Celebrating John Pardon, 2026 Fields Medalist
A Tribute to Discovery, Research and Excellence in Mathematics
Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
John Pardon, professor in Stony Brook University's Simons Center for Geometry and Physics and Department of Mathematics, was named one of four recipients of the 2026 Fields Medal by the International Mathematical Union in July 2026.
The Fields Medal, often described as the Nobel Prize of mathematics due to its prestige, is awarded every four years to two to four mathematicians under the age of 40. It recognizes outstanding mathematical achievement in existing work and the promise of future achievement.
Pardon was recognized for his achievements in symplectic geometry, including new approaches to virtual fundamental cycles, Fukaya categories of certain manifolds and counting holomorphic curves, and for his contributions to other areas of geometry and topology, including group actions on 3-manifolds and knot theory.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of a mathematician who has repeatedly had a significant impact on the fields of topology and symplectic geometry.
The tribute will include a Presentation of Scholarship at 3:30 pm, a Celebration of Excellence at 5 pm and a Reception at 6 pm.
Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Auditorium, 3:30 pm
Welcome
Ludmil Katzarkov, Director, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
Presentation of Scholarship
Yakov Eliashberg
Herald L. and Caroline L. Ritch Professor of Mathematics, Stanford University; Trustee,
Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
Mohammed Abouzaid
Professor of Mathematics, Stanford University
Nikita Nekrasov
Professor, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, Stony Brook University; C. N. Yang
Institute for Theoretical Physics, Stony Brook University
Ernesto Lupercio
Professor, Institute of Mathematical Sciences of the Americas, University of Miami
Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Auditorium, 5 pm
Welcome
Andrea Goldsmith, President, Stony Brook University
Remarks
Carl W. Lejuez, Executive Vice President and Provost
David Wrobel, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Marilyn Simons, '74, PhD '84, Co-Founder and Chair, Simons Foundation; President, MJS Foundation; Interim Chair, Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees
Yuri Tschinkel, Director of Mathematics and the Physical Sciences, Simons Foundation; Trustee, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
Jeffry Fuqua, President, Amick Holding Inc.; Trustee, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
John Pardon, Professor of Mathematics and Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, Stony Brook University
Closing Remarks
Ludmil Katzarkov, Director, Simons Center for Geometry and Physics
Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Lobby, 6 pm
Musical Performance - Department of Music
Hosted by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics