Guangxi-born Mathematician Wang Hong secures prestigious intl honors

In a remarkable two-day streak, Guangxi-born mathematician Wang Hong claimed two major awards in late October, solidifying her status as a rising star in global mathematics.

On Oct 27, she took home the Gold Medal at the International Congress of Chinese Mathematicians (ICCM), and just one day later, she was named the recipient of the 2025 Salem Prize.

The Salem Prize holds special significance in the mathematical community. It is often seen as a forecast for the Fields Medal, which is frequently referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics."

Wang was recognized for her pioneering contributions, notably her significant role in resolving longstanding open problems in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory, two complex and specialized fields of mathematics.

Wang's academic journey reflects her commitment to her field. Born in Pingle county, Guilin city, in 1991, she started her studies at Peking University, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

She then pursued advanced studies in France, obtaining master's degrees from École Polytechnique and Paris-Sud University in 2014, before completing her PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019.

Earlier this year, Wang had already made waves in the math community. In February, she co-authored a 127-page research paper that proved the "Kakeya Conjecture"–a problem that had confounded mathematicians for more than a century.

The achievement drew widespread acclaim and highlighted her ability to tackle some of the field’s most complex challenges.

Her work has also attracted attention in China's academic circles. When she gave a lecture at Peking University earlier, the venue was full, and Wei Dongyi, a well-known researcher at the university's School of Mathematical Sciences, attended, sitting in the front row during multiple sessions.

Wang lectures at the academic lecture hall of Peking University. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]