Ragni Piene earned her doctorate in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976 under the supervision of Steven Kleiman. Her dissertation, titled Plücker Formulas, established a technical foundation for her subsequent research in algebraic geometry, specifically focusing on intersection theory and enumerative results. She continues to contribute to the field from her base in Norway.
Academic Foundation and Early Training
Piene completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Oslo in 1969. Following this, she attended the Université de Paris, where she received a DEA in 1970. Her transition to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology allowed her to finalize her formal training, culminating in the 1976 doctoral thesis that defined her specialization in algebraic geometry.
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The University of Oslo serves as the primary institution for Piene's teaching and research career. In 1987, she was appointed as a professor, a role in which she has mentored students and continued her investigations into specialized geometric problems. Her work reflects the shift toward increased abstraction in twentieth-century mathematics, applying theoretical methods to complex structural questions.
Professional Service and Recognition
Piene holds memberships in the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, and the Academia Europaea. Her international service includes a position on the executive committee of the International Mathematical Union starting in 2003. She also chaired the Abel Committee for two terms between 2010 and 2014. In 2013, the American Mathematical Society recognized her contributions to the field by naming her a fellow.
Public Engagement
Beyond her technical research and administrative duties, Piene features as one of the subjects in the Women of Mathematics exhibition. This project highlights the careers of researchers in the discipline, documenting their contributions and providing context for the development of modern mathematical institutions.
Fast facts
- Born: 18 January 1947, Oslo, Norway
- Doctoral Advisor: Steven Kleiman
- Doctoral Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Academic Rank: Professor, University of Oslo
- Field of Specialization: Algebraic Geometry
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society: 2013
- Abel Committee Chair: 2010–2011 to 2013–2014
Questions readers ask
What is Ragni Piene's primary field of research?
She specializes in algebraic geometry, with a specific focus on intersection theory and enumerative results.
Did she hold any leadership roles in international mathematics?
Yes, she served on the executive committee of the International Mathematical Union and chaired the Abel Committee.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Oslo
- Fields: algebraic geometry and mathematics
