David Kazhdan is a prominent mathematician known for his contributions to various fields, including representation theory, algebraic geometry, and number theory. He has made significant advancements in understanding the connections between these areas, particularly through his work on Lie groups and algebraic groups. Born in 1935 in Moscow, Russia, Kazhdan has held various academic positions, including at Harvard University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research has influenced many mathematicians and has led to the development of important concepts, such as the Kazhdan-Lusztig theory, which has applications in both mathematics and theoretical physics.