Episode 13: About the importance of being curious with Malthe Mejlsted

00:00:03:

00:00:10: From Mathematics Münster, this is On A Tangent.

00:00:14: The podcast where we tell the stories behind mathematics and explore the fascinating paths that lead early career researchers to Münster.

00:00:21: My name is Carlo Kaule.

00:00:22: I'm a PhD student in Arithmetic Geometry And i have the privilege To bring new stories for you In the months to come.

00:00:29: For the sixth episode of season I am joined by Melda Maelstedt.

00:00:33: Melder earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mathematics at University of Copenhagen Studying Operator Algebraes and Algebraic Topology and writing his master's thesis on the UCT problem by a group called C-Star Algebra.

00:00:46: Alongside studies, Melde volunteered as team leader for the Danish national team at International Mathematical Olympiad and organized workshops in the mathematics didactic club.

00:00:56: Earlier this year, Melder began his PhD in the Operator Algebra Group under Professor Wilhelm Winter.

00:01:02: Start us always with first question which is what your first mathematical memory?

00:01:09: I think... I don't remember maybe exactly the first, but feel like i can...I remember quite early doing some math and just adding numbers together learning to count stuff.

00:01:20: Like that!

00:01:21: I think the first time I remembered having an actual experience with Math was in one of my lower grades where we had learned about fractions really introduced this And then I got handed a sheet fractions on it and you have to like, plus them together.

00:01:40: And we hadn't learned about the common denominator at that point.

00:01:43: so I kind of could add them if they had same denominators but couldn't figure out.

00:01:46: how do different denominators... Yeah!

00:01:48: ...and just really couldn't figured this out.

00:01:50: I spent a lot time trying to think hard about it.. We haven't learn about.

00:01:54: this is for my mistake by teacher thing too.

00:01:56: give me this.

00:01:58: But then i asked the teacher afterwards an explanation all your just doing with these and works?

00:02:03: This was first time having An experience with math where I really tried, Really hard but couldn't figure it out.

00:02:11: But then i got the answer and all of a sudden It just clicked You know that's kind of maybe The feeling I've been chasing ever since And finally clicks

00:02:18: Yeah...I think its pretty hard to figure That out.

00:02:20: if you don't like Don't know already.

00:02:22: Yeah definitely

00:02:24: It is A fun experience.

00:02:26: So this was during Like your fifth sixth grade or?

00:02:29: Maybe little earlier than actually.

00:02:31: Okay

00:02:33: so..So you grew up in Denmark right?

00:02:34: Yes exactly

00:02:35: Where?

00:02:35: in Danmark

00:02:37: In Vloor, which is a suburb of Copenhagen.

00:02:39: Ah yeah

00:02:40: and in Denmark do you have like four grades?

00:02:43: In your primary school or how does it work

00:02:46: now?

00:02:46: our primary school Is kind of that's what the whole childhood.

00:02:51: That is like ten grades And then we'll have three years of high school before university.

00:02:56: so It's not quite The same system.

00:02:58: okay after you had this experience did become more and more interested in math, or when did this interest really begin for you?

00:03:08: So I feel like the interests of math was combined with a lot of interesting just these natural sciences.

00:03:14: In general some sort of physics or chemistry at some point that i didn't know.

00:03:19: the difference between those things.

00:03:20: yeah think about what's also just sparked by having an older brother When he came home told us all about it kind of listened to him got like a taste on.

00:03:29: somethings have come later.

00:03:32: But for a long time I just had this general interest in science, not really math.

00:03:38: This was similar to me and my older sister... ...I always tried to help her see what stuff she was doing.

00:03:44: so it's quite exciting!

00:03:46: So you were generally interested into sciences?

00:03:49: Was that your main interests like studying science or did the typical day of life look like then...?

00:03:56: Or maybe other interests?

00:03:58: I feel like...I liked school in general.

00:04:01: I found a lot of things very interesting, all these academic stuff and i just had a broad interest on my other subjects And the reason why I ended up doing math is that it was interesting to know about this subject.

00:04:13: but then at one point which was apparently very formative years for me were in seventh grade when we got into some of those math camps.

00:04:20: Ah!

00:04:20: Seventh grade already?

00:04:21: Primary School or Normal School?

00:04:23: Or was it focused towards science?

00:04:26: No, so I went to like a public school and then in between sixth and seventh grade.

00:04:31: I changed my private schools And they were on this network where also had some connections with these math camps.

