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:

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2019), the highest scientific recognition in India.
• ICTP-IMU Ramanujan Prize (2021), a rare honor for Indian female mathematicians.
• Infosys Prize in Mathematical Sciences (2024), affirming her ongoing impact.
• Fellowships from INSA, IASc, TWAS, and the prestigious Emmy Noether Lecture invitation from AWM & AMS.

A Trailblazer & Role Model

In a field historically dominated by men, Neena Gupta’s success is a beacon for aspiring women mathematicians. Her journey:

• Proved that deep problems yield to curiosity and perseverance
• Demonstrated that genius takes many forms and thrives around the world
• Inspired a generation with her message: “Mathematics belongs to the curious, the patient, the bold.”

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.