05/04/2018

Journal of Science highlights honor bestowed upon Jacob Palis

Reproduction from the Journal of Science

Jacob Palis, emeritus researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematics (IMPA), was decorated by the French government as an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, a centuries-old honor instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte that rewards the merits of military or civilians to the French nation.

The National Order of the Legion of Honor has five ranks – Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross – and among the Brazilians who have received the commendation are Dom Pedro II and former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, honored as Grand Masters. They are the only ones ahead of the IMPA scientist. In 2005, Palis was decorated as a Knight of the same order.

For the researcher, the honor is more of an achievement for Brazilian science as a whole than an individual success. "At a time when Brazilian mathematics, my field, is being promoted to the world elite, I take the liberty of saying that this honor is a very significant tribute received from the French government for Brazilian science, more so than for me as an individual," Palis proudly states.

The award ceremony took place on the evening of Monday, March 26, at the headquarters of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), and was attended by the Consul General of France in Rio de Janeiro, Jean-Paul Guihaumé, who presented the award.

The representative of the French government stated that the awarding of the title to Jacob Palis is due not only to the partnerships the mathematician has established with France, but also to his work as a disseminator and promoter of science. "Professor Jacob Palis's tireless efforts in forging scientific partnerships with France and his dedication to expanding science have attracted the attention and pride of the French government," said Guilhaumé.

Palis said he was surprised by the new tribute, but received it with joy during the ceremony that brought together many leading figures in Brazilian science, authorities, and family members of the mathematician.

Present were the National Secretary for Technological Development of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC), Álvaro Prata; the director of the National Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (Impa), Marcelo Viana; the scientific and technological directors of the Rio de Janeiro State Research Support Foundation (Faperj), Jerson Lima e Silva and Eliete Bouskela, respectively; the president of the Brazilian Industrial Research and Innovation Company (Embrapii), Jorge Guimarães; and the director of Scientific and Technological Development of the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (Finep), Wanderley de Souza.