Paul Horn

Dr. Paul Horn was named NYU Distinguished Scientist in Residence in September 2007 and Senior Vice Provost for Research in September 2009. Prior to his position at NYU, he was Vice President of IBM Corporation and Chief Research Officer. In this work, he led IBM’s Worldwide Research Program with 3,200 technical employees at eight sites in five countries around the world, and helped guide IBM’s global technical strategy. Under his leadership, IBM Research produced an unprecedented string of technological advances, including the Deep Blue chess supercomputer, the world’s first copper chip, the giant chief magnetoresistive (GMR), rigid silicon (a discovery that allows chips to run up to 35 percent faster), and blueGene’s fastest supercomputer in the world that brought computing leadership back to the United States.

Dr. Horn graduated from Clarkson University of Technology and received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Rochester in 1973. Prior to joining IBM in 1979, Dr. Horn was a professor of physics at the James Franck Institute and the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago. Dr. Horn is a Member of the American Physical Society, and was a Member of the National Academy of Engineering. In addition to NYU-Poly he is a member of numerous professional committees and councils, including the BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ GAO (General Accounting Office), the board of directors of the Economic Development Commission, NYC Seed, and New Venture Partners.