Maryam Mirzakhani

Maryam Mirzakhani (May 12, 1977 – July 14, 2017) was an Iranian mathematician and professor at Stanford University who revolutionized our understanding of curved surfaces and their geometric properties. Born in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War, she showed exceptional mathematical talent from childhood, becoming Iran's first International Mathematical Olympiad gold medalist in 1994. Her doctoral work at Harvard University focused on Riemann surfaces and moduli spaces, earning her international recognition. In 2014, at age 37, she became the first and, to date, only woman to win the Fields Medal—often called the Nobel Prize of Mathematics—for her work on the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces and their moduli spaces. Her elegant proofs and innovative approaches influenced multiple areas of mathematics. Mirzakhani was also a devoted mother and passionate educator who inspired countless students. Her unexpected death from cancer at age 40 was mourned globally by the mathematical community, and her legacy continues to inspire women in STEM fields.