Top prize for maths whiz
THE Geelong-based mum of the second Australian ever awarded the world’s most prestigious mathematical prize is understandably extremely proud of her son’s achievements.
Perth-born maths whiz Professor Akshay Venkatesh, who specialises in pure mathematics and number theory, was among four mathematicians awarded the Fields Medal, often described as the Nobel prize of mathematics.
Prof Venkatesh, 36, who works at Stanford University in the US, received the medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
After winning international maths prizes as a schoolboy, he began a science degree at the University of Western Australia at just 13.
Three years later, he completed his degree with first-class honours, a year ahead of schedule.
His mother Svetha Venkatesh, a computer science professor at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds, is thrilled by her son’s award.
“His father and I are delighted he has been awarded the Fields Medal,” she said.
“Of course I’m proud of his achievements in mathematics, but as a parent I’m most proud of the person he is.”
Prof Svetha Venkatesh is director of the Strategic Research Centre for Pattern Recognition and Data Analytics at Deakin, specialising in machine learning, probabilistic models, data mining, health analytics, multimedia and social media analysis.
The Fields Medal is awarded once every four years to between two and four researchers up to the age of 40 in recognition of their mathematical achievement.
This year’s other winners were German Peter Scholze, 30, Iranian Caucher Birkar, 40, and Italian Alessio Figalli, 34.
The last Australian to be awarded the Fields Medal was Prof Terrence Tao in 2006.