Early school experience
1955 Zhang was born in a middle-class family in Shanghai, and his parents were intellectuals. Superior family conditions created an environment for his study and research. In the second year after the resumption of the college entrance examination, Zhang was admitted to the Department of Mathematics in Peking University by his own efforts. He still showed an enviable talent in mathematics at Peking University, and his professional achievements far exceeded the second place.
At that time, Ding, head of the Department of Mathematics in Peking University, appreciated him very much and strongly recommended him to study at Mo Zongjian, an algebra scientist at Purdue University in the United States. He successfully got his master's degree and got the opportunity to study in the United States at public expense. In order to get in touch with the most advanced research results in the world at that time, Zhang finally decided to go to the United States to study for a doctorate.
At this stage, his research goal is to conquer Jacobian conjecture. This conjecture was put forward by mathematician Jacoby in 1939, which is one of the most difficult topics in the field of algebraic geometry. At that time, it took Zhang only two years to overcome this problem. Of course, his thesis was completed on the basis of the research results of his tutor Mo Zongjian.
However, Mo Zongjian's research has been proved to have many mistakes and unproven things by the mathematical community.
At this time, the contradiction between Zhang and Mo Zongjian gradually intensified. Mo Zongjian insisted that there was no problem in his research and pointed out that there were many fallacies in Zhang's paper.
Whether they are right or wrong is a disagreement in mathematics. However, because of the contradiction with his tutor, it took Zhang seven years to get his doctorate, and Zhang struggled in the United States because he didn't get a recommendation letter from his tutor. The absence of a recommendation letter from a tutor indicates that students have misbehaved or made serious mistakes in academic research, so it is very important for students to get a recommendation letter from a position tutor after graduation.
7 years working career
Zhang's obsession with mathematical research and his persistence in academic issues have caused him to run into a wall everywhere in the United States, and no research institution is willing to hire him. In order to make a living, he worked as an accountant in a subway and served as a waiter to wash dishes. He also met his wife who worked as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. During this period, he still didn't give up his math research. In his spare time, he often goes to the library of Kentucky University to read some books on number theory.
It's a pity that this once-hot mathematical genius became a waiter in a fast food restaurant. Zhang's math teacher was then the headmaster of Peking University. After hearing about Zhang's situation, I invited him to return to China as a professor. At this time, the teacher's sincere invitation was really a timely help to Zhang, but Zhang refused this arrangement, saying that he would rather serve dishes in the United States than return to China.
1999 Zhang, with the help of Peking University alumnus Tom Puqi, ended his seven-year working career and obtained the position of temporary lecturer at the University of New Hampshire in the United States. Zhang readjusted his research direction. After giving up Jacobian conjecture, turn to Riemann conjecture.
Dormancy multi-year end device
Although I am only a temporary lecturer at the University of New Hampshire, Zhang doesn't care. As he said, "My heart is calm. I don't care much about money and honor. I like to calm down and do what I like. " Finally, God paid off. In May of 20 13, Zhang made a breakthrough in twin prime numbers, proved a weakened form of twin prime numbers, and won the Cole number theory award in 20 14.
Because of his pioneering work in the conjecture of twin prime numbers, Zhang ranks among the world's heavyweight mathematicians and has been recognized by the mainstream of mathematics.
In August of 20 14, at the international congress of mathematicians held in Seoul, South Korea, Zhang was invited to give a one-hour special lecture before the closing ceremony, which was a privilege only for world-renowned great mathematicians. Drinking ice for ten years is hard to cool blood, and the dormant period of 2 1 year has finally ushered in a bright future.
"Dedicated" players in the field of mathematics
After becoming famous, Zhang did not immerse himself in the pursuit of the outside world, but still devoted himself to studying Riemann conjecture. He used to shut himself in his office and meditate, and all his friends around him knew that his habits would not bother him actively.
Someone asked him, "Do you think mathematicians need talent?" His answer is "focus, never give up your personality." It is such a lonely scholar who is just addicted to his favorite number theory research when others are struggling to publish papers and add professional titles.
Let more talents "be willing to be lonely"
In fact, if we carefully understand Zhang's experience, it can be explained that he would rather make a living by serving dishes in the United States than return to China to enjoy the treatment of professors. He loves his research in this field, so he still enjoys it even when he is a waiter and a delivery man.
Some people may wonder, if you just want to do academic research, can't you go back to China? Is it only suitable for research abroad? If nothing else, from Zhang's point of view, all he needs is a quiet environment relative to fame and fortune.
It is true that under the pressure of reality, it is time-consuming and laborious for researchers to write papers, report titles and award awards. Zhang's words make us realize that people who ask questions in universities must have inner peace, and only by working hard in the research field can they reap amazing research results.
Imagine that if Zhang hadn't published a paper in China without any research results for more than ten years, I'm afraid he would have been fired long ago. Today's society respects personal wishes more and allows you to find a place that suits you better.
Academician Zhang Wenping of Peking University once said: "We should' protect' talents, not' cultivate' talents." This cannot but cause us to ponder. There is no shortage of talents in China. The concept of "Genius makes a teenager since ancient times" is deeply rooted in people's hearts, but China's parents are extremely expecting and even demanding that their children become geniuses. It is in this social phenomenon that how many talents have become "Upper Zhong Yong".
Zhang Yisheng has experienced ups and downs, and now he is just an ordinary lecturer. He is lonely, but he is also happy. He is calm in the face of failure and has a clean heart. Even after he became famous, he still lived as usual.
China's comprehensive strength has been greatly improved, and we are proud of it. Advocating innovative talents and reforming the talent training mechanism are vigorously advocated in China now. I believe that there will be more "lonely" talents in the future, and an academic environment will be created for scholars to concentrate on their research.