12 Facts About Jacob Palis

Jacob Palis's father was a Syrian immigrant, and his mother was of Lebanese ancestry.

The couple had eight children, and Jacob Palis was the youngest.

Jacob Palis's father was a merchant, owner of a large store, and supported and funded the studies of his children.

Jacob Palis said that he already enjoyed mathematics in his childhood.

Jacob Palis was approved in first place in the entrance exam, but was not old enough to be accepted; he then had to take the university's entry exam again a year later, at which again he obtained first place.

Jacob Palis completed the course in 1962 with honours and receiving the award for the best student.

Jacob Palis was Secretary-General of the Third World Academy of Sciences from 2004 to 2006, and elected its president in 2006 and remained on position till December 2012.

Jacob Palis was president of the International Mathematical Union from 1999 to 2002.

Jacob Palis was president of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences from 2007 to 2016.

Jacob Palis has advised more than forty PhD students so far from more than ten countries, including Artur Oscar Lopes, Ricardo Mane, Welington de Melo, Carlos Gustavo Moreira, Enrique Pujals and Marcelo Viana.

Jacob Palis is a foreign member of several academies of sciences, including the United States National Academy of Sciences, the French Academy of Sciences and German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

Jacob Palis is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.