Vietnam Talking Points

A News Journal by Young Vietnamese Professionals

Influential Vietnamese: Ngo Bao Chau and the Fundamental Lemma

Posted by James H. Bao on 2/02/10 • Categorized as Editorials

Ngô Bao Châu of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton

Photo from UChicago

In 2009, Vietnamese-born Ngô Bao Châu found himself in TIME magazine as the man responsible for one of the top 10 scientific discoveries of 2009.

His discovery?

The proof to the fundamental lemma.  I’ve tried my best to digest the basics of the theory, but since it has been over ten years since my last math class (Calculus D), everything looks like a foreign language.  From what I’ve gathered, Ngo’s proof is an extremely important bridge between number theory and group theory.

So great is Ngo’s discovery that Robert Fefferman, Dean of the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago, deems Ngo “one of the great mathematicians of our time.”  Consequently, Ngo has been appointed a faculty position at the prestigious University of Chicago.

Ngo is 37 years old (despite is youthful appearance).  Ngo received is PhD from the Université Paris-Sud in 1997 and is currently a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.  Read more about Ngo’s appointment at UChicago here.

Understand the difference between number and group theory? Know another Influential Vietnamese we should feature? Let us know in the comments!

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The Author: James H. Bao

James Bao is the cofounder and Executive Director of OneVietnam Network. Previously, James was a financial analyst covering the technology, telecommunications, and media space. James graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Business Administration. Extended Bio.

  • VinhD
    One word from me: Respect!
  • At 37, I imagine he has a lot of time left in his career. It will be great to see what he comes up with next.
  • vnmath
    I would put Ngo at least in the same league with Terry Tao ( if not better ! ). Watch out for Ngo's math striking power . He is probably among the very very few mathematicians who will prove those decade olds or century old math problems. The fundamental lemma is just ONE example of his discoveries. It is his FIRST proof. He surely will capture the fields medal this coming august in Hyderabad, India.
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