Distinguished Professor Gaven Martin with Distinguished Professor Geoffrey Chase and Dame Jane Harding at the award ceremony.
Widely regarded as Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading mathematician, Professor Gaven Martin is an internationally recognised researcher who has solved several renowned mathematical problems including the Liouville problem from 1850, Siegel’s problem from 1945, the Pucci Conjecture (1966) and a special case of one of Hilbert’s famous problems (1900). His research spans a wide range of mathematical fields including geometry, analysis, topology and group theory, and his work is at the forefront of modern mathematics.
Professor Martin has been with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University since 2004 and is a current member of the University Council.
The Jones Medal, named in honour of the late Professor Vaughan Jones, was established to recognise outstanding lifetime achievements in mathematics or statistics by individuals with strong connections to New Zealand.
Professor Martin co-founded the New Zealand Mathematical Research Institute with Professor Jones in 1995 and continues to chair the Institute, which has played a pivotal role in enhancing New Zealand’s global mathematical reputation.
In addition to his research, Professor Martin is dedicated to improving mathematics education in New Zealand. He actively contributes to curriculum reviews and advisory reports aimed at strengthening the teaching of mathematics in schools.
He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 1997, receiving a James Cook Research Fellowship in 2001, the Hector Medal in 2008 and continuous funding from the Marsden Fund for over 30 years. He was made a Foreign Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters in 2016 and received the prestigious Research Prize from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2020.
Professor Martin says he’s grateful to be the recipient of the Jones Medal. He is also thankful for the generous prize associated with the medal and which is now funded in perpetuity due to a very significant gift to the Royal Society by the Jones family.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award, particularly given the legacy of Vaughan Jones, for whom the medal is named, and the remarkable mathematicians who have received it before me – many of whom remain close friends and mentors. There are also many talented individuals who will undoubtedly follow in the years to come.
“I am grateful to the universities where I’ve spent most of my career - Massey University and the University of Auckland - and to the many international funding bodies that have supported my work, especially the Marsden Fund, which has been instrumental in sustaining my research over the decades.
“It has been, and continues to be, a joy to work with colleagues and students from around the world, constantly discovering new facets of the fascinating world of mathematics."
He also expressed his thanks to wife Dianne, daughters Jennifer and Amy and new granddaughter Scarlett.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas congratulates Professor Martin on receiving the award.
“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to Professor Martin’s extraordinary contributions to mathematics, both in New Zealand and internationally. His pioneering research, alongside his unwavering dedication to education and mentorship, continues to inspire and shape the future of mathematics. We are incredibly proud to have him as a member of our academic community and extend our deepest congratulations on this remarkable achievement."
Related news
Distinguished Professor Gaven Martin receives international Humboldt Research Award
The prestigious Humboldt Research Awards are presented each year to research leaders from around the globe.
Massey projects receive $7.45m from Marsden Fund
Massey researchers have received more than $7.45 million from the Royal Society Te Apārangi annual Marsden Fund for 15 projects.
Distinguished Professors represent Massey at World Science Forum
Two Massey University distinguished professors represented the University at the World Science Forum, held in Jordan late last month.
