# Michael Ben-Or

> Israeli computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q30871348](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30871348)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ben-Or)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-ben-or

## Summary
Michael Ben-Or is a prominent Israeli computer scientist and mathematician based at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is best known for his foundational research in theoretical computer science and distributed computing, for which he received the prestigious Dijkstra Prize in 2015.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1955, Jerusalem
- **Nationality:** Israel
- **Education:** Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Ph.D. supervised by Michael O. Rabin)
- **Known for:** Contributions to distributed computing, mathematics, and theoretical computer science
- **Employer(s):** Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Mathematics

## Contributions
Michael Ben-Or has made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and computer science through his research and academic leadership. His work in distributed computing was notably recognized in 2015 when he received the Dijkstra Prize, an award dedicated to papers that have had a significant impact on the theory or practice of distributed systems. 

Beyond his individual research, Ben-Or has been a prolific mentor within the Israeli scientific community. He served as the doctoral advisor for a generation of influential computer scientists, including Dorit Aharonov, Ran Raz, and Tal Rabin. His academic lineage is notable, as he was a student of the Turing Award winner Michael O. Rabin. His research and scholarly output are extensively documented in major academic databases, including DBLP, IEEE Xplore, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project, reflecting a career dedicated to advancing the theoretical underpinnings of computation.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Michael Ben-Or's most significant award?
A: Michael Ben-Or was awarded the Dijkstra Prize in 2015. This prize recognizes outstanding papers on the principles of distributed computing that have had a lasting impact.

### Q: Which institution is Michael Ben-Or affiliated with?
A: He is a faculty member at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the same institution where he completed his own doctoral studies.

### Q: Who was Michael Ben-Or's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was Michael O. Rabin, a renowned Israeli computer scientist and mathematician.

### Q: Has Michael Ben-Or mentored other famous scientists?
A: Yes, he has supervised several notable doctoral students who became leaders in their fields, including cryptographer Tal Rabin and computer scientists Dorit Aharonov and Ran Raz.

## Why They Matter
Michael Ben-Or is a central figure in the development of theoretical computer science in Israel. His significance stems from both his high-level theoretical research and his role as a primary educator of the next generation of scientists. By advising students who have gone on to lead research in cryptography, complexity theory, and quantum computing, Ben-Or has exerted a multiplier effect on the field. His 2015 Dijkstra Prize confirms the enduring relevance of his work in distributed computing, a field that is essential to modern networked systems. Without his contributions and mentorship, the landscape of Israeli computer science and global theoretical research would lack several of its key foundational pillars.

## Notable For
*   **Dijkstra Prize (2015):** Received for his influential work in the field of distributed computing.
*   **Academic Mentorship:** Served as the doctoral advisor for prominent scientists including Tal Rabin, Dorit Aharonov, and Ran Raz.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Student of Michael O. Rabin at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
*   **Authority Records:** Recognized in major international biographical and academic databases including VIAF, GND, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project.

## Body
### Academic Career and Education
Michael Ben-Or was born in Jerusalem in 1955. He completed his higher education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His doctoral research was conducted under the supervision of Michael O. Rabin, a foundational figure in computer science. Ben-Or eventually joined the faculty of the Hebrew University, maintaining a lifelong affiliation with the institution.

### Research and Mentorship
Ben-Or's professional identity is defined by his dual roles as a mathematician and a computer scientist. He is particularly noted for his extensive work with doctoral students. His former students have achieved significant recognition in various sub-fields:
*   **Tal Rabin:** A noted cryptographer.
*   **Dorit Aharonov:** An Israeli computer scientist and engineer.
*   **Ran Raz:** A theoretical computer scientist and university teacher.
*   **Other Students:** His advisees also include Judit Bar-Ilan, Roy Armoni, Dan Gutfreund, Elan Pavlov, Avinatan Hassidim, and Ido Bregman.

### Professional Recognition
In 2015, the computer science community recognized Ben-Or's contributions to distributed computing with the Dijkstra Prize. His work is cataloged under several international identifiers, including GND ID 1066354480 and VIAF ID 313473165. He is also identified in the Mathematics Genealogy Project under ID 142343.

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## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project