GREAT WOMAN OF MATHEMATICS: DR. KAREN UHLENBECK, born 1942. First woman to win the Abel Prize, the "Nobel Prize of Maths." A founder of modern geometric analysis, her work has brought important insight to the intersection of mathematics and physics, with applications #GWOM 1/6

in string theory and the geometry of space-time. Pioneering achievements, particularly in geometric partial differential equations, topological quantum field theory, and gauge theory, which is used by physicists to describe interactions of subatomic particles. Her work has 2/6

added "rigorous mathematical underpinning" to the work physicists are doing in quantum field theory. Won a MacArthur Fellowship in 1983. Second woman to address the International Congress of Mathematicians. (The first was Emmy Noether, putting her in august company.) 3/6

Co-founder of both the Park City Mathematics Institute and the Women in Mathematics program (both of Institute for Advanced Study). A member of the first generation of women to enjoy equal opportunity to "get real jobs in academia," she is aware of her status as a role model, 4/6

but also believes that "what you really need to do is show students how imperfect people can be and still succeed...I may be a wonderful mathematician...but I'm also very human." Special thanks to @EricRWeinstein for suggesting her for the series, and for his enthusiasm on 5/6

the topic of women in mathematics, which gave a huge boost of courage in the direction of making this dedicated account! 6/6