PIMS Distinguished Lecture: Cédric Villani

It has been more than hundred years since the death of Henri Poincaré, the world’s greatest mathematician (as we like to say in France, and abroad as well). From the onset, Poincaré’s work and writings, and himself as a universalist and continue to be one of the main symbols of creativity of the human mind and spirit. His errors, however prove that even the greatest, make mistakes. Let us celebrate Poincare, probably the best mathematician in his time, through its accomplishments, inspiring thoughts and remarkable mistakes, at the heart of the creative process.

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Cédric Villani is the Director of the Institut Henri Poincaré, France’s prime and oldest international institute for research in mathematical sciences. He has received many mathematical awards, including the Fields Medal in 2010, often considered the most prestigious in mathematics. Prof. Villani is a specialist of mathematical analysis applied to problems of statistical physics, geometry and probability. His books on gas theory and optimal transport theory have become classics.