00:04:36: Very lucky that someone get into the program just because i was very interested.

00:04:43: If there have been these camps for other science subjects maybe we would've done it instead.

00:04:48: but now This is an offer you can do at Math and I really enjoyed

00:04:54: What was it like, in Copenhagen as well?

00:04:57: It's all around the country.

00:04:59: We would go to different schools and bring our sleeping bags... ...and then do math for a whole weekend.

00:05:06: And what did doing maths mean at that point?

00:05:09: Was there more competition or learning new concepts?

00:05:13: So this actually really ambitious back then but also thinking about it now We started doing some actual math in the sense that we just started learning more computations, but actually learning about how do you work with fractions properly?

00:05:35: How to solve quadratic equations.

00:05:38: Small systems of linear equations like these basic tools which are kind maybe covered at some point in school But then they don't really learn it properly and now I would sit down and grind out those things so we could learn proper maths.

00:05:52: But did this then just repeat in school?

00:05:55: all these topics?

00:05:56: I can imagine that they are also covered in schools.

00:05:59: Yeah, so the camps ended up touching on some more theoretical subjects as well and things would be covered later.

00:06:05: but like long before we touched them at school So again it was during eighth grade or ninth grade learning about, you know functions and also like epsilon delta limit stuff and continuity.

00:06:20: So

00:06:20: things don't usually do in school at least not in Germany?

00:06:23: Yeah definitely it was very much inspired by first year university curriculum which is a really impressive trying to teach that too some people in eighth or ninth grade.

00:06:34: yeah certainly I mean this quite interesting for me because I don't know, when was it that you became more interested in competition math?

00:06:41: Which is kind of quite different right.

00:06:43: So this wasn't any competition maths in these camps but rather really conceptual learning new concepts.

00:06:49: Yeah so like the actual teaching wasn't about competition math to begin with But a lot people there were also teachers and background in doing some competition math And... You know.. A lot of people kind of get together about this.

00:07:04: someone would mention oh that is this math competition and then we will start you know.

00:07:08: Kind off getting more into this.

00:07:11: okay so maybe also why I had a head start in some ways these high school math competitions.

00:07:16: it's just that i knew about them before i started high school.

00:07:19: yeah not actually then done a little bit of some practice beforehand.

00:07:23: So usually these kind of competitions only start in high school?

00:07:27: Yeah, like technically but you can also just begin earlier... But most people will hear about them at high schools!

00:07:34: And so when did you get into really doing competitions?

00:07:39: I think i participated in the Danish Olympiad first time in ninth grade and found it fun but very difficult.

00:07:47: At that point I made a lot of friends who were also very much into math and we sometimes sat down together, did some practice.

00:07:54: So i really seriously participated in our high school when it was like fifteen or sixteen years.

00:08:02: But this is the real social endeavour for you?

00:08:05: Yes definitely!

00:08:07: The competition part wasn't important to me.

00:08:09: It's never about winning showing up somewhere where other people also interested in math and you get to hang out, discuss interesting topics.

00:08:18: And make some good friends... The reason why I really enjoyed these math camps already from the beginning of seventh grade was that someone actually took me seriously!

00:08:30: In a sense it's not just when you see a child who is smart then say oh thats nice well.. You can wait until your university then learn cool things.

00:08:39: Someone said Oh, you're smart.

00:08:42: Well then means that you can actually learn some things.

00:08:44: so like they took them seriously They tried to teach me some actual math.

00:08:47: Yeah And for me the competition math is kind of the same thing That this Competition element doesn't really matter.

00:08:53: But the fact that you Can advance through it means that You will get to a point where It's Really really difficult because as long As you find it easy you'll just keep on going further and further.

00:09:01: So its Like A natural way To really Get Some Challenges.

00:09:04: What was most?

00:09:06: challenging, almost the most exciting topic?

00:09:08: because I can tell you about my own experience of competition math where i really like algebra parts and maybe also more analytic questions but i really struggled with all the geometry question.

00:09:22: And always came to a certain point in state-wide round or something then just failed doing the geometry part.

00:09:31: So how was it for you?

00:09:32: Yeah, I struggled with the geometry as well.

00:09:35: But i think some of this is also just like a social thing that when you're training together With all these people That some people will kind Of choose something and then they go All in on that And become really good.

00:09:45: Then When You see someone knows everything In Geometry Just give up yourself Because your never going to be that Good and find Like Your own niche.

