Gehrke

Johannes Gehrke, professor of computer science, is one of four winners of the 2011 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, presented by the New York Academy of Sciences. Established in 2007 by the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the awards recognize noteworthy young scientists and engineers (born in 1969 or later) in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who make innovative advances in the life and physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Gehrke was recognized for his work on managing and mining tremendously large datasets such as those used ion e-commerce, and investigating data privacy problems raised by these technologies. He receives an award of $25,000 in unrestricted funds.

"I am very humbled and thrilled," Gehrke said. "Research on large data has a huge impact on the world now, and I am honored that with this prize I have the opportunity to show to a broader audience how it influences science, health care, education, energy, and the environment."

Out of approximately 150 applications, 60 judges named seven faculty finalists from whom the final four winners are chosen.

Michal Lipson, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, was a 2010 Blavatnik Award winner.