12/03/2020

Pinheiro: Palis has a great impact on mathematics in Brazil.

When Rafael Labarca (University of Santiago, Chile) presented a timeline yesterday showcasing Jacob Palis's many achievements, Vilton Pinheiro (UFBA) confessed to feeling a little depressed. "How can a guy accomplish so much while we're just sitting here?" joked the speaker on the second day of the conference honoring Jacob Palis's 80th birthday ("Conference Jacob Palis at IMPA; On the occasion of his 80th birthday").

Pinheiro, who has already participated in the honoree's 60th, 70th, and now 80th birthday celebrations, guarantees his presence at the next party in 10 years. “Jacob has an immense impact on Brazilian mathematics and on the field of dynamical systems in Latin America. This is not just a celebration for him, but for the entire community, which was strongly influenced by him.”

As a way to perpetuate this influence, the event organizers held a raffle for the book “Jacob Palis – Selected Works” for registered students. Odylo Abdalla Costa, a master's student at UFF, was the lucky winner and took the prize home. “I'm in the area of dynamical systems, so coming to this meeting is mandatory,” he commented. “Jacob Palis generates this movement, and that attracts people. I had the opportunity to attend incredible lectures by great names in mathematics.”

Researcher Maria José Pacífico (UFRJ), who was previously married to and has a daughter with Palis, gave a lecture on Lorenz's Attractor . At the end, she showed photos from their long-standing friendship. "Happy birthday Jacob, and congratulations on a well-lived 80 years," she wished.

“I only met him personally a few years ago, but I had been hearing about Jacob since 2010, when I finished my post-doctorate,” said Luna Lomonaco (IMPA). At the time, during a conference in San Pedro de Atacama, the Italian researcher was impressed by the enthusiasm with which people spoke of him. “For me, he became a legendary man, who led this equally legendary institution that is IMPA. I am happy to be part of the celebration of his 80th birthday,” said the researcher.

Artur Lopes (UFRGS) and Sylvain Crovisier (Paris-Sud University) gave the final lectures of the special conference. The event concludes with a celebratory dinner for the participants.

The anniversary celebrations continue tomorrow, this time at PUC-Rio. The 88th EDAÍ meeting , a seminar on dynamical systems organized by the university in conjunction with UFF and UFRJ, honors Palis's 80th birthday. Among the speakers are Roberto Markarian (IMERL, Montevideo, Uruguay), Fernando Lenarduzzi (IMPA), and Jaqueline Siqueira (UFRJ).