Christopher Derek Hacon

Christopher Derek Hacon is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Utah, holding a Presidential Endowed Chair. His research focuses on algebraic geometry, particularly in birational geometry, minimal model program, and the study of varieties of general type.

• Education: PhD from University of California, Los Angeles (1998), under Robert Lazarsfeld; MS in Mathematics from University of Pisa (1992); BS from Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa.

His work has advanced understanding of birational geometry, including boundedness of pluricanonical maps and existence of minimal models. He has contributed to the classification of algebraic varieties via techniques like flips, flops, and canonical rings.

His publications from 2004–2006 highlight his focus on birational geometry, minimal model program, and varieties of general type, with applications to abelian varieties and singularities.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Clay Research Award (2007)
  • Cole Prize (2009)
  • Feltrinelli Prize (2011)
  • Breakthrough Prize (2018)
  • Fellowships: American Mathematical Society (2012), Royal Society (2019)
  • Membership: National Academy of Sciences (2018), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017)
• Editorial Roles:
  • Editor for Journal of Algebraic Geometry (2009–present)
  • Associate Editor for Journal of Pure and Applied Algebra (2016–present)
  • Editorial Board: Bollettino Unione Matematica Italiana (2014–present), Algebra and Number Theory (2019–present), Peking Mathematical Journal (2019–present)
• Grants & Collaborations: Simons Investigator (2012), Breakthrough Prize funding (2018), and collaborations on the Minimal Model Program with James McKernan and others.