US professor first woman to win 'Nobel for math'

Professor Karen Keskulla Uhlenbeck became the first woman to win the Abel Prize, dubbed the "Nobel for mathematics," on Tuesday for her work on geometric analysis and gauge theory.

"Her theories have revolutionized our understanding of minimal surfaces, such as those formed by soap bubbles," said Hans Munthe-Kaas, head of the Abel selection committee.

The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters also praised Keskulla Uhlenbeck for being "a strong advocate for gender equality in science and mathematics."

Keskulla Uhlenbeck, 76, said she was "thrilled and overwhelmed" at the news. She will also be the recipient of the 6 million Norwegian kroner ($702,000; €618,000) prize money.

The mathematician is currently a visiting scholar at Princeton University in New Jersey. She has previously taught at University of Chicago and the University of Texas at Austin.

The Abel Prize was first awarded in 2003, to mark the 200th birthday of Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.

es/rt (ap, dpa)

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