Edward Witten

Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist known for his contributions to string theory, topological quantum field theory, general relativity and several areas of mathematics. He is professor emeritus in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where his research has spanned string theory, quantum gravity and supersymmetric quantum field theories. In 1990 he became the first physicist ever awarded the Fields Medal, recognized for mathematical insights that included his 1981 proof of the positive energy theorem in general relativity and his interpretation of the Jones knot invariants as Feynman integrals. He is considered the practical founder of M-theory.