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Josef Tobiska Wins Freedman Prize for Mathematical Promise

Tobiska is being honored for his work on combinatorics, loosely defined as the science of counting.

Specifically, Tobiska’s research centers on integer partitions, in which whole numbers can be broken into a sum of other whole numbers. The integer partitions of three, for example, are 1+1+1, 2+1 and three. This simple idea can lead to many exciting mathematical problems that have far-reaching implications in such fields as physics, computer science and economics.

“I am very excited and honored to be receiving this award,” Tobiska said. “Being recognized for work in mathematics is something quite new for me, and it has opened my eyes to some very exciting new possibilities in my future.”

“Joey has experienced the frustration and the joy of real research,” added associate mathematics Professor Jennifer Quinn. “He has brought his perseverance to bear and seen the fruits of his labors. It is his desire for the truth that makes him a genuine research mathematician.”

Tobiska will receive his $500 prize at a Jan. 30 ceremony in which he also will give a 45-minute presentation on his research. He was selected for the Freedman Prize by a committee of Occidental mathematics faculty. Receiving honorable mentions are junior Daniel Ionita of Bucharest, Romania, and senior Radoslav Kirov of Los Angeles.