T is for Tsimerman

This week, it will be announced that Jacob Tsimerman is a winner of the 2026 Fields Medal for mathematics. Apparently, he proved the André-Oort Conjecture without assuming the Riemann Hypothesis (something that has stumped mathematicians for 30 years). And, if you understand it, please call me to explain.

Tsimerman was shortlisted for this prize when the Be Giant session was scheduled.

We shot at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton, NJ, and it was amusing dealing with the communications team. To say that they were obsessed with not being Princeton University is an understatement. They mentioned it at least four times over our visit. They might as well be wearing t-shirts saying “You're Not at Princeton.“

Jacob is from Russia but grew up in Toronto, Canada. Perhaps some of his thinking comes from having connections with multiple very different cultures.

When he first met him in a common area at the Institute, he was wearing a sweaty t-shirt and athletic shorts. I thought to myself, “This guy actually looks like a contemporary mathematician.” He said that he would pop by his residence to change into something more presentable for the shoot, likely long pants. I preferred what he was wearing, as it was more distinctive and probably reflected his character more. Nevertheless, congratulations, Mr. Tsimerman!

Top Image: Jacob Tsimerman, photographed at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, NJ, June 30, 2026.

Second Image: Tsimerman recreates the Einstein-Oppenheimer meetup at IAS (not really).

Bottom Image: A BTS shot by Sophia Pallwein-Prettner.