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