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James Harris (Jim) Simons, Ph.D. is a Cryptanalyst , Mathematical Physicist , Academic , Investment Advisor , Billionaire and Philanthropist . In 1982 , Simons founded Renaissance Technologies Corporation , a private investment firm based in New York with over $12 billion under management; Simons is still at the helm, as president, of what is now one of the world's most successful Hedge Funds . Simons earned $670 million last year, according to an Institutional Investor annual top earner review. Simons' most influential research involved the discovery and application of certain Geometric measurements, and resulted in the Chern-Simons Form (aka Chern-Simons invariants, or Chern-Simons Theory ). In 1974 , his theory was published in ''Characteristic Forms and Geometric Invariants'', co-authored with the differential geometer Shiing-Shen Chern . The theory has wide use in theoretical Physics , particularly String Theory . EDUCATION AND EARLY CAREER Jim Simons received his bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT) in 1958, and his PhD, also in math, from the University Of California, Berkeley , at the age of 23. From 1961 to 1964 , he taught mathematics at MIT and Harvard University . In 1968 , he was appointed chairman of the math department at the State University Of New York At Stony Brook . In 1978 , he left academia to run an investment fund that traded in Commodities and Financial Instrument s on a discretionary basis. In 1976 , Simons won the American Mathematical Society 's Oswald Veblen Prize In Geometry , for work that involved a recasting of the subject of Area Minimizing Multi-dimensional Surfaces and characteristic forms. This resulted in his proof of the Bernstein Conjecture up to Real Dimension 8, and an improvement of a certain 'regularity' result of W. H. Fleming on a generalized Plateau's Problem . RENAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES For over two decades, the Renaissance Technologies investment firm, which trades in markets around the world, has been at the forefront of research in mathematics and economic analysis. Renaissance uses computer-based models to predict price changes in easily-traded financial instruments. These models are based on analyzing as much data as can be gathered, then looking for non-random movements to make predictions. Renaissance employs more than 60 top scientific specialists, including mathematicians, physicists, Astrophysicist s and Statistician s, who review market data to find statistical relationships that predict the price movements of commodities, Currencies and Stock s. Its $5 billion Medallion Fund has averaged 35% annual returns, after fees, since 1989 , and is considered in the industry to be the most successful Hedge Fund , yielding returns ten percentage points higher than investors Bruce Kovner , George Soros , Paul Tudor Jones , Louis Bacon , Mark Kingdon or Monroe Trout . Renaissance is currently gearing up to launch a fund designed to handle upwards of $100 billion, one that could become the industry's largest. "It's startling to see such a highly successful mathematician achieve success in another field," says Edward Witten , professor of physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., and considered by many of his peers to be the most accomplished theoretical physicist alive... PHILANTHROPY The wealth that Simons has amassed funds his many philanthropic pursuits. Simons is a benefactor for the mathematical sciences, supporting research projects, chairs, and conferences in the United States and abroad. Simons and his second wife, Marilyn Hawrys Simons, co-founded the Simons Foundation , a charitable organization which supports projects related to education and health, in addition to scientific research. In memory of his son Paul, he estabilished Avalon Park, a 130 Acre nature preserve in Stony Brook . He also founded Math For America . In early 2006, he led a group of directors of Renaissance Technologies Corporation and of Brookhaven Science Associates in donating $13 million to fund a budget shortfall of the Brookhaven National Laboratory that would have shut down the operations of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider for 2006. Autism research Simons, who lives with his wife in . The family's charitable foundation has committed $38 million to find the causes related to autism in recent years, and plans to spend another $100 million in what is becoming the largest private investment in the field of autism research, while Simons personally exerts extraordinary control over where and how his money is spent. Simons has provided DNA from his family for study, and has given assistance in helping solve research problems. But Simons has stirred debate among scientists, by directing research funding toward genetically based explanation for the disease, and controversy among parents, many of whom would prefer to have researchers investigate possible environtmental triggers. When MIT asked for brain research funding, he stipulated that the project focus on autism and include scientists of his choosing. On June 11, 2003 , The Simons Foundation hosted its first "Panel on Autism Research" in New York City, a day-long event highlighting research into the causes of autism, the accurate genomic mapping of autism, and in the study of the biochemical mechanisms that occur in people with autism. Attendees included David Amaral , Dr. Eric Courchesne , Dr. Nathaniel Heinz , Tom Insel , MD, Catherine Lord , PhD, Dr. Fred Volkmar and Dr. Paul Greengard . Meanwhile, Audrey attends college, though it is a challenge due to difficulties with learning and social cues. She also has obsessive interests, which include attending Synagogue and the Rights of minorities and women. IN THE BOARDROOM Simons serves as trustee of Brookhaven National Laboratory , the Institute For Advanced Study , Rockefeller University , and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley. He is also a member of the Board of the MIT Corporation . EXTERNAL LINKS
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