Chern Medal (2010-2022)

For his visionary mathematical insights that have had an enduring influence in a wide range of fields, including topology, mathematical physics, representation theory and category theory.

For his profound discoveries in topology, arithmetic geometry and number theory, and his leadership and generosity in forming the next generation of Mathematicians.

Masaki Kashiwara is a Japanese mathematician, professor at Kyoto University's Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences (RIMS) since 1978. He founded D-module theory and advanced microlocal/algebraic analysis, sheaf theory, and Hodge theory. He was awarded the 2025 Abel Prize for his fundamental contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory, in particular the development of the theory of D-modules and the discovery of crystal bases, the first Japanese recipient, for foundational work connecting algebra, analysis, and representation theory; he also holds the Chern Medal.

For his groundbreaking and transformative development of transcendental methods in complex geometry, particularly his seminal work in Hodge theory and periods of algebraic varieties

Louis Nirenberg was a Canadian-American mathematician at NYU's Courant Institute for his entire career, renowned for foundational work on nonlinear elliptic PDEs, including the Newlander-Nirenberg theorem and Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequalities. He shared the 2015 Abel Prize with John Nash for his achievements in non-linear elliptic partial differential equations and for mentoring numerous students and post-docs in this area.; he also held the Chern Medal and the Crafoord Prize.