Stephen Hawking's successor named

Professor Michael Green is to succeed Professor Stephen Hawking as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Cambridge University has announced.

The academic who already holds the John Humphrey Plummer Professorship of Theoretical Physics at the university will start work in his new role on November 1. He is the 18th person to be elected to take up one of the world's most prestigious academic positions.

Professor Green is a pioneer of string theory, the idea that the fundamental building blocks of space and time are tiny vibrating strings. Peter Haynes, head of the department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics, said Green has played a leading role in theoretical physics research in the department since 1993.

"He is internationally known as a pioneer in string theory which over the last 20 years has become one of the most important and active areas of theoretical physics," Haynes said.

Professor Hawking, who has motor-neurone disease, completed his last day as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics on September 30, and has taken on a new role as director of research. The Lucasian Professorship was established in 1663 and previous holders have included Sir Isaac Newton. The post was founded in 1663 by Henry Lucas, who was Cambridge University's Member of Parliament from 1639 to 1640, and was officially established by King Charles II on January 18, 1664.

Source:Xinhua/Agencies