Tulane Professor Awarded Blackwell-Tapia Prize

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tulane mathematics professor Ricardo Cortez has been awarded the 2012 Blackwell-TapiaPrize, which recognizes a mathematical scientist who has contributed significantly to research in his or her field and who has served as a role model for students from under-represented minority groups.

Cortez, who is the Pendergraft William Larkin Duren Professor of Mathematics at Tulane, is a leading researcher in fluid dynamics and mathematical modeling.

He co-founded and directs the Center for Computational Science at Tulane.

He has also been a leader in undergraduate mentoring and the development of training opportunities for under-represented minority students in the mathematical sciences.

He received the 2010 Distinguished Undergraduate Institution Mentor Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.