The University of Miami (UM) hosted the Lefschetz Centennial Conference from March 24th to March 29th, a tribute to the influential American mathematician Solomon Lefschetz, one of the great figures in the fields of Topology, Algebraic Geometry, and Differential Equations. The event was organized by the Institute of Mathematical Sciences of the Americas (IMSA) and brought together leading mathematics researchers, enthusiasts, and academics from around the world.
The six-day conference featured plenary sessions and roundtable discussions with scientists from a variety of mathematical disciplines. The program began each morning and continued through the afternoon, held in the main auditorium of UM's Lakeside Village Pavilion.
Researchers and experts in Mathematical Sciences attended the Lefschetz Centennial celebration at the University of Miami | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
Speakers at the conference included Ernesto Lupercio, executive member of IMSA and researcher at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV) in Mexico; Dennis Sullivan and Nikita Nekrasov, professors at Stony Brook University; Alberto Verjovsky, researcher at the Institute of Mathematics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); John Morgan, mathematician at Columbia University; Mina Teicher, professor of Mathematics and Neuroscience at the University of Miami; Jaqueline Mesquita, president of the Brazilian Mathematical Society; and others.
The Relevance of Lefschetz
Guillermo ‘Willy’ Prado, Interim Provost of the University of Miami, praised the presence of so many leading researchers at the event. The conference successfully attracted prominent names from the scientific community in honor of Lefschetz, whose work shaped the course of modern mathematics.
Guillermo "Willy" Prado, Interim VP of Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Miami at Lakeside Village Pavilion | Photo: Natalia Leal/IMSA
“It is truly a pleasure to be part of an event with such incredibly talented people who work with such resilience. It is an honor to celebrate this event with researchers who today are members of esteemed entities like the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. I can only express my gratitude to everyone and to IMSA, which regularly hosts events with programs like this one,” said Prado, Interim Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost of the University of Miami.
Phillip Griffiths, a professor at the university who was present at the event, recalled hearing stories about Lefschetz during his undergraduate research. He described Lefschetz as a combative figure who challenged students and created an atmosphere of excellence within his academic circle.
IMSA Scientific Committee member Phillip Griffiths highlighted Lefschetz's combative character and how this influenced Mathematics | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
“I once wrote an article about him, and one of the points I made was that he was combative. He liked to challenge students. I heard from my advisor that Lefschetz’s relationship with university deans was not always harmonious. It was because of this personality that he attracted high-quality graduate students,” Griffiths said. Griffiths also sits on IMSA’s Scientific Committee.
During one of the event’s plenary sessions, Janet Verjovsky, wife of Alberto Verjovsky, shared insights about her husband's close relationship with Lefschetz. Lefschetz, she said, played a critical role in Alberto’s academic journey.
At the conference, Janet Verjovsky gave details of her husband Alberto's relationship with Solomon Lefschetz | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
“I knew Lefschetz was a great hero to Alberto and that he was responsible for his entry into Brown University. He was always concerned about Alberto’s well-being, making sure everything was okay. I admired and respected their friendship. He was a very charming gentleman when he came to visit us,” Janet revealed.
Lefschetz’s Influence on South America
Lefschetz’s relationship with South America, particularly Brazil, is exemplified in his partnership with Maurício Peixoto, former president of the Brazilian Mathematical Society and one of the founders of the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA) in Rio de Janeiro.
In the 1950s, Peixoto was introduced to the concept of Structural Stability—an area in which he would become a world reference—thanks to Lefschetz's influence. In 1957, Lefschetz invited Peixoto to spend a season at Princeton University, where he taught. This connection helped Peixoto become a leading figure in Mathematical Sciences.
Brazilian scientist Carlos Aragão revealed Lefschetz's influence on Maurício Peixoto for the subsequent creation of Peixoto's Theorem, so important in Modern Mathematics | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
Carlos Aragão, a Brazilian scientist and member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, participated in a roundtable at the conference, connecting the stories of Lefschetz and Peixoto. “Lefschetz’s influence helped Maurício carry out the work that led to the 'Peixoto Theorem,' which introduced the study of Structural Stability in Dynamical Systems. This was a milestone for both Brazilian mathematics and global science,” said Aragão.
Winner of the 2022 Abel Prize, mathematician Dennis Sullivan was one of IMSA's guests for the Lefschetz Centennial | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
Dennis Sullivan, who won the Abel Prize in 2022, one of the highest honors in mathematics, acknowledged that Lefschetz’s contributions are often overlooked in deeper studies of mathematics. He explained that Lefschetz helped bring a more intuitive approach to mathematical relationships.
“When I was learning about concepts in Topology and Algebraic Topology in the early 70s, I realized that geometric apologists didn’t care much about algebra’s advancement, and algebraic techniques didn’t care much about geometry. Lefschetz’s way of engaging with students, questioning and challenging them, changed the way we view mathematics,” Sullivan commented.
The Importance of Brazilian Representation
Jaqueline Mesquita was one of the plenary speakers at the Lefschetz Centennial and is part of the current Scientific Committee of IMSA | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/IMSA
Jaqueline Mesquita, president of the Brazilian Mathematical Society, emphasized the importance of Brazilian representation at global conferences such as the Lefschetz Centennial. “The event brought together prominent authorities, including Abel Prize winners, which further reinforces the significance of Brazilian participation. Professor Carlos Aragão’s contribution was central in sharing the rich historical connection between Brazilian mathematics and Lefschetz,” she said.
Columbia University professor John Morgan was another world-renowned mathematician present at the IMSA event | Photo: Leonardo Zacarin/SBM
The University of Miami will host another major event in the near future. From July 21st to July 25th, IMSA will organize the Mathematical Congress of the Americas (MCA), one of the most important events on the 2025 scientific calendar.
