What Happens When a Math Professor Runs a Country?

Listen to 100s of Science Documentaries on Turing for Free. CHeckout the App at iOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/the-turing-app/id6752724106 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theturingapp.turing&hl=en or listen at https://theturingapp.com Nicușor Dan - Mathematician and President of Romania What does it take for a mathematical prodigy to become the president of a country? Nicușor Dan’s story begins far from the halls of political power. Growing up in communist Romania, he emerged as one of the most extraordinary young mathematicians of his generation. At the International Mathematical Olympiad, he achieved something remarkably rare: a perfect score of 42 out of 42 in 1987—and then did it again in 1988. His future seemed obvious. Dan moved to France, studied at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in Paris, and completed a doctorate in fundamental mathematics. He could have remained in Western academia. Instead, in 1998, he returned to Romania. That decision would transform his life. Dan first tried to strengthen Romanian science and education, helping create an institution designed to keep talented young researchers from leaving the country. Then his attention turned to Bucharest itself. Disturbed by controversial construction projects and the destruction of historic buildings and green spaces, he founded the Save Bucharest Association and helped launch hundreds of legal challenges against developers and city authorities. Courtrooms eventually led him into politics. After unsuccessful campaigns, Dan became Mayor of Bucharest in 2020, winning reelection four years later. Then Romania entered one of the most turbulent political periods in its recent history. Following the annulment of the 2024 presidential election and a new vote in 2025, Dan entered the race as an independent. On May 18, 2025, the former mathematics Olympiad champion was elected President of Romania. This is the remarkable journey of Nicușor Dan from solving some of the world’s hardest mathematical problems to confronting problems for which there may be no perfect answer. #Fieldsmedal #MathOlympiad #politicaldebate ----------- Turing is a leading publishers of popular science books. Check out our collection on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Turing-Editorial-Team/author/B0GVXKMGGJ/allbooks?ccs_id=4637a82d-44e3-49b7-92d6-ed1aec5fe06b Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/turing-editorial-team/id1895369034?see-all=books ---------------- Listen to Mavericks of Science on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Meet the most influential and groundbreaking contemporary researchers Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/48c6VqsI8vtH9D2W5MYXfG?si=acc3565470d246ef Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mavericks-of-science/id1875688838 Million Dollar Problems of Mathematics: Legendary, unsolved puzzles that have baffled the world's sharpest minds, using Everyday Language Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dHIDxANHtjJtVzITrOwYM?si=8e7b302f198548ac Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/million-dollar-problems-of-mathematics/id1796668358 ---------------- Weekend Science Audiobooks on Latest Science Breakthroughs, Opinions and Essential Guides by Turing Kobo, Walmart: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/author/7p0Kts6ozkAbDQHwJetWpV?si=badc495c551642be Storytel: https://www.storytel.com/tv/authors/turing-editorial-team-1252408