The Student Night of the Fields Medal Symposium is held to encourage the interaction between undergraduate and high school students and a Fields Medallist, to inspire an appreciation of the beauty and scope of mathematics, and to have pizza and meet fellow mathematics enthusiasts. More than 150 students typically register for this popular event, which has become a favourite annual tradition. 

From September 23-26, 2025, the Fields Institute will celebrate 2022 Abacus Prize winner Mark Braverman (Princeton University). Braverman, who completed his PhD at the University of Toronto, took home the Abacus Medal in 2022.

Braverman is known for numerous contributions across theoretical computer science. Advances in the speed and efficiency of the technology we use depend on fundamental research in computer science. Theoretical computer science creates and studies new connections between applied questions—like efficient communication, market algorithms, and physics simulation—and deep mathematical concepts.

These connections lead to surprising new practical applications and to a deeper mathematical understanding of fundamental concepts such as information, computation, and algorithmic efficiency. Within theoretical computer science, he’s particularly recognized for developing new frameworks for reasoning about communication protocols and for new results connecting theoretical computer science with mathematical analysis, dynamical systems, and market algorithms.