2019-20 Fields-AIMS-Perimeter - Africa Postdoctoral
Fellowship: Taboka Chalebgwa
Organizers: AIMS Next Einstein Initiative • Fields Institute • Perimeter Institute
The 2019 recipient of the Fields - AIMS - Perimeter
fellowship, early career scientist Dr. Taboka Prince
Chalebgwa, has recently completed a PhD at
Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Originally
from Botswana, Chalebgwa holds two Master’s in
mathematics with distinction. He received his first
Master’s degree from AIMS in 2014, researching the
critical points of complex polynomials, followed by a
second Master’s degree from Stellenbosch University
in 2016, exploring the geometry of complex
polynomials and Sendov’s Conjecture. He then
embarked on his PhD, with a focus on Nevanlinna
Theory and algebraic values of meromorphic
functions. While completing his PhD, Chalebgwa
was a teaching assistant at AIMS South Africa,
moderating courses on abstract algebra, model
theory, algebraic number theory, computational
algebra, and surfaces. Throughout his fellowship, he
will be based at the Fields Institute, and is expected
to arrive in July 2019 to begin his research.
Each year, the Fields Institute, the African
Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and
the Perimeter Institute award a joint, year-
long postdoctoral fellowship. This is a unique
opportunity for recent PhDs who are African
nationals working in areas of mathematical
sciences or fundamental theoretical physics.
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Launched in 2012, the fellowship program
was initially a joint endeavour by Fields and
Perimeter. In 2017, the two institutes partnered
with AIMS Next Einstein Initiative, with the
shared goal of supporting the careers of young
researchers committed to advancing science and
mathematics across Africa. The fellowship program
was renewed for an additional five years, and
more opportunities have since been created for
African researchers to participate in the range
of programs at Fields and Perimeter. Selected
fellows are invited to pursue their research at
the Fields Institute, Perimeter Institute, or both,
depending on their research interests. Over the
years, the program has welcomed many talented
and dedicated up-and-coming researchers, all of
whom have greatly contributed to and benefitted
from the stimulating environment at Fields.
“So far, our partnership has succeeded beyond
any initial hopes,” said Neil Turok, Director of
the Perimeter Institute. “The Fields-Perimeter
Fellowship has attracted excellent candidates,
distinguished not only by the quality of their
science but also by their commitment to create
opportunities for others. There is an abundance
of youthful talent in Africa. Everything we can do
today to hasten its development will bear great
fruits for Africa and for science in the future.”