Mathematics Professor Park Jinhyung Selected as

“Science Technology and Researcher” for March

- Solving the secant variety equation problem, a 100-year endeavor in algebraic geometry -

Professor Park Jinhyung of Sogang University’s Department of Mathematics was selected as the winner for March’s “STAR (Science Technology and Researcher).”

Every month, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the National Research Foundation of Korea selects a “STAR (Science Technology and Researcher)” from research& development personnel contributing to the development of science and technology through excellent research achievements. Those selected are awarded the ministerial prize and 10 million KRW.

Professor Park collaborated with Professor Lawrence Ein of the University of Illinois and Professor Wenbo Niu of the University of Arkansas in the U.S. through joint research on the secant variety equation of the algebraic curve – one of the most difficult problems in modern mathematics – and finally succeeded in solving the problem. The researchers broke long-standing prejudices in mathematics and demonstrated that the secant variety of the algebraic curve has a normal singularity. The research results were recognized as the most outstanding achievement for the secant variety equation and were published in the journal Inventiones Mathematicae in November 2020.

This study was recognized for contributing to the development of algebraic geometry and for raising the status of Korean mathematics on the world stage, as well as for presenting a clue to an effective method for improving the calculation of the metric tensor required for machine learning, big data analysis, and optimization problems. 

Following this achievement, Professor Park said, “This research is significant in developing a systematic research approach that connects the geometrical properties of the secant variety singularities of the algebraic curve and the algebraic properties of the equation.” He added, “Our findings are expected to serve as the basis for subsequent studies on the singular points and equations of the secant variety of the algebraic curve.”