Ludovic Rifford

Ludovic Rifford is a Professor of Mathematics at Université Côte d'Azur and holds the CNRS-AIMS Chair in Mathematics at AIMS-Senegal (2023-2027). He has held visiting positions at institutions including Universidad de Chile, Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (Berkeley), and Centro de Modelamiento Matemático. His research focuses on Sub-Riemannian Geometry, Optimal Transport, and Control Theory.

Education:

• PhD in Mathematics, Université Lyon I (2000)
• Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, Université Paris XI (2005)

Rifford's work addresses fundamental problems in geometric control theory, including the Sard Conjecture for sub-Riemannian structures, regularity of optimal transport maps, and Hamilton-Jacobi equations. His 2025 preprints explore mixed convex integration and analytic minimal rank Sard conjectures.

Scientific Awards:

• Junior Member, Institut Universitaire de France (2011-2016)

He has organized numerous international workshops in Africa, including the Conference at the Frontiers of Sub-Riemannian Geometry (2024) and Differential Geometry at AIMS-Senegal (2024), emphasizing his commitment to scientific collaboration between France and Africa.