Benjamin Edward Dozier

NEW MEXICO

Benjamin Edward Dozier, 18, of Los Alamos, studied the logical complexity of describing random bit strings for his Intel Science Talent Search project in mathematics. Any finite string of 0's and 1's can be completely described by a sentence of first order logic. Ben investigated the complexity of this description for random bit strings of length n which are equipped with a function p(n) giving the likelihood that any entry in the string has value 1. He found asymptotic bounds in the case of very sparse strings (few 1's) and also in the case where p(n) does not vary with n. Ben is first in his class of 278 at Los Alamos High School where he serves as the math club president and enjoys playing tennis. The winner of numerous math and science awards, Ben was the first-ever qualifier from his school and the only student from New Mexico in the 2006 USA Mathematical Olympiad. That year he also earned an Honorable Mention in the National Peace Essay contest, was a semifinalist in the Ayn Rand Anthem Essay contest, and traveled to Croatia, Hungary and the UK. The son of Miguel Dozier and Esther Kovari, Ben hopes to continue his research at MIT or Harvard.