RIP Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani

In summary, Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the Fields Medal for mathematics, has died at the age of 40 from breast cancer that had spread to her bones. The Fields Medal, also known as the "Nobel Prize for Mathematics", is only awarded every four years to young mathematicians. Prof Mirzakhani was recognized in 2014 for her work on complex geometry and dynamical systems. She leaves behind a legacy in the world of mathematics and will be greatly missed.
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Cancer has taken a great from us once again!
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40617094

Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the prestigious Fields Medal for mathematics, has died in the US.

The 40-year-old had breast cancer, which had spread to her bones.

Nicknamed the "Nobel Prize for Mathematics", the Fields Medal is only awarded every four years to between two and four mathematicians under 40.

It was given to Prof Mirzakhani, an Iranian, in 2014, for her work on complex geometry and dynamical systems.
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
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Man, I hate cancer.
 
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http://news.stanford.edu/2017/07/15...d-mathematician-and-fields-medal-winner-dies/

https://www.quantamagazine.org/maryam-mirzakhani-is-first-woman-fields-medalist-20140812







https://video.ias.edu/search/node/Mirzakhani

https://www.genealogy.math.ndsu.nodak.edu/id.php?id=91093
https://search.proquest.com/docview/305191605 "Simple geodesics on hyperbolic surfaces and the volume of the moduli space of curves" (2004 dissertation)

http://math.stanford.edu/~mmirzakh/Research.html
https://arxiv.org/abs/1302.3320 "Invariant and stationary measures for the SL(2,R) action on Moduli space"
 
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So sad and shocking! I feel for her family
 
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I genuinely couldn't believe it was true initially. I mean forty... nature is cruel. Humanity has lost a diamond.
 

1. Who was Maryam Mirzakhani and why is she significant in the field of mathematics?

Maryam Mirzakhani was an Iranian mathematician who was the first woman to receive the prestigious Fields Medal in 2014 for her groundbreaking work in the field of hyperbolic geometry and complex dynamics. She was also a professor at Stanford University and a member of the American Mathematical Society. Her contributions to mathematics have greatly advanced our understanding of complex mathematical concepts and earned her recognition as one of the most influential mathematicians of our time.

2. When did Maryam Mirzakhani pass away and what was the cause of her death?

Maryam Mirzakhani passed away on July 14, 2017 at the age of 40 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and despite undergoing treatment, it eventually spread to her bone marrow and liver.

3. How has Maryam Mirzakhani's death impacted the mathematics community?

The death of Maryam Mirzakhani was felt deeply by the mathematics community, as she was not only a brilliant mathematician but also a role model for women in STEM fields. Her passing was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow mathematicians and institutions around the world. Her legacy continues to inspire and motivate future generations of mathematicians.

4. What were some of Maryam Mirzakhani's most notable achievements and contributions to mathematics?

Some of Maryam Mirzakhani's most notable achievements include her groundbreaking work on the dynamics of complex surfaces and her contributions to the understanding of moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces. She also made significant contributions to the understanding of Teichmüller dynamics and the study of hyperbolic geometry. Her work has had a profound impact on many areas of mathematics and has opened up new avenues for research.

5. How can we honor and continue Maryam Mirzakhani's legacy in mathematics?

There are many ways to honor and continue Maryam Mirzakhani's legacy, such as promoting diversity and inclusivity in the mathematics community, supporting and encouraging women and girls in STEM fields, and continuing to advance our understanding of complex mathematical concepts. Many organizations and institutions have also established scholarships and awards in her name to support and recognize the achievements of women in mathematics.

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