# Mark K. Goldberg

> Ph.D. Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, Novosibirsk

**Wikidata**: [Q102247094](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102247094)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mark-k-goldberg

## Summary
Mark K. Goldberg is a mathematician and computer scientist recognized for his contributions to graph theory and his role as a university educator. He is notably a member of the elite group of researchers with an Erdős number of 1, having co-authored research directly with Paul Erdős. Goldberg has served as a doctoral advisor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, mentoring future leaders in the field of computer science.

## Biography
- **Education**: University of Latvia; Ph.D. from the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics SB RAS
- **Known for**: Achieving an Erdős number of 1 and contributions to graph theory
- **Employer(s)**: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- **Field(s)**: Mathematics, Computer Science

## Contributions
Mark K. Goldberg has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly within graph theory. His most prominent academic milestone is the co-authorship of the paper "Cutting a graph into two dissimilar halves," published in 1988. This collaboration with the prolific mathematician Paul Erdős earned him an Erdős number of 1, a rare distinction in the scientific community.

Beyond his individual research, Goldberg has had a substantial impact on computer science education and mentorship. During his tenure at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), he served as a doctoral advisor to several students who have gone on to careers in academia and industry. Notable students include Eric Breimer (Ph.D., 2002) and Darren Troy Lim (Ph.D., 2003), both of whom became university teachers and computer scientists. His work is extensively documented across major academic databases, including DBLP, IEEE Xplore, and the zbMATH Open platform, reflecting a career dedicated to formal mathematical analysis and its applications in computing.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mark K. Goldberg's Erdős number?
A: Mark K. Goldberg has an Erdős number of 1. He earned this distinction by co-authoring the 1988 paper "Cutting a graph into two dissimilar halves" with Paul Erdős.

### Q: Where did Mark K. Goldberg receive his Ph.D.?
A: He received his Ph.D. from the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics (Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) in Novosibirsk. He also attended the University of Latvia.

### Q: Which notable students did Mark K. Goldberg advise?
A: Goldberg served as the doctoral advisor for Eric Breimer, who graduated in 2002, and Darren Troy Lim, who graduated in 2003. Both students earned their degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

## Why They Matter
Mark K. Goldberg’s significance lies in his direct contribution to the foundational mathematical structures used in computer science. By collaborating with Paul Erdős, he participated in the high-level combinatorial research that defines much of modern graph theory. His influence extends through his academic lineage; by training doctoral students at a major research institution like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he helped shape the next generation of computer science faculty. His presence in major indices like the Mathematics Genealogy Project and the IEEE Xplore database underscores his lasting footprint on both theoretical mathematics and applied computer science.

## Notable For
*   **Erdős Number 1**: Co-authored the 1988 publication "Cutting a graph into two dissimilar halves" with Paul Erdős.
*   **Academic Mentorship**: Served as the doctoral advisor for computer scientists Eric Breimer and Darren Troy Lim.
*   **Ph.D. Pedigree**: Earned his doctorate under the supervision of Alexandr Zikov at the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics.
*   **Digital Research Footprint**: Maintained profiles and author IDs across DBLP, IEEE Xplore, and zbMATH, indicating a broad range of peer-reviewed work.

## Body
### Academic Background and Education
Mark K. Goldberg pursued his higher education at the University of Latvia before moving to the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics SB RAS in Novosibirsk for his doctoral studies. He completed his Ph.D. under the guidance of doctoral advisor Alexandr Zikov. His academic foundation is rooted in the rigorous tradition of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

### Research and Graph Theory
Goldberg's research interests intersect mathematics and computer science, with a specific focus on graph theory. In 1988, he published "Cutting a graph into two dissimilar halves," a collaborative work with Paul Erdős. This paper is a primary reference for his Erdős number of 1. His work is cataloged under MR Author ID 74625 and zbMATH Author ID goldberg.mark-k.

### Teaching and Mentorship at RPI
Goldberg transitioned into a career as a university teacher, primarily associated with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). His role as a mentor is evidenced by his supervision of Ph.D. candidates:
*   **Eric Breimer**: Completed his Ph.D. in 2002 under Goldberg's supervision.
*   **Darren Troy Lim**: Completed his Ph.D. in 2003 under Goldberg's supervision.

Both students followed Goldberg's path into computer science and university instruction. Goldberg maintains a professional web presence through RPI's Computer Science department.

### Professional Identifiers
Goldberg is recognized across several international research databases:
*   **DBLP**: g/MarkKGoldberg
*   **IEEE Xplore**: 38185030500
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project**: 79053

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## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](https://sites.google.com/oakland.edu/grossman/home/the-erdoes-number-project/the-erdoes-number-project-data-files/erdos0d)