Victor Shoup
Encyclopedia
Victor Shoup is a computer scientist
and mathematician
. He obtained a PhD in computer science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1989, and he did his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
. He is currently a professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
at New York University
. He has previously held positions at AT&T Bell Labs, the University of Toronto
, Saarland University
, and the IBM Zurich Research Lab.
Shoup's main research interests and contributions are computer algorithms relating to number theory
, algebra
, and cryptography
. His contributions to these fields include:
Computer scientist
A computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
and mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
. He obtained a PhD in computer science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1989, and he did his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is a public liberal arts university located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and has an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students...
. He is currently a professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
The Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences is an independent division of New York University under the Faculty of Arts & Science that serves as a center for research and advanced training in computer science and mathematics...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He has previously held positions at AT&T Bell Labs, the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, Saarland University
Saarland University
Saarland University is a university located in Saarbrücken, the capital of the German state of Saarland, and Homburg. It was founded in 1948 in Homburg in co-operation with France and is organized in 8 faculties that cover all major fields of science...
, and the IBM Zurich Research Lab.
Shoup's main research interests and contributions are computer algorithms relating to number theory
Number theory
Number theory is a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of the integers. Number theorists study prime numbers as well...
, algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
, and cryptography
Cryptography
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties...
. His contributions to these fields include:
- The Cramer-Shoup system asymmetric encryption algorithm bears his name.
- His freely available (under the terms of the GNUGNUGNU is a Unix-like computer operating system developed by the GNU project, ultimately aiming to be a "complete Unix-compatible software system"...
GPLGNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
) C++C++C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
library of number theory algorithms, NTL, is widely used and well regarded for its high performance. - He is the author of a widely used textbook, "A Computational Introduction to Number Theory and Algebra", which is freely available online.
- He has proved (while at IBM Zurich) a lower bound to the computational complexityComputational ComplexityComputational Complexity may refer to:*Computational complexity theory*Computational Complexity...
of generic algorithms for solving the discrete logarithm problem, a problem in group theoryGroup theoryIn mathematics and abstract algebra, group theory studies the algebraic structures known as groups.The concept of a group is central to abstract algebra: other well-known algebraic structures, such as rings, fields, and vector spaces can all be seen as groups endowed with additional operations and...
which is of considerable importance to public-key cryptography. - He is presently closely involved in the development of an emerging ISO standard for public-key cryptography.