985
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:**
    - Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2011)
    - Cornell University (Undergraduate/Previous Education)
- **Known for:** Research at the intersection of mathematics and computer science; university teaching.
- **Employer(s):** Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- **Field(s):** Mathematics, Computer Science

## Contributions
Ankur Moitra has established a significant academic career rooted in the fields of mathematics and computer science. Following the completion of his Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011, he has contributed to the academic community through research and instruction.

His role as a doctoral advisor highlights his contribution to the development of future scholars. He has supervised notable doctoral students, including Alexander Spence Wein and Jerry Li. His research and academic standing were solidified through the receipt of the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering in 2016, a mark of distinction for early-career scientists.

Additionally, his academic lineage connects to prominent figures in the field; he conducted his doctoral research under the guidance of F. Thomson Leighton, the CEO of Akamai and a renowned mathematician. Moitra maintains a professional digital presence through his academic website and various scholarly indexes, including Google Scholar, DBLP, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project.

## FAQs

### Q: Where did Ankur Moitra receive his education?
A: Ankur Moitra received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011. He also attended Cornell University.

### Q: Who was Ankur Moitra's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was F. Thomson Leighton, an American mathematician, business executive, and CEO of Akamai.

### Q: What notable award did Ankur Moitra receive in 2016?
A: In 2016, Ankur Moitra received the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering.

### Q: What is Ankur Moitra's current academic affiliation?
A: He is currently employed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a university teacher.

## Why They Matter
Ankur Moitra represents a vital link in the chain of academic excellence within the American mathematical and computer science communities. His work matters not only for the specific research that merited the Packard Fellowship but also for his role in mentorship at a top-tier research institution. By training the next generation of thinkers, such as his doctoral students Jerry Li and Alexander Spence Wein, he ensures the continued advancement of his field. His position at MIT and his connection to industry leaders like F. Thomson Leighton bridge the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical computer science applications.

## Notable For
- Receiving the **Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering** in 2016.
- Earning a **Ph.D. from MIT** in 2011.
- Serving as the **doctoral advisor** to students Alexander Spence Wein and Jerry Li.
- Being advised by **F. Thomson Leighton**, a prominent figure in mathematics and industry.
- Holding a faculty position at the **Massachusetts Institute of Technology**.

## Body

### Academic Background and Education
Ankur Moitra was born on December 23, 1985, in the United States. He pursued his higher education at two major institutions: Cornell University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He successfully defended his dissertation and obtained his Ph.D. from MIT in 2011.

### Professional Career
Moitra is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is employed as a university teacher. His professional identity spans both mathematics and computer science. He maintains an active academic profile, evidenced by his extensive identifiers across scholarly databases:
- **ISNI:** 000000047392444X
- **DBLP Author ID:** 04/952
- **Google Scholar ID:** umFQktIAAAAJ
- **Mathematics Genealogy Project ID:** 155968
- **MR Author ID:** 902567

### Mentorship and Academic Lineage
Moitra’s academic lineage places him within a network of significant scholars. He completed his doctorate under the supervision of **F. Thomson Leighton**, who is recognized not only as an academic but also as the CEO of Akamai Technologies. In his own capacity as a mentor, Moitra has advised doctoral candidates including **Alexander Spence Wein** and **Jerry Li**.

### Recognition
In 2016, Moitra was awarded the **Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering**, a prestigious grant awarded to early-career scientists and engineers who show exceptional promise.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://people.csail.mit.edu/moitra/docs/CV.pdf)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. [Source](https://math.mit.edu/directory/profile.php?pid=1502)
5. [Source](https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/science/packard-fellowships-for-science-and-engineering/fellowship-directory/ankur-moitra/)
6. [Source](https://jerryzli.github.io/)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Library of Congress Name Authority File