# Maryna Viazovska

> Ukrainian mathematician (born 1984)

**Wikidata**: [Q23721911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23721911)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryna_Viazovska)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maryna-viazovska

## Summary
Maryna Viazovska is a Ukrainian mathematician born in 1984, renowned for her groundbreaking work in number theory and geometry. She is best known for proving the existence of the optimal packing of spheres in eight dimensions, a problem that had stumped mathematicians for decades. Her research has significantly advanced the field of discrete geometry and its applications.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 2, 1984
- **Nationality**: Ukrainian
- **Education**: 
  - Studied at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  - Earned degrees from the University of Bonn and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- **Known for**: Solving the sphere packing problem in eight dimensions
- **Employer(s)**: 
  - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
  - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  - Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
- **Field(s)**: Number theory, geometry, discrete mathematics

## Contributions
- **Sphere Packing Breakthrough (2016)**: Proved the optimality of the E8 lattice for sphere packing in eight dimensions, a result published in *Annals of Mathematics*.
- **Modular Forms Research**: Contributed to the study of modular forms and their applications in number theory.
- **Interdisciplinary Work**: Applied geometric methods to problems in coding theory and cryptography.
- **Academic Leadership**: Served as a professor at EPFL and contributed to the development of mathematical research in Ukraine through collaborations with the Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

## FAQs
**What is Maryna Viazovska's most notable achievement?**  
She solved the longstanding problem of optimal sphere packing in eight dimensions, proving the E8 lattice's optimality in 2016.

**Where has Maryna Viazovska worked?**  
She has held positions at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and collaborated with the Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

**What fields of mathematics does Maryna Viazovska specialize in?**  
Her primary areas of expertise are number theory, geometry, and discrete mathematics, with a focus on sphere packing and modular forms.

**What awards has Maryna Viazovska received?**  
She has been honored with the Salem Prize, Clay Research Award, European Prize in Combinatorics, SASTRA Ramanujan Prize, Ruth Lyttle Satter Prize, Fermat Prize, Nationaler Latsis Award, EMS Prize, and the Fields Medal, among others.

## Why They Matter
Maryna Viazovska's work has revolutionized the field of discrete geometry, addressing problems with implications for coding theory, cryptography, and materials science. Her solution to the eight-dimensional sphere packing problem, a question posed by Henry Cohn and others, demonstrated the power of combining modular forms with geometric insights. This breakthrough not only advanced theoretical mathematics but also opened new avenues for applications in communications technology and data compression. Her achievements have inspired a new generation of mathematicians to explore interdisciplinary approaches to classical problems.

## Notable For
- **Fields Medal Laureate (2022)**: Recognized for her transformative work in geometry and number theory.
- **First Female Fields Medalist from Ukraine**: Pioneering achievements in a historically male-dominated field.
- **Interdisciplinary Innovator**: Bridged abstract mathematics with practical applications in technology and science.
- **Global Academic Leadership**: Held prestigious positions at leading European universities and promoted mathematical research in Ukraine.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Maryna Viazovska was born on December 2, 1984, in Ukraine. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, later earning advanced degrees from the University of Bonn and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Her academic trajectory reflects a strong foundation in pure mathematics, with a focus on number theory and geometry.

### Career and Research
Viazovska's career has been marked by significant contributions to discrete geometry and number theory. Her 2016 breakthrough on sphere packing in eight dimensions, published in *Annals of Mathematics*, resolved a problem that had resisted solution for over 40 years. This work built on her research into modular forms and their geometric applications, showcasing her ability to synthesize diverse mathematical disciplines.

### Academic Affiliations
- **École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)**: Professor of Mathematics, contributing to the institution's reputation in geometric research.
- **Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin**: Held a professorship, enhancing the university's profile in number theory.
- **Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine**: Collaborated on projects promoting mathematical excellence in Ukraine, underscoring her commitment to fostering research in her home country.

### Awards and Recognition
Viazovska's accolades include the prestigious Fields Medal (2022), awarded for her outstanding contributions to mathematics. She has also received the Salem Prize, Clay Research Award, and SASTRA Ramanujan Prize, among others, recognizing her influence across multiple mathematical domains.

### Legacy and Influence
Beyond her technical achievements, Viazovska has become a role model for women in mathematics, particularly in Eastern Europe. Her work has stimulated collaboration between theoretical mathematicians and applied scientists, driving innovation in materials science and telecommunications. The interdisciplinary nature of her research ensures continued relevance in both academic and industrial contexts, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in modern mathematics.

## References

1. [In Times of Scarcity, War and Peace, a Ukrainian Finds the Magic in Math. 2022](https://www.quantamagazine.org/ukrainian-mathematician-maryna-viazovska-wins-fields-medal-20220705/)
2. [Source](https://www.heidi.news/sciences/en-quoi-consistent-les-travaux-de-maryna-viazovska-primee-par-le-prix-latsis)
3. [Source](https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=ru&user=KntSJpQAAAAJ&view_op=list_works)
4. [Source](https://actu.epfl.ch/news/an-epfl-mathematician-is-awarded-a-fields-medal/)
5. [Breakthrough Prize – “The Oscars Of Science” – Celebrates Top Achievements In Physics, Life Sciences & Mathematics, Awards $22 Million In Prizes At Gala Televised Ceremony In Silicon Valley](https://breakthroughprize.org/News/41)
6. [Source](https://www.ams.org/prizes-awards/pabrowse.cgi?parent_id=35)
7. [Source](https://euro-math-soc.eu/news/20/05/8/prize-winners-announced)
8. [Source](https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal/fields-medals-2022)
9. [Decree of the President of Ukraine. 2022](https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/4962022-43293)
10. [Source](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-75af095e-21f7-41b0-9c5f-a96a5e0615c1)
11. [Source](https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/actualites/sorbonne-universite-honore-huit-personnalites-dexception)
12. [Source](https://day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/cuspilstvo/nayprostisha-nauka)
13. Ukrainian Wikipedia
14. [Українка Марина Вязовська - друга жінка, яка отримала найпрестижнішу математичну нагороду. 2022](https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/news-62040884)
15. [An EPFL mathematician is awarded a Fields Medal. 2022](https://actu.epfl.ch/news/an-epfl-mathematician-is-awarded-a-fields-medal/)
16. Mathematics Genealogy Project