Oxford mathematician James Maynard is bringing excitement—and creativity—to the field of number theory. In the past 15 months, his groundbreaking research into prime numbers won him both a prestigious New Horizons prize and a Fields Medal, after solving complex problems that have stumped mathematicians for centuries. His dream? To one day show people the “beauty and creativity that’s within pure mathematics research,” he says.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
