Nicholas Shepherd-Barron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Shepherd-Barron
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|---|---|
| Born |
Nicholas Ian Shepherd-Barron
March 17, 1955 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge, King's College London |
| Thesis | Some Questions on Singularities in Two and Three Dimensions (1981) |
| Doctoral advisor | Miles Reid |
Nicholas Ian Shepherd-Barron (born March 17, 1955) is a British mathematician. He is known for his work in a field of math called algebraic geometry. Currently, he is a professor of mathematics at King's College London.
Contents
Becoming a Mathematician
Nicholas Shepherd-Barron went to Winchester College when he was younger. He then studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he earned his first degree in 1976.
He continued his studies and received his Ph.D. from the University of Warwick in 1981. His main teacher and guide during his Ph.D. was Miles Reid.
Moving Universities
For many years, Professor Shepherd-Barron taught at the University of Cambridge. In 2013, he moved to King's College London, where he continues to teach and research today.
What He Studies
Professor Shepherd-Barron is an expert in algebraic geometry. This is a branch of mathematics that uses tools from algebra to study geometric shapes. Imagine trying to describe a circle or a cube using only numbers and equations – that's a bit like what algebraic geometry does!
He has worked on many different puzzles within this field. For example, he helped prove a very important idea called the Sato–Tate conjecture in 2008. He worked on this with two other mathematicians, Michael Harris and Richard Taylor. This was a big step forward in understanding certain patterns in numbers.
Awards and Recognition
In 2006, Nicholas Shepherd-Barron was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. It means he is recognized as one of the best in his field.
Family Connections
Nicholas Shepherd-Barron's father was John Shepherd-Barron. His father was a famous British inventor. John Shepherd-Barron is known for inventing the very first cash machine, also known as an ATM, in 1967.