00:09:52: I got really into doing Inequalities.

00:09:54: at one point I found that fun.

00:09:58: Nobody else did That.

00:09:59: well, so this could be my kind of niche.

00:10:02: We also had like a very few team competitions.

00:10:04: So in that way you would also know if there's one guy who is really good at geometry He should definitely do the geometry and I will just kind of Do what was left which means that i've done A lot of algebra for example.

00:10:15: Cool but You didn't only do math olympics?

00:10:18: You're also chemistry and physics olympians.

00:10:21: Yeah!

00:10:21: I did a little bit than some other olympiats.

00:10:24: I did alot of chemistry In high school Just because Again, I had some very nice teachers who organized training sessions for this.

00:10:30: And again the subject of chemistry.

00:10:33: maybe wasn't that important.

00:10:34: it was just someone willing to teach me interesting stuff and take my seriously.

00:10:40: do something that's inherently challenging because you keep on advancing until it becomes way too difficult.

00:10:44: but i really enjoyed as well.

00:10:46: But nevertheless there is one as appealing at the mouth Olympia to you.

00:10:50: or why did you focus so much on the math when You were like interested in all the sciences before?

00:10:55: yeah So I feel at this point.

00:10:57: I was also just much better at math and other things which helped a lot.

00:11:00: It does make it a lot more fun.

00:11:01: Yeah, I Feel Like there are Just different flavors To these subjects And i really liked This idea in Math that we're always kind of rewarded for asking The question Of Why but every time your stumbling into some new concept?

00:11:14: When you dive divot into, do find out that there is some underlying reason or other way to see this as kind of generalizes it.

00:11:20: Whereas I felt in chemistry...I'm sure this also the same if we really understand chemistry but at least they were always taughted.

00:11:26: If i ended up asking why?

00:11:27: We would just wait too quickly.

00:11:28: come to a point where people will say well..we observed this and Im sure on high level theres some generalizing framework But for me its was very unsatisfying That I couldn't grasp these broader concept, I could only really have these isolated pockets of knowledge.

00:11:45: What's also quite interesting to me is that already very early on you got into science communication right?

00:11:51: Yeah!

00:11:52: So how did this start?

00:11:54: Yes so i think in the math camps where there was some... ...I ended up being like a teaching assistant at one of those camps when I was in high school and it was just kind-of natural progression somehow.. ..and I really enjoyed this.

00:12:06: It was fun and also an opportunity for my High School.

00:12:09: like science shows, it's also very fun that you just got the opportunity to set things on fire and do cool reactions.

00:12:17: And I just wanted to do this because its' fun but then also showing off other people was a lot of fun.

00:12:22: so somehow i just lined up very neatly in order for me doing some of these fun things.

00:12:30: It was coupled with showcasing it to others.

00:12:33: somehow

00:12:34: Was there competition or science communication?

00:12:38: And there was a huge part of your free time and social life?

00:12:43: How can we imagine how difficult day in high school maybe you looked like.

00:12:47: Yeah, so I would say that the competition stuff... For example this chemistry olympia training took up quite some time just to train intensively.

00:13:03: There would be, you know after classes we'd go to like an extra class with some teachers and do some extra chemistry training.

00:13:09: Whereas the math competition stuff was kind of more spread out in a sense that I would on some days go home then look at problems and think about them.

00:13:19: but mostly it wasn't really... It's not really.

00:13:22: or if there were more focussed on than you had some training camps And get together for weekend intensely do math the whole weekend and then go home.

00:13:31: And you would have a regular school day, so it was like very important part of my life but still kind of compartmentalized somehow.

00:13:39: Okay.

00:13:40: So after highschool what's main reason that your chose to study mathematics all your experience in the competition math?

00:13:47: How did decide on which one to study?

00:13:50: I feel from this competition or these camps?

00:13:52: i had gotten into network people who were both the same age as me and also a bit older, studying Math at university.

00:14:00: So I felt like i knew so much about what this was... ...and had been taught so many things!

00:14:06: And that's it....I learned alot of their first year curriculum in high school through these camps.. ..and through discussing with friends and reading books myself.

00:14:14: I really feel like there is an obvious choice to go after this subject which I found interesting and kind of already knew so many people.

00:14:23: But still, was it like a change or because you were already so used to all these abstract concepts?

00:14:29: Was there very easy progression for you into university math from maybe high school math.

