Yakov Pesin
| Yakov Pesin | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
December 12, 1946 Moscow, USSR (Russia) |
| Residence | United States |
| Fields | Mathematics – Dynamical Systems |
| Institutions | Pennsylvania State University |
| Alma mater | Moscow State University |
| Doctoral advisor | Dmitry Anosov |
| Known for | Pesin theory |
Yakov Borisovich Pesin (Russian: Яков Борисович Песин) was born in Moscow, Russia (former USSR) on December 12, 1946. Pesin is currently a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mathematics and a member of the Center for Dynamics and Geometry at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU). His primary areas of research are the theory of dynamical systems with an emphasis on smooth ergodic theory, dimension theory in dynamical systems, and Riemannian geometry, as well as mathematical and statistical physics.
Pesin became interested in mathematics in school but his real involvement began when he entered the boarding school with emphasis on teaching physics and mathematics that was organized by Andrei Kolmogorov. Following his graduation of the school (with honors) in 1965, he successfully passed entry exams to the Department of Mechanics and Mathematics (or "Mech-Mat") of Moscow State University. Pesin graduated from Moscow State University (also with honors) in 1970, receiving a master's degree in mathematics. His master thesis advisor was Yakov Sinai.
Pesin naturally wanted to pursue a PhD in mathematics but faced significant challenges due to the oppressive nature and anti-Semitic policies of the Soviet regime. Thus, he was not permitted to continue his study at the university graduate school and was subsequently assigned to work at a research institute in Moscow (for a more complete historical account of the anti-Semitic sentiment in the Soviet mathematics establishment during this period see the article).
Since Pesin always dreamed to be a "pure" mathematician, under the circumstances, he chose to combine his work at the institute with his after-hours research in mathematics and within a few years after graduation, he made a number of outstanding breakthroughs in the theory of smooth dynamical systems. His research at this time was conducted under the supervision of his PhD advisor, Dmitry Anosov, and also Anatole Katok.
In 1989 Pesin immigrated to the United States with his family. He first worked as a visiting Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Chicago before getting the position of Full Professor at Penn State University. In 2003 Pesin received the title of Distinguished Professor of mathematics.
Yakov Pesin is married to Natasha Pesin who while in Russia worked for several years as a senior editor in the division of mathematics at the “Prosvechenie” ("Education") Publishing House in Moscow. After moving to the US she started a new carrier as a ceramicist (see her artworks at www.natashapesin.com).
Yakov Pesin also has two daughters, Elena and Irina who reside in the US.
Yakov Pesin is famous for several fundamental discoveries in the theory of dynamical systems (relevant references can be found on Pesin’s website).
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