VUB alumna and internationally renowned mathematician Ingrid Daubechies has been awarded the ESI Medal 2026 by the Erwin Schrödinger Institute for Mathematics and Physics in Vienna. The distinction recognises her exceptional contributions to mathematics and the way these are applied today in image processing, artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Daubechies studied and worked at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel before becoming one of the world's most influential mathematicians. The Erwin Schrödinger Institute praises her for her “fundamental and transformative contributions to mathematical data science”. This recognition refers not only to her pioneering work on wavelets, but also to her research into data processing, image analysis, deep learning and the restoration of works of art.
Wavelets are mathematical techniques that make it possible to process large quantities of information efficiently. Daubechies’ work helped lay the foundations for modern image compression and is used in applications ranging from digital photography and medical imaging to film and telecommunications. According to an internal VUB overview, the so-called Daubechies wavelets later became a key component of the JPEG2000 standard for digital images.
The ESI Medal was established in 2020 and honours researchers with outstanding achievements in mathematics, physics, or at the interface between the two disciplines. The award is regarded as one of Europe’s most prestigious distinctions in these fields. Previous laureates include Fields Medal winner Martin Hairer and the influential mathematical physicist Elliott Lieb, two researchers widely considered among the leading figures in their disciplines worldwide.
A Collection of International Awards
Over the past decades, Daubechies has received numerous international honours. In 2025, she was awarded the National Medal of Science in the United States, the country’s highest scientific distinction. She was also the first female president of the International Mathematical Union and is recognised worldwide as a pioneer in applied mathematics.
Despite her international career, she remains closely connected to VUB. Among other initiatives, she supports Wiskunnend Wiske, the VUB competition that aims to inspire girls to engage with mathematics and the exact sciences.