Rui Loja Fernandes

Rui Loja Fernandes is the Lois M. Lackner Professor of Mathematics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Department of Mathematics, part of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He currently serves as editor-in-chief of the Illinois Journal of Mathematics and will be on sabbatical during the 2025-26 academic year.

His research focuses on differential geometry, Poisson and symplectic geometry, Lie theory, and integrable systems. He has authored influential works such as Lectures on Poisson Geometry (AMS, 2021) and Lectures on Differential Geometry (World Scientific, 2024), which provide foundational introductions to these fields. His work often addresses global geometric structures, including Poisson manifolds of compact types, Cartan realization problems, and the interplay between Lie algebroids and geometric classification.

Recent publications explore topics like symplectic groupoids, multiplicative connections, and geometric quantization. His research demonstrates a dedication to advancing theoretical frameworks while maintaining connections to broader geometric principles. Fernandes has collaborated with leading mathematicians such as Henrique Bursztyn and Ioan Marcut, contributing to both specialized studies and educational literature in mathematics.

His academic contributions extend beyond research through editorial roles, international conferences (e.g., Poisson 2022 Summer School), and mentorship within the mathematics community.