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Wang Hong and Deng Yu have been awarded the prestigious Fields Medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians, according to an official announcement by the International Mathematical Union.
Historic Fields Medals Awarded at the 2026 International Congress
The International Congress of Mathematicians formally opened its 2026 gathering in Philadelphia, bringing together researchers from around the globe to examine breakthroughs in the discipline. According to the International Mathematical Union, the Fields Medal is awarded every four years to mathematicians under the age of 40 to recognize both current contributions and future potential. Wang and Deng were named among the four recipients for this edition.
Wang’s recognition carries special symbolic weight for the mathematics community. Wang is widely recognized for her work with Joshua Zahl on the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture, a classic problem at the intersection of analysis and geometry that challenged researchers for decades. Wang currently serves as a full professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques.
Resolving Historic Mathematical Conjectures
In collaboration with Ma Xiao and Zaher Hani, Deng achieved a major breakthrough regarding David Hilbert’s sixth problem.
The dual medal win by Wang and Deng highlights the global reach and research output of mathematics programs at the university.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fields Medal?
According to the International Mathematical Union, the Fields Medal is awarded every four years to recognize outstanding mathematical achievement for researchers under the age of 40.
Who won the 2026 Fields Medals?
Wang Hong and Deng Yu were among the four mathematicians awarded the medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia.
What mathematical problems did the 2026 winners solve?
Wang worked on the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture with Joshua Zahl, while Deng collaborated with Ma Xiao and Zaher Hani to build a framework addressing Hilbert’s sixth problem.
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