00:14:36: I'd say that the mathematics of this transition is pretty easy on me... ...because i'm already really in this way of thinking.

00:14:43: but then there's other stuff transitioning into being a university student which has been much more difficult.

00:14:49: Was it always clear to you that you want also study at the University of Copenhagen, or did you consider other places?

00:14:58: I did considered going in other places but... In the end there are different factors to think about.

00:15:08: I wanted to go somewhere that was like, you know had a good study program.

00:15:11: Had a good math program because they want it to do math and there are other places as well.

00:15:15: but this is just incredibly convenient and has very good math department And i knew people were here.

00:15:22: They really liked it.

00:15:23: It's close by so i could continue living with my parents in the beginning and commute back and forth.

00:15:30: There were options for me But not difficult of decision.

00:15:36: Was it also kind of the same social group as in high school with your Olympiad friends?

00:15:42: Yeah, so I did start together some of my good friends from this camp at the Olympiad which was very nice.

00:15:48: Not starting completely from scratch but and then what's great is that you know these are people who have been used to seeing very intensely like a few weekends during the year.

00:16:00: now all of sudden we're just studying each other every day.

00:16:02: It was really fun change.

00:16:06: But then you also know, I also had to make an effort actually get to know other people than the university.

00:16:11: And yeah...I started in twenty-twenty during Covid so it was a lot of difficulty like starting seeing these social connections.

00:16:22: How did you decide on which direction to go?

00:16:24: doing your studies?

00:16:26: So you brought your bachelor's thesis on bread groups right?

00:16:28: Which is somewhat different what you're now doing?

00:16:30: Yeah definitely!

00:16:31: So how did your interests form?

00:16:35: Yeah, doing your studies.

00:16:37: So it feels a little weird to admit this now but somehow you know all the cool kids were doing algebraic topology so I wanted to do algebraic typologies as well.

00:16:44: yeah sure.

00:16:44: and so i um You know what?

00:16:47: The first year of university wasn't that difficult because I knew A lot of the curriculum from things done back in high school.

00:16:52: so I want something difficult.

00:16:54: when I started my second year And tried some more difficult courses and algebraic Topology sounded cool and it sounded difficult took an algebraic college course with a lot of my friends and I found it to be a lot fun.

00:17:08: And also, you know the first time i took like a master's course in mathematics so felt very big thing for me.

00:17:15: yeah sure um...and uh..I ended up taking some other courses and actually spent my bachelor doing not really algebraic topology but just taking courses from many different directions commutative algebra, and then I did some probability theory.

00:17:32: And the other course on quantum computing... ...and kind of just tried something in every direction.

00:17:38: but i had this idea that I would want to go back into algebraic topology at some point for my bachelor's thesis.

00:17:44: I did Algebraic Topology.

00:17:47: It also makes sense because University of Copenhagen is quite well known for its algebraic typology group right?

00:17:51: Yeah

00:17:51: exactly so it really you know known as a very difficult topic.

00:17:56: everyone kinds of.

00:17:58: There was like a social status maybe in doing this, which I didn't think about at the time but that is definitely a big part of reason why i chose it.

00:18:06: Besides your studies how did you liked the social life at the University of Copenhagen?

00:18:10: Was it very rich or after Covid actually?

00:18:13: Yeah!

00:18:13: It's great.

00:18:14: yeah we've had a lot fun through years and Copenhagen with many very good friends.

00:18:19: Very nice For starting your masters... Was it still clear to you that you want to stay in Copenhagen just because you had this great bachelor experience?

00:18:28: or how does the decision go for you?

00:18:30: Yeah, again I did consider if i should go somewhere else but somehow I felt that Copenhagen was definitely most convenient and also... If wanted do as a break-up apology.

00:18:41: If wanted something slightly different It's just very good place to be And I have so much fun at my bachelor.

00:18:47: So kind of also just wanted to stay together with my friends.

00:18:51: It makes sense for me.

00:18:53: I also stayed at the same university from Amarsus and one reason, as well was that because of Covid-R we lost some social time to spend there which i just enjoyed so much.

00:19:06: but then i didn't want go yet.

00:19:08: Maybe this is similar?

00:19:09: Yeah!

00:19:10: And you know...I had taken a lot courses like introductory stuff and wanted kindof have pay off.

00:19:15: it's easier if your staying in the same place build on each other more progressively.

00:19:21: Yeah,

00:19:21: same for me.

