Mary Rees facts for kids

Susan Mary Rees, born on July 31, 1953, is a British mathematician. She was a professor of mathematics at the University of Liverpool until she retired in 2018. Her special area of study is called complex dynamical systems. This involves looking at how things change and move in complicated patterns over time.

Her Career and Achievements

Susan Rees was born in Cambridge, England. She went to St Hugh's College, Oxford and then the University of Warwick to study mathematics. She earned her PhD degree in 1978.

After finishing her studies, she worked at several important research centers. These included the Institute for Advanced Study and the Institut des hautes études scientifiques. Later, she joined the University of Liverpool. She became a full professor of mathematics in 2002. She retired in 2018 and is now an emeritus professor, meaning she keeps her title.

In 1988, Susan Rees received the Whitehead Prize from the London Mathematical Society. This award recognized her important work in mathematics. She also gave a speech at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Kyoto, Japan, in 1990.

Much of her recent work has been about understanding how certain mathematical maps behave. These are called "quadratic rational maps." She also helped with a proof for a complex idea called the "Ending Laminations Conjecture."

Fellow of the Royal Society

In 2002, Susan Rees was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. It means she is recognized as one of the best scientists in her field.

Her Family

Susan Rees comes from a family of mathematicians. Her father, David Rees, was also a famous mathematician. He worked on the Enigma machine during World War II at Bletchley Park. Her sister, Sarah Rees, is also a mathematician.