Juan Maldacena is an Argentine theoretical physicist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of string theory and quantum gravity. He gained prominence in 1997 with the formulation of the AdS/CFT correspondence, a conjecture that suggests a relationship between a type of string theory and a quantum field theory. This idea has had a significant impact on theoretical physics, providing insights into the nature of black holes and the fundamental structure of spacetime. Maldacena was born on September 30, 1968, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Buenos Aires and later earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University. Throughout his career, he has held various prestigious positions, including faculty roles at Harvard University and the Institute for Advanced Study. His contributions have earned him numerous awards, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in modern theoretical physics.