00:19:22: yeah certainly so but you didn't quite stay in the algebraic topology?

00:19:27: No I um which is to say i have taken all of the Algebraic Topology courses and Copenhagen.

00:19:34: So that way I did stay in it.

00:19:35: But I kind of shifted my focus at some point And...I took a course in Functional Analysis and I enjoyed it.

00:19:43: Um..and I wanted to know.

00:19:46: I feel like i knew a lot about this algebraic topology stuff.

00:19:49: The people who were doing it somehow, oh if you wanted to do this... You should take this course and this course And then took functional analysis and thought that was fun but don't actually know what's next.

00:20:02: If we want more of these.

00:20:03: so just ask my professor What would you recommend?

00:20:08: And if I knew at this point also that I wanted to do a PhD somewhere, some point.

00:20:12: I felt like... ...I wouldn't be done with math during my master's and have more to give.

00:20:17: so as well in mind what it is good topic for getting into or what should they do just got very warm welcome into the group of operator algebraists and got recommendations from which courses we could take said oh!

00:20:34: We can also do projects one-point these seminars that you're very welcome to join and we are going somewhere else, like a kind of mini-conference if you want to join.

00:20:45: So I think there's very good mathematical reasons for wanting go into this as well but for me it was also just being welcomed in the group which really helped a lot.

00:20:55: From what your telling me it really sounds like Danish culture is very good at helping talents grow.

00:21:03: I feel like how you're telling me this, it's always a very smooth transition in the system to go these math camps and then get invited into those workshops.

00:21:13: How do you

00:21:14: think about that?

00:21:15: We have some good opportunities.

00:21:16: but also thinking of just being incredibly lucky somehow we ended up changing schools for school where they were on network of these camps end-up meeting people who knew their systems and pointed them at right directions.

00:21:28: so i'm really privileged now.

00:21:31: Okay,

00:21:34: cool.

00:21:34: And so you started doing C-style algebras and... So it was at this point totally clear to that you wanted a PhD or did you ever consider also going into industry after your masters?

00:21:45: I was pretty certain of wanting to do a PhD but felt like building up some expertise in all these areas and i wasn't ready just throw away other ways than something else.

00:21:57: It might be like a bit of a sunk cost thing here.

00:22:00: Yeah, I think the most important thing is just that I still really enjoyed this work and wanted to do more of it And I feel like I wasn't ready to kind of put that away yet.

00:22:09: But then even though you get this warm welcome into your group You decided to leave Copenhagen.

00:22:14: How does decision go for you?

00:22:17: yeah...I think there's combination of different factors that are considered going somewhere else before but But maybe not that seriously, but the idea was there.

00:22:26: At some point I think it would be interesting just to try and go somewhere else.

00:22:31: And if i wanted to go somewhere elsewhere... ...I could have gone to another place in Denmark.

00:22:36: If I had made a change anyway then I kind of wanted to go abroad.

00:22:40: So somewhere else Also talked with people or professors about the possibilities for PhDs.

00:22:47: There might also be funding somewhere.

00:22:50: It's always difficult to know what's possible.

00:22:54: But when I mentioned this possibility of, maybe i wanted to go abroad then I really got some...I got a lot help from professors like we sat down and made lists of What would be interesting places to go?

00:23:05: And which professor did they know there that you can get in touch with and stuff Like.

00:23:09: for me it'd be nice To try to Get change of scenery.

00:23:14: Try that somehow When your finishing studies You have to somehow start over a lot Of life again.

00:23:23: Why not try somewhere else?

00:23:24: And then I think, you know in a purely mathematical perspective it's also really good to have a change of scenery.

00:23:30: Try to work with some other people.

00:23:31: see how they do stuff.

00:23:32: Other places.

00:23:34: So was Münster always quite at the top on off-the-list?

00:23:37: or why did she choose to go to Münster and the end?

00:23:40: Yeah so like i wanted to do Cister Algebra this point I had done courses both algebraic topology and in upper right algebras but ended up doing some projects in C-style algebras with a couple of professors to kind of hone what I wanted do.

00:23:57: And, uh...I just asked for help and ask like well which professor is out on the world?

00:24:02: Which places are relevant could be interesting to go too!

00:24:08: There were few places that popped up but if you want it pure c-style Algebras It's kinda niche topic.

00:24:14: there aren't many place.

00:24:16: have big group.

00:24:17: i really also wanna somewhere where the one PhD student doing this.

