Core Points - Chinese mathematician Wang Hong has recently won two prestigious mathematics awards: the 2025 Salem Prize and the ICCM Mathematics Prize [1][3] - The Salem Prize is awarded for significant contributions in Fourier analysis and related fields, typically to mathematicians under 40 years old [9][12] - Wang Hong's achievements in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory have positioned her as a leading candidate for the Fields Medal, often regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics" [7][14] Group 1 - Wang Hong received the 2025 Salem Prize for her outstanding contributions to unresolved problems in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory [1] - The ICCM Mathematics Prize, which Wang also won, is considered the "Fields Medal" of the Chinese mathematics community [3] - The likelihood of winning the Fields Medal is notably high for those who have previously won the Salem Prize, with ten past recipients achieving this honor [12] Group 2 - Wang Hong's recent research breakthroughs include solving the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture, a significant problem in the field [31][34] - Her academic journey includes degrees from prestigious institutions such as École Polytechnique and MIT, culminating in a postdoctoral position at the Institute for Advanced Study [22][24] - Wang's work has been published in top mathematics journals, further solidifying her reputation in the mathematical community [31]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant achievements of mathematician Wang Hong, who received two prestigious awards: the 2025 Salem Prize and the ICCM Mathematics Award, marking a remarkable year for Chinese mathematicians [2][5][56]. Group 1: Awards and Recognition - Wang Hong was awarded the 2025 Salem Prize for her contributions to solving major open problems in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory [17][29]. - The ICCM Mathematics Award was also given to Wang Hong, along with fellow Peking University alumni Deng Yu and Yuan Xinyi, recognizing their exceptional work in mathematics [5][30]. - The Salem Prize is considered a precursor to the Fields Medal, with a notable history of past winners going on to receive the Fields Medal [2]. Group 2: Wang Hong's Academic Journey - Wang Hong transitioned from studying Earth and Space Sciences at Peking University to pursuing mathematics, showcasing her passion for the field [10]. - She graduated from Peking University in 2011, furthered her studies at École Polytechnique and Paris 11 University, and completed her PhD at MIT in 2019 under renowned mathematician Larry Guth [11][13]. - Wang is currently an assistant professor at UCLA and a tenured professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES), where she is the first female tenured professor in its history [15]. Group 3: Contributions to Mathematics - Wang Hong made significant advancements in several century-old mathematical problems, including the Kakeya set conjecture, which she proved in collaboration with Professor Joshua Zahl [20][28]. - She has also contributed to the Fourier restriction conjecture and the Falconer distance set conjecture, publishing two papers in top mathematical journals this year alone [23]. - Her groundbreaking work has positioned her as a leading candidate for the Fields Medal, especially following her recent accolades [29]. Group 4: Fellow Awardees - Deng Yu, another ICCM awardee, is a professor at the University of Chicago and has received numerous accolades, including the Putnam Fellow award and the IMO gold medal [32]. - Yuan Xinyi, also an ICCM awardee, is known for his work in Arakelov geometry and algebraic dynamics, having made significant contributions to various mathematical fields [45]. - All three awardees share a common background as alumni of Peking University's mathematics department, highlighting the institution's role in nurturing top mathematical talent [55].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the recent appointment of Chinese mathematician Wang Hong, known for solving the Kakeya conjecture, as a permanent professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES) in France, marking a significant achievement in her career and the mathematics community [1][2][10]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Wang Hong will officially join IHES on September 1, 2025, and will also hold a position as a mathematics professor at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences [6]. - IHES currently has only seven permanent professors, with five being prominent mathematicians, including two Fields Medal winners [3][4]. Group 2: Academic Background - Wang Hong was born in 1991 in Guilin, Guangxi, and demonstrated exceptional academic ability from a young age, entering Peking University at 16 [15]. - She obtained her bachelor's degree in mathematics in 2011, followed by an engineering degree from École Polytechnique and a master's degree from Paris XI University in 2014, and completed her PhD at MIT in 2019 [16]. Group 3: Research Contributions - Wang Hong, along with UBC mathematics associate professor Joshua Zahl, solved the Kakeya conjecture, a long-standing problem in mathematics that has implications across various fields such as harmonic analysis and number theory [10][12]. - The Kakeya conjecture in three dimensions asserts that a set containing unit-length line segments in every direction must have Minkowski and Hausdorff dimensions equal to three [11]. Group 4: Community Reception - The announcement of Wang Hong's appointment was met with enthusiasm in the mathematics community, with notable figures expressing their support and anticipation for her contributions [7][9]. - Many believe her recent achievement could position her as a strong candidate for the Fields Medal [14].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent proof of the Kakeya conjecture in three-dimensional space by Chinese mathematician Wang Hong and Columbia University professor Joshua Zahl, which has generated significant interest and could position Wang as a strong candidate for the Fields Medal in 2026 [1][5][6]. Group 1: Kakeya Conjecture Overview - The Kakeya conjecture, proposed by Japanese mathematician Sōichi Kakeya in 1917, involves determining the minimum area that a needle can sweep when rotated in a confined space [8][9]. - The conjecture states that a Kakeya set in three-dimensional space must have both Minkowski and Hausdorff dimensions equal to three, indicating that these sets geometrically fill the space despite appearing sparse [10][11][12]. Group 2: Proof Details - Wang Hong and Joshua Zahl published a 127-page paper proving the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture, employing complex strategies including non-concentration conditions and multi-scale analysis [3][20]. - Their proof involves defining a situation K(d) and demonstrating a relationship that allows for the induction of dimension parameters towards three [21][23]. - The authors utilized multi-scale analysis to study the organization of pipe-like structures, leading to insights about the density and overlap of these structures [24][25][28]. Group 3: Background on Wang Hong - Wang Hong, born in 1991, is a notable mathematician who could become the first Chinese woman to win the Fields Medal if awarded [7][34]. - She has an impressive academic background, having studied at prestigious institutions and focusing on Fourier transform-related problems [36][38].