Two mathematicians honored for advancing foundational theories in modern mathematics

The Fields Medal, one of mathematics’ highest honors, has been awarded to two researchers whose work has reshaped key areas of the discipline. Yu Deng’s contributions focus on partial differential equations, particularly in deriving rigorous frameworks for the Boltzmann equation and probabilistic methods for nonlinear Schrödinger dynamics. His early research, published while still an undergraduate, laid groundwork for these advancements. Meanwhile, Hong Wang’s achievements in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory include a resolution of the long-standing Kakeya problem in three dimensions, a breakthrough that has broad implications for understanding geometric configurations in higher dimensions. Both researchers have also played pivotal roles in mentoring early-career mathematicians, with Wang earning recognition for her leadership in MIT’s undergraduate research program. Their work underscores the interdisciplinary nature of modern mathematical inquiry, bridging theoretical rigor with practical applications across fields. The awards were presented at the International Congress of Mathematicians, where Wang became only the third woman in history to receive the distinction, further highlighting the growing diversity of contributions to the field.