A 1976 counterexample in several complex variables established the research trajectory of John Erik Fornæss, a mathematician who expanded the understanding of geometry and dynamics involving multiple variables. Born in Hamar, Norway, in 1946, he pursued rigorous academic study across institutions in Norway and abroad before establishing a career centered on complex function theory.
Academic Foundation
Fornæss attended Hamar Cathedral School before enrolling at the University of Oslo. He earned his master's degree in 1970 with a thesis focused on uniform approximation on manifolds. He later relocated for doctoral studies at the University of Washington. Under the supervision of Edgar Lee Stout, he completed his dissertation in 1974, titled Embedding Strictly Pseudoconvex Domains in Convex Domains.
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Upon completing his doctoral studies, Fornæss began a career at Princeton University in 1974. His tenure there progressed through various faculty ranks, starting as an instructor and rising to assistant professor in 1976 and associate professor in 1978. By 1981, he reached the rank of full professor. Since 1991, he has held a professorship at the University of Michigan.
Research Contributions
His primary research concentration involves the geometry and dynamics of functions of various complex variables. Collaborating with Nessim Sibony, he developed a Fatou-Julia theory for two complex variables. His published output includes several edited volumes, such as Dynamics of several complex variables and Recent developments in several complex variables. He also co-authored Lectures on counterexamples in several complex variables with Berit Stensønes.
Professional Recognition
Fornæss is a member of the American Mathematical Society and was elected a fellow of that organization in 2016. He is also a fellow of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. His academic accolades include receiving the Stefan Bergman Prize in 1994. In the mathematical community, he holds an Erdős number of 2.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Hamar Municipality, Norway
- Education: Hamar Cathedral School, University of Oslo, University of Washington
- PhD Thesis: Embedding Strictly Pseudoconvex Domains in Convex Domains (1974)
- Stefan Bergman Prize: 1994
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society: 2016
- Erdős number: 2
- Languages: English, Swedish
Questions readers ask
Which major research area does John Erik Fornæss specialize in?
He concentrates on the geometry and dynamics of functions of various complex variables.
What is his connection to the American Mathematical Society?
He is a member of the society and was elected a fellow in 2016.
Achievements
- Stefan Bergman Prize — 1994
- Held posts at University of Michigan
