# Margaret H. Wright

> American computer scientist and academic

**Wikidata**: [Q16494](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16494)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_H._Wright)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/margaret-h-wright

## Summary
Margaret H. Wright is an American computer scientist and academic renowned for her contributions to numerical optimization. She has held prestigious positions at institutions like Bell Labs and New York University, and received numerous awards including the John von Neumann Prize in recognition of her work in computational mathematics.

## Biography
- Born: February 18, 1944, in Hanford
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Doctor of Philosophy from Stanford University (1976)
- Known for: Contributions to numerical optimization
- Employer(s): Sylvania Electric Products, Bell Labs, National Physical Laboratory, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, New York University, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Field(s): Computer science, mathematics, academic research

## Contributions
Margaret H. Wright has made significant contributions to numerical optimization throughout her career. She worked extensively at Bell Labs, where she developed algorithms and methodologies that advanced the field. Her doctoral advisor was Gene H. Golub, a renowned numerical analyst. Wright's research has resulted in numerous publications and has influenced computational mathematics and optimization. She received the John von Neumann Prize in 2019 for her work in numerical optimization. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on how optimization problems are solved in various scientific and industrial applications, with her work being widely cited and implemented in computational tools.

## FAQs
### Q: Who was Margaret H. Wright's doctoral advisor?
A: Margaret H. Wright was advised by Gene H. Golub, a prominent American computer scientist and numerical analyst (1932-2007). She also had another advisor named Walter Murray.

### Q: What awards has Margaret H. Wright received?
A: Margaret H. Wright has received multiple prestigious awards including the AWM/MAA Falconer Lecture (1998), the Noether Lecture (2000), Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (2009), Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2012), and the John von Neumann Prize (2019).

### Q: What institutions has Margaret H. Wright worked for?
A: Margaret H. Wright has worked for several notable institutions including Sylvania Electric Products, Bell Labs, the National Physical Laboratory, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, New York University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

### Q: What is Margaret H. Wright known for?
A: Margaret H. Wright is best known for her contributions to numerical optimization, particularly her work on algorithms and computational methods that have advanced the field and influenced scientific and industrial applications.

### Q: What is Margaret H. Wright's Erdős number?
A: Margaret H. Wright has an Erdős number of 3, indicating a chain of academic connections to the mathematician Paul Erdős.

## Why They Matter
Margaret H. Wright matters significantly in the fields of computer science and mathematics for her groundbreaking work in numerical optimization. Her algorithms and methodologies have become fundamental tools used in scientific computing, engineering, and industrial applications. As one of the few women to receive the John von Neumann Prize, she has broken barriers and inspired future generations of female mathematicians and computer scientists. Her research at institutions like Bell Labs has directly influenced computational practices worldwide, and her leadership roles in professional organizations have shaped the direction of applied mathematics and computational science. Without her contributions, optimization techniques used in modern computing would be less efficient, limiting progress in numerous fields that rely on numerical methods.

## Notable For
- Receiving the John von Neumann Prize in 2019 for her work in numerical optimization
- Being a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics since 2009
- Being a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society since 2012
- Delivering the Noether Lecture in 2000
- Serving as a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2005

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Margaret H. Wright was born on February 18, 1944, in Hanford, United States. She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy from Stanford University in 1976. Her doctoral advisors were Gene H. Golub, a prominent numerical analyst, and Walter Murray. She has an Erdős number of 3.

### Academic and Professional Career
Wright has worked for several prominent institutions throughout her career:
- Sylvania Electric Products
- Bell Labs (a major research and development company)
- National Physical Laboratory (National Measurement Institution of the United Kingdom)
- Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science
- New York University
- University of Wisconsin–Madison

At Bell Labs, she worked in Murray Hill, which is the headquarters location of the company.

### Research Contributions
Margaret H. Wright is primarily known for her contributions to numerical optimization. Her work has resulted in significant advancements in algorithms and computational methods that are widely used in various scientific and industrial applications. She has published extensively in her field.

### Recognition and Awards
Wright has received numerous recognitions for her work:
- AWM/MAA Falconer Lecture (1998)
- Noether Lecture (2000)
- Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (2009), with citation "For contributions to numerical optimization and service to the profession"
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2012-2013)
- John von Neumann Prize (2019), becoming only the 5th woman to receive this prestigious award

### Professional Memberships
Wright is a member of several prestigious organizations:
- National Academy of Sciences (since 2005)
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- National Academy of Engineering
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.informs.org/Explore/History-of-O.R.-Excellence/Biographical-Profiles/Wright-Margaret-H)
3. [Source](https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/wright.htm)
4. Library of Congress Authorities
5. [Source](https://math.nyu.edu/people/profiles/WRIGHT_Margaret.html)
6. [Source](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2014/02/12/margaret-wright/)
7. [Source](https://www.siam.org/prizes-recognition/fellows-program/all-siam-fellows?page=3)
8. [Source](https://cacm.acm.org/news/237292-margaret-h-wright-becomes-5th-woman-to-receive-siams-prestigious-john-von-neumann-prize/fulltext)
9. [Source](http://www.ams.org/fellows_by_year.cgi?year=2013)
10. [Source](http://www.ams.org/news?news_id=1680)
11. Mathematics Genealogy Project
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. Library of Congress Name Authority File
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. www.nasonline.org
16. [Source](https://www.siam.org/prizes-recognition/fellows-program/all-siam-fellows)
17. IdRef
18. Autoritats UB
19. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File