# Craig Gentry

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q19597281](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19597281)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Gentry_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/craig-gentry

## Summary
Craig Gentry is an American computer scientist and cryptologist best known for his groundbreaking work in fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), which enables computations on encrypted data without decryption. His 2009 dissertation introduced the first practical FHE scheme, revolutionizing secure computation. He holds degrees from Stanford, Duke, and Harvard Law School, and has been recognized with awards including the Gödel Prize (2022) and the MacArthur Fellowship (2014).

## Biography
- Born: 1972
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Stanford University
  - Duke University
  - Harvard Law School
- Known for: Pioneering fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) and advancing cryptographic techniques.
- Employer(s):
  - IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (2009–2019)
- Field(s): Cryptography, homomorphic encryption
- Residence: New York City

## Contributions
Craig Gentry’s most significant contribution is the development of fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) in his 2009 dissertation, "A Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme." This breakthrough allows arbitrary computations to be performed on encrypted data, preserving privacy while enabling secure computation. His work laid the foundation for practical applications in cloud computing, secure data analysis, and privacy-preserving technologies. Gentry’s FHE scheme, based on ideal lattices, demonstrated that encryption could support complex operations without decryption, a major advancement in cryptography. His research has influenced subsequent developments in secure computation and privacy-enhancing technologies.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Craig Gentry famous for?
A: Craig Gentry is famous for inventing fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), a cryptographic technique that enables computations on encrypted data without decryption. His 2009 dissertation introduced the first practical FHE scheme, revolutionizing secure computation.

### Q: Where did Craig Gentry work?
A: Craig Gentry worked at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center from 2009 to 2019. He earned degrees from Stanford, Duke, and Harvard Law School.

### Q: What awards has Craig Gentry received?
A: Craig Gentry has received multiple awards, including the Gödel Prize (2022), MacArthur Fellowship (2014), Grace Murray Hopper Award (2010), and ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award (2009).

### Q: What is fully homomorphic encryption?
A: Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) is a cryptographic method that allows computations to be performed on encrypted data, producing encrypted results. Gentry’s 2009 work was the first practical FHE scheme, enabling secure computation without decryption.

### Q: Who was Craig Gentry’s doctoral advisor?
A: Craig Gentry’s doctoral advisor was Dan Boneh, an Israeli cryptographer and computer scientist.

## Why They Matter
Craig Gentry’s invention of fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) has had a profound impact on cryptography and secure computation. His work enables secure data processing in cloud computing, medical research, and financial systems, where privacy is critical. Before Gentry’s breakthrough, encrypted data could only be processed after decryption, limiting its utility. His FHE scheme removed this limitation, allowing computations to be performed directly on encrypted data. This innovation has inspired further research in privacy-preserving technologies and influenced the development of secure multi-party computation. Gentry’s contributions have shaped the future of cryptographic techniques, making secure computation more practical and widely applicable.

## Notable For
- Invented the first practical fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme in 2009, enabling computations on encrypted data.
- Recipient of the Gödel Prize (2022) and MacArthur Fellowship (2014) for groundbreaking contributions to cryptography.
- Published the landmark dissertation "A Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme," which laid the foundation for secure computation.
- Worked at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (2009–2019), advancing cryptographic research.
- Advisor to Dan Boneh, a prominent cryptographer and computer scientist.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Craig Gentry was born in 1972. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his Ph.D. from Stanford University under the supervision of Dan Boneh. He also attended Harvard Law School.

### Fully Homomorphic Encryption
In 2009, Gentry published his doctoral dissertation, "A Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme," which introduced the first practical fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme. This breakthrough allowed computations to be performed on encrypted data without decryption, revolutionizing secure computation. His work was recognized with the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2009.

### Career and Research
Gentry worked at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center from 2009 to 2019, where he continued his research in cryptography. His work on FHE has influenced subsequent developments in secure computation and privacy-preserving technologies.

### Awards and Recognition
Craig Gentry has received numerous awards, including the Gödel Prize (2022), MacArthur Fellowship (2014), Grace Murray Hopper Award (2010), and IACR Fellow (2021). His contributions have been widely recognized in the field of cryptography.

### Legacy
Gentry’s invention of FHE has had a lasting impact on cryptography, enabling secure data processing in various applications. His work continues to inspire research in privacy-preserving technologies and secure computation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.macfound.org/fellows/914/)
2. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/gentry_7120861#145)
3. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/gentry_7120861#146)
4. [Source](https://www.iacr.org/fellows/2021/gentry.html)
5. [List of previous Putnam winners](https://www.maa.org/sites/default/files/List%20of%20previous%20Putnam%20winners.pdf)
6. [Source](https://sigact.org/prizes/g%C3%B6del.html)
7. Mathematics Genealogy Project