Mason Porter, a UCLA professor of mathematics, has received the prestigious 2025 George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.
One of SIAM’s major prizes, the George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition is awarded every two years to an outstanding expositor of mathematical sciences. Porter was selected for his ability to communicate mathematics effectively and his review articles on networks, complex systems and dynamics. He is the sixth person to receive the award.
Porter’s research focuses on applied mathematics, with an emphasis on nonlinear and complex systems, as well as multilayer networks. His interests span the physical, engineering, biological and information sciences – from biology to quantum chaos. Following his appointment to the department of sociology in 2023, Porter’s studies have expanded to include how people influence each others’ opinions and how content spreads on social networks. His publications have been cited 31,825 times.
Porter will be presented with the award at the third joint SIAM/CAIMS annual meetings later this year. It will include an engraved medal and a $10,000 award.
