Jul 01, 2025
Jul 01, 2025
She Solved A 70-Year-Old Puzzle & Redefined Global Algebra
Who was told that a mere algebraic puzzle could never yield to human insight? Why did a deep question about abstract geometry persist unanswered for decades? And what does it mean when a woman from Kolkata shatters that barrier with resolve and brilliance?
Neena Gupta did just that. Today she stands as a modern queen of algebra, a mathematician whose achievement resonates far beyond the ivory towers of academia.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Mathematics
Born in Kolkata in 1984, Neena Gupta discovered a passion for mathematics early, pursuing her BSc (Hons) at Bethune College and then a master’s and PhD at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) under Prof. Amartya Dutta. Her doctoral research in commutative algebra and affine geometry paved the way for an astonishing breakthrough in 2014.
Cracking the Zariski Cancellation Problem
For over 70 years, the Zariski Cancellation Problem challenged mathematicians: If adding a line to two algebraic varieties makes them isomorphic, did those varieties originally match? Neena delivered a masterstroke — a counterexample in positive characteristic fields, published in Inventiones Mathematicae. This single result redefined a central question in algebraic geometry and secured her place among the field’s luminaries.
Awards & Accolades
Her accomplishments have earned her every major honor:
A Trailblazer & Role Model
In a field historically dominated by men, Neena Gupta’s success is a beacon for aspiring women mathematicians. Her journey:
The Legacy She Leaves
Neena’s influence extends well beyond her theorem. As a professor at ISI and former visitor at TIFR, she nurtures young minds, fosters academic excellence, and carries forward a legacy of Indian mathematical brilliance rooted in Ramanujan’s spirit.
Final Thought
Is brilliance bound by geography or gender? Can decades-old problems fall silent in the hands of determination? Will Neena Gupta's success inspire the next wave of young women reaching for the stars of science?
Neena Gupta answered them all with a resounding yes.
28-Jun-2025
More by : P. Mohan Chandran