Dr. Edward Frenkel is a preeminent mathematician whose pioneering work has transformed the landscape of modern theoretical mathematics and its applications to physics. He currently serves as Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, a position he has held since 1997 after previously serving on the faculty at Harvard University where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 1994. Dr. Frenkel earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1991 under the direction of Boris Feigin and Joseph Bernstein following an unconventional educational path that began at Gubkin University of Oil and Gas (now known as Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas) in Russia, where he received a degree in applied mathematics in 1989 despite initial barriers to admission at Moscow State University. His remarkable journey from Soviet Russia to the forefront of global mathematics exemplifies his exceptional intellectual determination and scholarly achievement.
Dr. Frenkel's most significant contributions center on the Langlands Program, which he characterizes as a Grand Unified Theory of mathematics for its extraordinary capacity to establish profound connections between representation theory, algebraic geometry, and number theory. His research has provided essential theoretical frameworks that bridge mathematical disciplines with quantum physics, revealing deep symmetries that have reshaped our understanding of fundamental mathematical structures. The theoretical impact of his work extends beyond pure mathematics, offering innovative approaches to quantum field theory and mathematical physics through sophisticated geometric and algebraic methods. His scholarly output of over 100 peer-reviewed articles and three influential books has established foundational insights that continue to guide research directions across multiple mathematical subfields.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Frenkel has revolutionized mathematical communication through his award-winning public outreach that brings abstract concepts to diverse audiences worldwide. His New York Times bestselling memoir Love and Math has been published in over 20 languages and received the Mathematical Association of America's prestigious Euler Book Prize for its exceptional ability to convey the beauty and significance of mathematical thinking. As a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Hermann Weyl Prize in mathematical physics, he continues to innovate through digital platforms including the AfterMath YouTube series and electronic music projects that explore connections between mathematics and artistic expression. Dr. Frenkel's visionary perspective on mathematics as a profound human endeavor that connects us to infinity continues to inspire students, scholars, and the general public, cementing his legacy as both a leading researcher and a transformative communicator of mathematical ideas.
