Using the power of drawing to discern order in nature

For mathematician Joaquim Serra, sketches are a gateway to insight. Sketching out geometric relationships helps him unlock the abstract reasonings required to prove his theorems. On Sunday, he was honoured for his research into partial differential equations with the European Mathematical Society’s EMS Prize. This honour is awarded only every four years, each time to ten researchers under the age of 36.

by Monika Krichel
Joaquim Serra
When Joaquim Serra investigates mathematical properties and objects, he dreams of exposing the pure structures hidden in nature. (Photograph: ETH Zurich / Nicola Pitaro)
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