Shihoko Ishii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shihoko Ishii
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| Born | 1950 |
| Nationality |  Japan |
| Alma mater | Tokyo Metropolitan University |
| Known for | Singularity theory |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Tokyo |
Shihoko Ishii (Japanese: 石井志保子, born in 1950) is a famous Japanese mathematician. She is a professor at the University of Tokyo. Her main area of study is called algebraic geometry.
Becoming a Mathematician
Shihoko Ishii studied at several universities in Japan. She earned her first degree from Tokyo Women's Christian University in 1973. Later, she received her master's degree from Waseda University in 1975. She then completed her PhD from Tokyo Metropolitan University in 1983.
What She Studies
Dr. Ishii's research mainly focuses on something called singularity theory. Imagine a shape, like a cone. The very tip of the cone is a "singularity" because it's a sharp point, not smooth like the rest of the cone. In mathematics, singularities are points where a shape or equation behaves in a special, often complex, way.
She also studies "arc spaces." These are mathematical tools that help scientists understand how curves behave around these tricky singular points. It's like looking at all the tiny paths (arcs) that can go through or near these special spots on a shape.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Ishii has received important awards for her work.
In 1995, she won the Saruhashi Prize. This award is given to Japanese women researchers who have made great achievements in natural sciences. When she was a young researcher, Dr. Ishii was inspired by reading about Fumiko Yonezawa. Ms. Yonezawa is a physicist who also won the Saruhashi Prize.
In 2011, Shihoko Ishii received the Algebra Prize from the Mathematical Society of Japan. This shows how important her contributions are to the field of mathematics.
