Interview with Rahul Pandharipande on Algebraic Geometry and PhD Mentorship

Rahul Pandharipande is a professor in ETH Zurich, working in algebraic geometry. In this interview, Rahul talks about advising PhD students and maintaining a big research group, the role of mathematics in the world and the intuition behind mathematical problems. Rahul's webpage: https://people.math.ethz.ch/~rahul/ Photo: website of ETH Zurich #mathematician #interview #mathresearch #mathstruggles #algebraicgeometry #mathproblems #howtodomath 0:00 teaser 0:25 math vs physics 4:38 proof is the last thing 6:55 misconceptions about math research among students 9:46 PhD students teach Rahul 12:32 personal feeling for a math problem 13:28 geometric intuition 17:25 entertaining lectures with ideas 19:31 Rahul's struggles in research ;) 20:53 collaborations are the best 24:47 big research group is easier to maintain 26:59 which students are good mathematicians 28:35 should you do a PhD in math? 29:55 managing work-life balance 32:48 research group hikes are fun 35:55 doing math with no pen and paper 39:08 Schopenhauer recommendations 40:14 how to do math when your homeland is in pain 43:56 algebraic geometry is very useful 45:53 math joke with an explanation 47:58 what is good mathematics 50:33 extra opportunities for minorities in math 52:03 funny conference episode 53:54 chatting about my youtube channel 54:20 please help me advertise the channel! 55:18 I want more collaborators 55:39 good advice for young mathematicians