The 2003 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology recognized Vasudevan Srinivas for his extensive work in algebraic geometry. Based in Mumbai at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, he developed methods for studying algebraic cycles and contributed significantly to the understanding of singular varieties, K-theory, and commutative algebra throughout his academic career.
Academic Formation
Born in Delhi in 1958, Srinivas completed his undergraduate studies at Bangalore University. He subsequently moved to the University of Chicago, where he earned his MS in 1978 and his PhD in 1982. During his doctoral research, Spencer Bloch served as his supervisor. He joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1983, where he remains a Distinguished Professor.
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Srinivas specializes in algebraic cycles, positive characteristic methods, and K-theory. He introduced the Bloch-Srinivas method of diagonal decomposition to analyze algebraic cycles. His collaborative research includes the resolution of the Zariski problem for linear systems with Steven Dale Cutkosky, characterizing rational singularities with Vikram Mehta, and identifying projective spaces among homogeneous spaces with Kapil Paranjape. His 1986-1987 lectures at TIFR were compiled into the textbook Algebraic K-theory, which serves as a foundational reference for researchers.
Professional Service
Beyond his research, Srinivas maintains an active role in global scientific administration. He served on the International Mathematical Union Executive Committee from 2011 until 2018. He also contributes to the academic community by serving on the editorial boards of multiple mathematics journals.
Honors and Distinctions
Srinivas has received numerous accolades, beginning with the Indian National Science Academy Medal for Young Scientists in 1987 and the B.M. Birla Science Prize in 1995. In 2003, he received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, India's highest science honor in the mathematical sciences category. He is a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Science Academy, the American Mathematical Society, and the Third World Academy of Sciences. Further recognition includes the 2008 TWAS Prize, the 2013 Humboldt Research Award, and a DFG Mercator Fellowship covering 2020 through 2024. He was an invited speaker at the 2010 International Congress of Mathematicians in Hyderabad.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Delhi
- PhD: 1982, University of Chicago
- Current Position: Distinguished Professor, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Major Award: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2003)
- Membership: American Mathematical Society
- Field of Study: Algebraic Geometry
Questions readers ask
What is Vasudevan Srinivas's area of expertise?
He works in algebraic geometry, focusing on algebraic cycles, K-theory, and commutative algebra.
Where does Srinivas hold his professorship?
He is a Distinguished Professor at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
Achievements
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology — 2003
- TWAS Prize for Mathematics — 2008
