Simon Brendle

Simon Brendle is a German-American mathematician and Professor of Mathematics at Columbia University, having previously served as professor at Stanford University from 2005 to 2016. He also held visiting positions at MIT, ETH Zürich, Princeton University, and Cambridge University.

Education:

• Dr. rer. nat. (2001), University of Tübingen, advised by Gerhard Huisken

Research Interests: Simon Brendle works at the intersection of differential geometry and nonlinear partial differential equations. His core areas include conformal geometry, Ricci flow, mean curvature flow, and minimal surface theory. He has resolved celebrated problems such as the differentiable sphere theorem, the Lawson conjecture, and the convergence of the Yamabe flow in all dimensions.

His work often involves deep analysis of geometric evolution equations, exploring singularity formation, uniqueness of self-similar solutions, and rigidity phenomena under curvature conditions.

Publications Overview: Brendle’s recent articles span breakthrough results on minimal tori in the 3-sphere, rotational symmetry of Ricci-flow singularities, scalar-curvature deformations, and curvature-pinching theorems. Collectively these works advance understanding of geometric flows, global structure theorems, and the interplay between curvature and topology.

Awards & Honors:

• 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics
• 2017 Fermat Prize
• 2017 Simons Investigator Award
• 2014 Bôcher Prize (AMS)
• 2012 EMS Prize
• 2006 Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship
• Delivered the 2012 Euler Lecture and 2011 Takagi Lectures

PhD Advising & Grants: Brendle has mentored doctoral students including Otis Chodosh, now a leading researcher in geometric analysis. His research has been supported by prestigious grants, most notably the Simons Investigator Award.

Laboratories & Collaborations: While no formal laboratory is listed, Brendle actively collaborates with leading mathematicians worldwide, including Richard Schoen, Fernando C. Marques, and André Neves, frequently working at the intersection of geometry and analysis.