John Pardon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Pardon
|
|
|---|---|
Pardon in 2026
|
|
| Born | June 1, 1989 |
| Alma mater | Princeton University (BA) Stanford University (PhD) |
| Known for | Solving Gromov's problem on distortion of knots Proof of the 3 dimensional case of Hilbert–Smith conjecture |
| Awards | Morgan Prize (2012) Alan T. Waterman Award (2017) Clay Research Award (2022) New Horizons in Mathematics Prize (2025) Fields Medal (2026) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | Princeton University Simons Center for Geometry and Physics |
| Doctoral advisor | Yakov Eliashberg |
John Vincent Pardon (born June 1989) is an American mathematician. He studies geometry and topology, which are branches of math dealing with shapes, spaces, and how they connect. He is famous for solving a big problem about how knots can be twisted in space. For this work, he received the 2012 Morgan Prize. He is a permanent member at the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics in Stony Brook, New York. In 2026, he was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal.
Contents
A Young Mind Explores Mathematics
Growing Up with Math
John Pardon's mother was a math teacher. She taught him basic math, trigonometry, and calculus early on. His father, William Pardon, was also a mathematics professor. He taught at Duke University. This family background helped spark John's interest in math.
When he was in high school at Durham Academy, John took advanced classes. He even took some courses at Duke University.
Solving Knotty Problems
John was very good at computer science competitions. He won three gold medals at the International Olympiad in Informatics in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2007, he earned second place in the Intel Science Talent Search. His project was about how curves can change shape. He showed that certain curves can be smoothly changed into a rounder shape. This can be done without changing their length or letting any two points get closer. He published this research in 2009.
After high school, John went to Princeton University. He started taking advanced math classes usually meant for graduate students. While there, he solved a complex problem in knot theory. This problem was about whether every knot could fit into 3D space without too much stretching. He proved that some knots, called torus knots, actually need a lot of stretching.
His proof was published in 2011. It earned him the Morgan Prize in 2012.
Beyond Math: Languages and Music
During college, John also learned to speak Chinese fluently. He wanted a challenge, so he chose a difficult language. He even debated in Chinese on television in Singapore. John is also a talented cello player. He won the Princeton Sinfonia concerto competition twice. He graduated in 2011 as the top student in his class.
He then continued his studies at Stanford University. There, he solved another major math problem. This was the three-dimensional part of the Hilbert–Smith conjecture. He earned his Ph.D. in 2015. After that, he became a Clay Research Fellow for five years.
A Career in Advanced Mathematics
In 2016, John Pardon became a full professor of Mathematics at Princeton University. He is now a permanent member of the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics in Stony Brook, New York. In 2023, he proved a complex idea called the MNOP conjecture. This idea connects two ways of counting curves in special shapes called Calabi–Yau threefolds. He is also writing a book about symplectic geometry, which studies shapes using ideas from physics.
Awards and Special Recognitions
An Asteroid Named After Him
On March 3, 2007, a special honor was given to John. The International Astronomical Union named an asteroid after him. It is called 22911 Johnpardon. This was to recognize his achievement in the 2007 Intel Science Talent Search.
Top Honors in Mathematics
In 2017, John received the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award. This award recognized his important work in geometry and topology.
He was chosen as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2018. Also in 2018, he was an invited speaker at a big math conference in Rio de Janeiro. He received the Clay Research Award in 2022. In 2025, he was honored with the New Horizons in Mathematics Prize.
John Pardon was awarded the Fields Medal in 2026. This is one of the highest honors in mathematics. He received it for his work in symplectic geometry and other areas of geometry and topology. His contributions included new ways to understand complex shapes and curves.
Life Outside of Work
John Pardon has two sons, Alexandros and Andreas. He enjoys teaching them Chinese. He reads to them and helps them learn Chinese characters.
