June 20, 2008

Peter A. Markowich: Paying Salaries

Everyone asks Peter A. Markowich the same question: "How can a mathematician spend so much money?"

The professor of applied mathematics at the University of Cambridge has an easy answer: He will spend his $10-million Kaust grant on people.

Most of his grant (after the university takes its cut, around half of the total) will go toward the salaries of about a dozen people, including more than half of his own paycheck. Mr. Markowich came to Cambridge a year ago from the University