An afternoon of scientific presentations and an evening of celebration honored the extraordinary mathematical achievements of the SCGP professor and one of the world’s leading researchers in geometry and topology.
On October 29, 2026, the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics (SCGP), in collaboration with the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost at Stony Brook University, hosted a special event celebrating John Pardon, professor of mathematics and SCGP faculty member. Pardon was awarded the 2026 Fields Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to geometry and topology. Bringing together leading mathematicians, university leadership, and representatives of the Simons Foundation, the event honored Pardon’s remarkable research achievements and the broader significance of his work for the mathematical community.
Often regarded as mathematics’ highest distinction, the Fields Medal recognizes outstanding mathematical achievement and the promise of future contributions. Awarded every four years to mathematicians under the age of 40, the medal is among the most prestigious honors in the discipline. Pardon was one of four recipients of the 2026 award, recognized for his achievements in symplectic geometry, including new approaches to virtual fundamental cycles, Fukaya categories, and the counting of holomorphic curves, as well as his contributions to group actions on three-manifolds and knot theory.
The celebration at the SCGP offered an opportunity to recognize not only the significance of these achievements, but also the intellectual contributions that have established Pardon as an influential figure in contemporary mathematics.
A Tribute to Mathematical Discovery
The afternoon began with a Presentation of Scholarship in the Simons Center auditorium. SCGP Director Ludmil Katzarkov welcomed participants before introducing a program of scientific presentations honoring Pardon’s work.
The speakers included Yakov Eliashberg, the Herald L. and Caroline L. Ritch Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University and a trustee of the Simons Center; Mohammed Abouzaid, professor of mathematics at Stanford University; Nikita Nekrasov, professor at the SCGP and Stony Brook University’s C. N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics; and Ernesto Lupercio of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in Mexico City.
Their participation reflected the breadth of the mathematical community connected to Pardon’s research and the importance of his contributions across geometry and topology. The presentations provided a scientific context for the recognition, highlighting a body of work that has advanced the understanding of fundamental mathematical structures and addressed longstanding questions in the field.
Pardon’s research lies at the intersection of geometry and topology, with particular emphasis on symplectic geometry and the study of pseudoholomorphic curves. These subjects explore deep relationships between geometric structures, the behavior of curves on mathematical spaces, and the topological properties of those spaces. A central aspect of his work concerns the mathematical frameworks needed to count such curves reliably. These counting problems are important in symplectic topology and connect to broader developments in geometry and mathematical physics. Pardon has introduced new approaches to constructing virtual fundamental cycles and developing Fukaya categories, contributing tools that help mathematicians study spaces and structures that can be difficult to analyze using conventional methods.
His work also extends beyond symplectic geometry. Earlier contributions to topology include results concerning group actions on three-manifolds and knot theory, demonstrating the range of problems to which he has brought his distinctive mathematical insight. Together, these achievements reflect the depth and originality recognized by the Fields Medal.
Celebrating Excellence at Stony Brook
The scientific program was followed by A Celebration of Excellence, hosted in the Simons Center’s Della Pietra Family Auditorium. The gathering brought together representatives of Stony Brook University and the Simons Foundation to recognize Pardon’s achievement and its significance for the institution. Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith welcomed attendees, followed by remarks from Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost, and David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Marilyn Simons, co-founder and chair of the Simons Foundation, joined Yuri Tschinkel, executive vice president for mathematics and physical sciences at the Simons Foundation and an SCGP trustee, and Jeff Fuqua, also a trustee of the Center, in offering congratulatory remarks. Pardon was also featured in the program, with Katzarkov delivering the closing remarks.
The participation of university and foundation leadership underscored the broader institutional significance of the occasion. Pardon’s Fields Medal represents a major achievement for the university’s mathematical community and reflects the importance of supporting ambitious, fundamental research.
A Community Celebrates
The day concluded with a reception in the Simons Center lobby, accompanied by a musical performance by the university’s Department of Music. The gathering offered colleagues, collaborators, and members of the university community an opportunity to celebrate Pardon’s achievement and share in the occasion.
In his brief remarks, Pardon reflected on the collaborative nature of mathematics and the importance of the community surrounding his work. “Mathematics is a collaborative enterprise of community effort, and it’s a great privilege of my life to be a part of such a wonderful community, with such wonderful colleagues,” he said. “Any awards I get are definitely secondary to all of the support I receive from you.”
His words offered a fitting perspective on the significance of the occasion, shifting the focus from individual recognition to the collective intellectual effort and collegial support that sustain mathematical discovery.
Pardon’s Fields Medal honors research that has made a lasting impact on geometry and topology while opening new avenues for future work. His achievement is a source of great pride for the Simons Center and Stony Brook University, and a celebration of the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of the mathematical enterprise.
