Kaibo Hu awarded prestigious international mathematics prize

The prize, awarded by the Society for the Foundations of Computational Mathematics, is named after the legendary mathematician Stephen Smale, whose work spans dynamical systems and has influenced fields from computational complexity to economics.

Dr Hu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Christ Church and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute, described the award as particularly meaningful to him: ‘I was reading Smale’s book on dynamical systems and chaos as an undergraduate, and it inspired me to pursue mathematics. I have always been fascinated by observing life and the world as dynamical systems – sometimes peaceful, sometimes chaotic and complicated. When you look closer, there are patterns and reasons, which are always beautiful.’

Dr Hu’s research focuses on the mathematical foundations of computation, with recent work on modelling and computation of complex physical systems such as fluids and plasma. A central question is how such systems evolve over long periods of time – from laboratory plasmas to the interstellar medium.

Dr Hu’s recent work explores how structures within these systems can become ‘knotted’, placing powerful constraints on their behaviour. ‘When we simulate these systems on a computer, algorithms that do not take this into account can quickly produce completely wrong physics,’ he explained. ‘Our work designs algorithms that preserve these structures, leading to more faithful numerical computation.’

This research has important practical implications, particularly for fusion energy, where understanding the long-term behaviour of plasma is essential for maintaining stable reactions.

The prize also carries symbolic significance. Its insignia is inspired by the ‘Gömböc’, a unique geometric object with just two equilibrium points. (Learn about the object from Christ Church’s Professor Sam Howison here.) The existence of such a shape was conjectured by the influential mathematician Vladimir Arnold, whose work has also shaped Dr Hu’s thinking.

‘Arnold believed mathematics should be intuitive – “the part of physics where experiments are cheap”,’ Dr Hu said. ‘I always travel with his books.’ He recalled meeting Gábor Domokos, who proved the conjecture, and hearing how the discovery involved testing thousands of pebbles on a beach.

Dr Hu emphasised the importance of collaboration and intellectual exchange in his work. ‘The underlying mathematical structures are universal – I think this is the most fascinating fact about mathematics,’ he said. ‘Our common passion is to build new connections: between pure and applied mathematics, the continuous world and discrete algorithms, and mathematics and other subjects.’

He added that Christ Church provides an ideal environment for this approach: ‘I find Christ Church an amazing environment for this passion. Conversations with physicists and chemists at High Table and in the SCR have recently inspired me to look at knots in quantum and molecular systems.’

Dr Hu’s academic journey has taken him from undergraduate and doctoral study in China to research positions in Oslo and Minnesota, before arriving in Oxford in 2021. After holding a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and Readership in Edinburgh, he returned to Oxford in 2025 as a faculty member, while continuing his association with Christ Church.

Reflecting on the award, he said: ‘I am grateful to the many people who have supported me along this journey, and I am deeply honoured by this award, which echoes my passion for the foundations of computational mathematics and for building new connections.’

Alongside his academic work, Dr Hu is a keen admirer of Baroque and church music and values the rich musical traditions of Christ Church.

The Christ Church community would like to congratulate Dr Hu on this great achievement.