Meet Alessio Figalli, the mathematician who won the Fields Medal for mastering the theory of Optimal Transport. We explore how a student of Latin and Greek rose to the pinnacle of mathematics to solve problems ranging from the shape of crystals to the future of AI. This video provides a comprehensive look at the life and work of "The Optimizer," including: The Unlikely Beginning: How Figalli started in a classical high school studying philosophy and Ancient Greek, rather than a scientific track. The Struggle: His initial challenges at the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, where he arrived not even knowing what a derivative was. The Theory: A breakdown of Optimal Transport, a problem dating back to the 1780s involving the most efficient way to move materials. Real-World Applications: How this abstract math explains natural phenomena like moving clouds, melting ice, and the stability of machine learning algorithms. Whether you are a math student or just curious about the hidden language of nature, this biography reveals how an "optimizer's mind" searches for the best of all possible worlds. 00:00 - The 2018 Fields Medal in Rio 01:45 - An Unlikely Start: Classics over Calculus 03:30 - Surviving the Scuola Normale Superiore 05:15 - What is Optimal Transport? (Monge & Kantorovich) 07:50 - The PDE: From Guitar Strings to Logistics 09:20 - Applications: Crystals, Clouds, and Melting Ice 11:10 - Solving the "Curse of Dimensionality" in AI 13:00 - Epilogue: The Infinite Landscape of Math Listen to 100s of STEM Audio Shows on Turing. Download the App Now iOS: Android: or listen at #OptimalTransport #FieldsMedal #Mathematics #MachineLearning