Leonid Vaserštein
Encyclopedia
Leonid Vaseršteĭn is a Russian
-American
mathematician
, currently Professor
of Mathematics
at Penn State University. His research is focused on algebra
and dynamical systems. He is well known for providing a simple proof of the Quillen–Suslin theorem
, a result in commutative algebra
, first conjectured by Jean-Pierre Serre
in 1955, and then proved by Daniel Quillen and Andrei Suslin
in 1976.
Vaseršteĭn got his Master's degree
and doctorate
in Moscow State University
, where he was until 1978. He then moved to Europe
and United States
.
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, currently Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at Penn State University. His research is focused on algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
and dynamical systems. He is well known for providing a simple proof of the Quillen–Suslin theorem
Quillen–Suslin theorem
The Quillen–Suslin theorem, also known as Serre's problem or Serre's conjecture, is a theorem in commutative algebra about the relationship between free modules and projective modules over polynomial rings...
, a result in commutative algebra
Commutative algebra
Commutative algebra is the branch of abstract algebra that studies commutative rings, their ideals, and modules over such rings. Both algebraic geometry and algebraic number theory build on commutative algebra...
, first conjectured by Jean-Pierre Serre
Jean-Pierre Serre
Jean-Pierre Serre is a French mathematician. He has made contributions in the fields of algebraic geometry, number theory, and topology.-Early years:...
in 1955, and then proved by Daniel Quillen and Andrei Suslin
Andrei Suslin
Andrei Suslin is a Russian mathematician who has made major contributions to the field of algebra, especially algebraic K-theory and its connections with algebraic geometry. He is currently a Trustee Chair and Professor of mathematics at Northwestern University.He was born on December 27, 1950,...
in 1976.
Vaseršteĭn got his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
, where he was until 1978. He then moved to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.