00:24:22: I wanted to be, have some other people to work together with and Münster was just right at the top of the list because we really had like a very good group here.

00:24:32: Yeah

00:24:33: Very nice.

00:24:34: So now you're in Münster what does typical day-of research look like?

00:24:39: Do you have a typical day off research?

00:24:42: Right now i spend a lot time reading.

00:24:44: yeah...I feel that im still trying figure out how actually tackle a research problem.

00:24:49: This is definitely of work in progress, but...

00:24:53: We have to say you also just started!

00:24:56: How many months ago now?

00:24:58: Starting April so I guess that's like four months ago or something.

00:25:02: But now do you have a favorite location off campus at Munster where you can relax?

00:25:07: Do need relaxing nowadays?

00:25:08: Or definitely relaxed?

00:25:10: after sitting in the office all day reading You need to get out somewhere.

00:25:13: And when did go then

00:25:15: I really like the old town and just

00:25:19: kind of

00:25:20: taking a stroll around sometimes, looking at churches.

00:25:24: It's very special atmosphere in there.

00:25:26: I liked that because people coming to Münster for PhD or postdoc aren't going into city enough.

00:25:31: they all know the ASEE region but... The city is so nice and also has many cool bars.

00:25:41: Yeah, I sometimes feel like i forget it as well And then go into the middle of this city and think wow its beautiful in here!

00:25:46: I could go every day if wanted

00:25:49: to

00:25:49: Still on their face where everything new and exciting.

00:25:52: So doesn't take that much to excite me right now.

00:25:55: Very Nice.

00:25:59: Now we've gotten to Nomelde We'll come back with a second part for this podcast The so called A or B game.

00:26:04: For all these games which consist roughly thirty questions I will ask Meldy to answer as quickly as possible in order get an idea about his intuitive thoughts.

00:26:15: Shall we start?

00:26:16: Yeah, let's go!

00:26:17: Zero or one?

00:26:19: Zero.

00:26:20: Analysis or algebra?

00:26:23: Right on the middle...

00:26:24: So that is a skip.

00:26:26: Coffee or tea?

00:26:27: Coffee definitely.

00:26:28: Beach or mountains?

00:26:30: Mountains.

00:26:31: Snooze or get up?

00:26:33: Snoozes.

00:26:34: Order or chaos?

00:26:36: Order

00:26:37: The morning or night?

00:26:38: Morning

00:26:39: Summer or winter?

00:26:40: Winter.

00:26:41: Science communication, or Olympiad mentoring?

00:26:43: I'll go with the communication.

00:26:47: Math competitions and university exams?

00:26:50: University exams Outreach

00:26:52: or didactics?

00:26:54: Didactics

00:26:56: Three blue one brown or a methodology?

00:26:57: Three

00:26:59: blue ones.

00:26:59: Brown

00:27:00: Number file on math life

00:27:02: balance?

00:27:04: A special place in my heart for number files.

00:27:07: Japan or Australia?

00:27:09: Australia

00:27:09: Sweden or Norway?

00:27:13: Neither.

00:27:15: I feel like I'm obliged to say neither, but I think Norway gets there.

00:27:18: AI or no

00:27:19: AI?

00:27:20: Preferably no AI.

00:27:22: Chemistry of physics?

00:27:23: Physics.

00:27:24: Probability or group theory?

00:27:28: Group Theory.

00:27:30: Operator Algebra or algebraic topology?

00:27:32: Operate Algebra.

00:27:33: Going To The Gym Or Going Climbing?

00:27:36: Right now going to the gym!

00:27:39: Conceptual proofs or technical proof?

00:27:41: Conceptual Proofs.

00:27:43: Combinatorics are abstract nonsense.

00:27:45: Oh, I love both!

00:27:48: Great.

00:27:49: Work at home or work in the office?

00:27:50: Definitely an office.

00:27:52: Invented or discovered?

00:27:55: Invent it.

00:27:56: Mensa or cookatome?

00:27:58: Lementor.

00:27:59: Clapping or knocking?

00:28:01: Clapping

00:28:02: to be or not-to-be?

00:28:03: To be great.

00:28:04: so why do you say preferably no AI?

00:28:09: I feel like i just have some philosophical ethical problems with AI but it seems that its getting more and more difficult to avoid.

00:28:19: So do you never use it, try to get ideas for research or something?

