SISSA mathematician Nicola Gigli is included in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2025,” the ranking compiled by Clarivate that identifies the most influential researchers in the world in their field. The list has been published annually since 2014.
As reported on Clarivate’s website: “Each selected researcher is the author of multiple Highly Cited Papers, which over the past eleven years have ranked in the top 1% most cited for their field and year of publication in the Web of Science Core Collection.” “Within the entire global population of scientists and social scientists,” it explains, “Highly Cited Researchers represent 1 in 1,000.”
Of the nearly 7,000 individuals included in the list from 130 countries worldwide, only 65 belong to the field of mathematics. In addition to Nicola Gigli, the list also includes Luca Heltai, who was a professor at SISSA until 2023 and is currently at the University of Pisa.
Nicola Gigli graduated in mathematics at the age of just 22 from the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. He worked in the private sector before focusing on an academic career. He has been a full professor at SISSA in Trieste since 2016 and vice-director of the Trieste institute since 2021. Among the recognitions he has received throughout his career, particularly prestigious are the Oberwolfach Prize for young researchers, awarded in 2010 together with László Székelyhidi, and the Ennio De Giorgi Prize, which he received in 2019 for his brilliant and intense scientific career. His research interests lie in the field of geometric analysis.
Regarding the important result he has just achieved, Nicola Gigli comments: “Being included in the very small group of researchers who have distinguished themselves the most in their field worldwide is a personal satisfaction and a recognition of the work carried out over these years with great passion. However, all of this is also thanks to the institute where I have the privilege of working. The SISSA community offers my work constant human and intellectual stimulation. I am referring, in particular, to the exchange with colleagues but also to the daily work done side by side with truly brilliant students. This is a unique asset that makes our School a precious and scientifically fertile place.”