Anna Miriam Benini
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics - University of Parma
I graduated in Theoretical Physics as alumna of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. I then took a PhD in Mathematics with M. Lyubich in the US. I did research as a postdoc in several countries and cities before settling at the University of Parma.
How would you define your field of study? What is your vision about it? Which are the topics you're most passionate about?
I work in complex dynamics, in one and two dimensions. That is, I study the evolution of some complex manifolds under iteration of a holomorphic map. I love to find interconnections between different areas of mathematics, and complex dynamics uses a variegated sets of techniques coming from very different fields ranging from geometry to analysis to number theory.
I like to look for proofs which are not only correct but give insights on the structure of the theory, and catch as much as possible its inherent elegance and coherence.
I believe in collaboration and intellectual honesty.
How do you expect your experience in IMM to be? Why did you accept to teach for this project?
I do not have expectations, I am looking forward to having this experience come to me with an open mind. I accepted mainly because I think that female role models in mathematics are lacking, not only in Asia but in most of the world. I also accepted because I believe that richness- in math as in everything else- lies in the merging of different viewpoints, and by getting exposed to the diversity of approaches to math in the different cultures, we all have much to learn.
What is your teaching philosophy? What would you like to transmit to your students? How do you motivate them?
Every teacher from time to time should learn something completely new, in order to recall what it means to start learning a new skill from scratch and avoid becoming fossilized in his or her comfort zone. Teachers should try to present the material from several different viewpoints because the mental schemes of each one of us are different and respond differently to a specific approach. This also gives a more complete and thorough understanding of the subject.
Finally, I believe in student's responsibility: it is the teacher's duty to offer all elements and help so that students may learn proficiently, but it is the student's responsibility to study individually and make the most of a teacher's words: a cook may prepare the most wonderful banquet, but he or she cannot eat it or digest it in place of the guest.
Do you have one of two favorite quotes you would like to share and/or a personal “motto”?
“Difficult things can be done right away; for the impossible ones, you may have to work a little longer.”