00:28:24: Yeah...I tried to avoid it..but I think im slipping into this habit.

00:28:29: But Im also very aware of the fact thats a good tool for doing research.

00:28:34: at the same time I'm also just a new PhD student, so i need to learn actually sit down and do calculations myself.

00:28:40: So really not rely on too much external help?

00:28:43: Yeah certainly!

00:28:45: Maybe it's the easiest time for me as a PhD

00:28:47: student...

00:28:48: But is this ever-useful?

00:28:51: Has that been very useful to you?

00:28:53: The use of AIR?

00:28:54: Yes..I have had some use in pointing at directions which I haven't previously thought about.

00:29:00: Are you ever scared its going take over Mathematics?

00:29:04: Yeah, I am scared of that.

00:29:05: Okay?

00:29:06: I'm also kind-of interested in what will happen.

00:29:09: Let's just phrase it this way.

00:29:10: But yeah

00:29:11: and you know when you don't have a permanent position You're gonna think about this little bit more than i would like to.

00:29:19: So for the final part of the podcast I'm going To ask you five quick questions where we'll asked you two answer Like one or two sentences.

00:29:27: And The first question is What Is your favorite mathematical theorem?

00:29:31: I have a sub-spot for Ryan's Theorem and Group Theory, just that the order is dividing group.

00:29:38: Yeah... I don't know why but when i first learned it was very cool there.

00:29:43: somehow this simple idea of things dividing each other can actually give you structure groups with prime order stuff like that.

00:29:51: yeah we find they're really cool.

00:29:55: which are your results or achievements so far?

00:29:57: It doesn't have to be mathematical results, it can be anything.

00:30:03: I feel like actually just you know deciding to move the Germany and go somewhere else.

00:30:09: Take this... Like try take my Mathematical career seriously And of betting on myself that i could do this

00:30:15: Probably even though was very comfortable in Copenhagen right?

00:30:17: Yeah exactly To me definitely getting out off my comfort zone.

00:30:21: Im proud of chosen that.

00:30:24: Which Mathematica field might you've chose if not your current one?

00:30:27: I think algebraic topology would be like an obvious one maybe, but i think... ...i could have gotten interested in a lot of stuff.

00:30:34: I've done a bit of probability theory that was really cool as well and... ...mathematical physics maybe?

00:30:40: I think most fields are very interesting.

00:30:44: So you also like applied math?

00:30:47: I don't know any applied maths!

00:30:50: I have some statistician friends And some other things they're doing seem very boring or something seems very-very cool.

00:30:55: so There might also be an avenue there.

00:30:58: Okay,

00:30:59: is that something in your professional life so far you have done differently?

00:31:03: The answer can also be no.

00:31:04: I mean...I feel like the path was so clean and clear as a whole time!

00:31:10: I think i've made some pretty good decisions for myself at a lot of points And maybe..i don't think....i'm very satisfied with outcome but it would have been a good idea to sometimes just step up Namely because I've had such a streamlined time for everything.

00:31:26: So, i'm happy with all of the choices that are made but it was maybe like two predetermined sometimes.

00:31:33: And finally very hard question Because you as well as me Are just starting.

00:31:39: But what advice would give students now considering mathematics research?

00:31:43: Maybe a bachelor's student?

00:31:45: so may be slightly controversial thing... ...but y'know..I feel pure math is is very nice in the sense that we really, like it's so abstract and beautiful.

00:31:55: but also if you do some more applied things then there might be better opportunities later somehow.

00:32:02: And I feel like we have kind of cornered ourselves by choosing something that is so abstract where its more difficult to transition into something else.

00:32:10: So i'm not saying don't.

00:32:12: If you have like very broad interest, then I think it's really worth exploring some of those different interests both because you might end up finding out that there is some other area that has more applications.

00:32:24: That you also really enjoy and maybe enjoyed a lot more.

00:32:26: but if you choose to do math than you know that its better than all these alternatives cause we've actually tried them.

00:32:32: so i think trying lots of things not just having one abstract math course and then kind of sailing in only doing this

00:32:41: yeah makes sense.

00:32:42: Thank you very much.

00:32:45: If you enjoyed the conversation with Melde as much as I did, please consider sharing this episode with a friend or colleague.

00:32:50: in the show notes You can also find a link to the video part of my conversation where he traces the road from diagonalizing a matrix To the notion office C star algebra.

00:33:00: i'm Carlo and I will catch you on the next tangent.