The Doctor of Science thesis, Asymptotics of Integrals and Algebro-Geometric Invariants of Critical Points of Functions, secured Alexander Varchenko his advanced degree in 1982. This work solidified his position within the Soviet mathematical community, laying the groundwork for a career that would later span international borders and influence the development of singularity theory and quantum integrable systems.
Early Mathematical Training
Born in Krasnodar in 1949, Varchenko attended the Moscow Kolmogorov boarding school No. 18 between 1964 and 1966. During this period, he received instruction from Andrey Kolmogorov and Ya. A. Smorodinsky. He continued his studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, graduating in 1971 under the supervision of Vladimir Arnold. His early research focus culminated in his 1974 Ph.D. thesis, which explored topological equisingularity within families of algebraic maps.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Career Progression in Russia
Following his doctoral research, Varchenko held a research scientist position at Moscow State University from 1974 to 1984. His academic recognition grew during this time, marked by the Moscow Mathematical Society Award in 1973. In 1985, he transitioned to the Gubkin Institute of Gas and Oil, where he served as a professor until 1990. He was an invited speaker at the 1974 International Congress of Mathematicians in Vancouver and delivered a plenary address at the 1990 event in Kyoto.
Transition to International Academia
In 1991, Varchenko joined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he assumed the role of Ernest Eliel Professor. His research output expanded to include geometry, topology, combinatorics, and mathematical physics. He authored and co-authored several significant texts, including the two-volume Singularities of Differentiable Maps with V.I. Arnold and S.M. Gusein-Zade, as well as works on multidimensional hypergeometric functions and representation theory.
Professional Honors and Affiliations
Throughout his tenure in the United States, Varchenko has maintained active engagement with the mathematical community as a member of the American Mathematical Society. In 2023, the Society named him a Fellow in recognition of his sustained contributions to real algebraic geometry and quantum integrable systems. He is also a Simons Fellow, further reflecting his standing in the field of modern mathematical research.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Krasnodar
- Education: Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Ph.D. Year: 1974
- Doctor of Science Year: 1982
- Current Position: Ernest Eliel Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- AMS Fellow: 2023
- Primary Fields: Geometry, Combinatorics, Mathematical Physics
Questions readers ask
What subjects does Alexander Varchenko research?
He specializes in geometry, topology, combinatorics, and mathematical physics.
Where does he hold an academic professorship?
Since 1991, he has served as the Ernest Eliel Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Achievements
- Held posts at Lomonosov Moscow State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fields: geometry, combinatorics and mathematical physics
