The 2013 publication of the study on uniform random plane quadrangulations marked a shift in understanding the Brownian map as a universal scaling limit. Born in Paris in 1979, Grégory Miermont has spent his career examining the intersection of probability theory, random trees, and random planar maps within the French academic system.
Academic Foundation
Miermont completed his initial training in the French preparatory system, specifically the classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles, before entering the École Normale Supérieure in 1998. He remained there until 2002, which included a stint as a visiting student at Berkeley during the 2001–2002 academic year. He finalized his doctoral studies in 2003 at Pierre and Marie Curie University, working under the guidance of Jean Bertoin. Following his thesis, he earned his habilitation dissertation in 2008.
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His professional career began in 2004 when he became a researcher for the National Center for Scientific Research, affiliated with the University of Paris-Sud and the École Normale Supérieure. He attained the rank of professor in 2009. By 2012, he transitioned to the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, where he continues to hold a professorship. He is also a member of the Institut Universitaire de France and the Unit of Mathematics, Pure and Applied.
Research Contributions
Miermont specializes in the theory of probability. His research focuses on the geometry of random planar maps and the scaling limits of these structures. His early work involved self-similar fragmentations derived from stable trees, notably investigating splitting at heights. He has also explored tessellations of random maps across arbitrary genera. His academic output includes papers such as the 2013 Acta Mathematica article describing the Brownian map.
Awards and Recognition
The mathematical community has recognized Miermont's research through several prizes. In 2007, he received the Prize of the Fondation des Sciences Mathématiques de Paris. He was awarded the Rollo Davidson Prize in 2009, followed by the Prize of the European Mathematical Society in 2012. In 2014, he was the recipient of the Doeblin Prize. Subsequently, he was honored with a CNRS silver medal in 2018.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 July 1979, Paris
- Citizenship: France
- Doctorate: Pierre and Marie Curie University, 2003
- Current Position: Professor, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
- Major Awards: Rollo Davidson Prize (2009), CNRS silver medal (2018)
- Doctoral Advisor: Jean Bertoin
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Grégory Miermont's research?
He specializes in probability theory, specifically regarding the geometry, scaling limits, and fragmentation of random planar maps and trees.
Where does Miermont currently teach?
He is a professor at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, a position he has held since 2012.
Achievements
- Rollo Davidson Prize — 2009
- CNRS silver medal — 2018
- Held posts at University of Paris-Sud, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon and École Normale Supérieure
- Fields: mathematics
