DNA For Innovative Excellence

Yang Chen-Ning

Chen-Ning Yang is one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. He shared the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics with Tsung-Dao Lee for their groundbreaking discovery that the weak nuclear force violates parity symmetry—a concept long assumed to be fundamental in physics. He later co-developed the Yang–Mills theory, which laid the foundation for the Standard Model of particle physics.

In 1966, Yang joined Stony Brook University as the Albert Einstein Professor of Physics and founded the Institute for Theoretical Physics, now named the C. N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP). His leadership attracted top scholars and helped transform Stony Brook into a world-class center for theoretical physics. Throughout his career, Yang has received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Science, the Rumford Prize, the Benjamin Franklin Medal, and the Einstein Prize.

Today, his legacy is deeply embedded in Stony Brook's academic landscape—buildings like Yang Hall and Nobel Halls stand as enduring tributes. Yang’s commitment to deep, rigorous thinking continues to shape the university’s culture and inspire generations of physicists.

Jim Simons

Jim Simons is a legendary mathematician and hedge fund manager best known for founding Renaissance Technologies, one of the most successful quantitative hedge funds in history. Before revolutionizing finance, Simons made significant contributions to mathematics and cryptography—particularly in differential geometry, including the Chern–Simons theory, which has had profound impact in both mathematics and theoretical physics.

Simons served as chair of the mathematics department at Stony Brook University from 1968 to 1976, during which time he transformed the department into a globally recognized hub of mathematical research. His commitment to excellence in academia and research laid the groundwork for Stony Brook’s emergence as a leading institution in the mathematical sciences.

Beyond academia, Jim and his wife Marilyn Simons have been major philanthropic supporters of Stony Brook, donating hundreds of millions of dollars through the Simons Foundation. The Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, adjacent to the C.N. Yang Institute, stands as a physical and intellectual symbol of Simons’ enduring legacy—bridging the gap between mathematics and physics, and cementing Stony Brook’s status on the global research stage.

Paul Lauterbur was an American chemist and a pioneer of medical imaging, best known for his groundbreaking work in the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 2003, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Sir Peter Mansfield, for discoveries that made MRI one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in modern medicine.

Lauterbur conducted much of his Nobel-winning research while serving as a professor at Stony Brook University. It was there, in 1971, that he produced the first MRI image—a moment that would fundamentally change the landscape of medical diagnostics. Despite initial skepticism and even rejection from top journals, Lauterbur’s work ultimately revolutionized the field.

Today, his innovative spirit lives on at Stony Brook through the university’s continued leadership in medical research and innovation. Lauterbur’s story is not just one of scientific genius, but also of persistence and vision—values deeply woven into the fabric of Stony Brook’s research community.

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