{"id":40743,"date":"2025-08-05T16:08:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T14:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/fstm-en\/?post_type=testimonials&p=40743"},"modified":"2025-12-16T08:03:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T07:03:03","slug":"more-than-a-numbers-game-mathematics-as-an-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"testimonials","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/fstm-en\/testimonials\/more-than-a-numbers-game-mathematics-as-an-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"More than a numbers game: mathematics as an inspiration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In 2018, 22-year-old bachelor student Tara Trauthwein received a Uni.lu Top Student Award. After a master\u2019s in mathematics at Cambridge University, the Luxembourg student returned to Uni.lu to pursue her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Giovanni Peccati. Currently a postdoc at Oxford University, she just received the esteemed Rolf Tarrach 2024 award<\/a> for her doctoral thesis.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our interview, the Luxembourg researcher speaks about the elegance of mathematics, the benefits of studying abroad, the Uni.lu mathematics department and how to overcome stressful times during a PhD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While always a gifted student, it was Math olympiads<\/a> that got her hooked to the subject in high school. \u201cIn school, you learn about the rules, how to apply them and calculate things. But math olympiads introduce you to a very different way of doing things. You get a problem to solve, and you have your math toolbox at your disposal, and now you need to get creative. It\u2019s unlike anything you\u2019ve tried in class.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara\u2019s mindset about mathematics changed. \u201cThat moment when you realise how to solve a problem, that\u2019s very addictive. It\u2019s like solving puzzles, at least for me, it is. Research, too, is like puzzles you need to crack, by trying different angles and ideas, and suddenly one enlightening idea leads to the solution.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nHow to randomly meet the Grand-Duke of Luxembourg in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And so began her international training, as math olympiads brought her to Brugge (Belgium), Turkey, Belarus, Thailand. These early travels exposed her to many of the things she would later experience in research: cross-cultural communication, living and working with people from very different backgrounds, as well as resilience and resourcefulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uni.lu, a semester abroad is mandatory for all bachelor students and considered an essential part of the bachelor study experience. Tara chose Kyoto University for her semester abroad and even learned a bit of Japanese before travelling. \u201cIt\u2019s a unique opportunity to live in a completely different place, to experience a different culture during a limited period of time. You are not on your own, there is financial and organisational support. So, it\u2019s an easy way to have a very enriching experience.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile I was studying in Kyoto, the Grand-Duke of Luxembourg made a state visit to Japan. Every Luxembourger there was invited to an event, so I actually met the Grand-Duke in Japan!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This international setting also prepared her for life as a doctoral candidate. \u201cAmong the PhDs at the University of Luxembourg, you have this very rich, international and diverse community, which is great to be in.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nWhen I tell people at conferences that I did my PhD in Luxembourg, they know what I\u2019m talking about<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After her master\u2019s, a couple of factors brought her back to Luxembourg for her PhD.  \u201cMy supervisor, Giovanni Peccati<\/a>, is an amazing teacher, I knew early on that I wanted to do my PhD with him. In addition, the research that is carried out in the Department of Mathematics is well known, the researchers are really on top of their game. When I tell people at conferences that I did my PhD in Luxembourg, they know what I\u2019m talking about.\u201d<\/em>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLuxembourg and Oxford are very much at opposite ends of the age spectrum, each having their own benefits. Oxford carries a lot of tradition and all the rituals that have been kept over the years. But both places are very international, which I found highly enjoyable. Uni.lu being this very young, dynamic place, I could help shape it while it gets bigger and better. \u201c <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nTo appreciate your PhD, learn to enjoy the process \u2013 and tolerate frustration\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And in terms of lessons learnt for aspiring doctoral candidates? \u201cAt times, it can get frustrating to be stuck, to work for a long time on a problem\u201d, she smiles. \u201cThat\u2019s when you have to remember that you\u2019re doing this because you like mathematics and the beauty of it. It\u2019s about finding joy in the journey before reaching the destination.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not alone, your supervisor can steer you towards things that are achievable. If you have been working for too long on a problem, take a break and come back with a fresh mind. You usually find new ways to go about a question. And sometimes you might not solve your original problem, but you\u2019ll usually have discovered some other interesting ideas along the way.\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, communication, whether with peers or outside the math sphere, is paramount. \u201cThe best mathematicians today are those that have knowledge in diverse subjects and see connections beyond the obvious.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201f<\/span>\n It\u2019s amazing to stand at a blackboard and discuss a problem with someone and play table tennis with ideas. That is very satisfying. Even if it is someone from a different subject area, just explaining your problem to someone else often helps with sorting your thoughts.\u201d\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Tara Trauthwein<\/p><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\nInspiring girls to do math and work in STEM fields\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Uni.lu mathematics department is very active in outreach, thanks notably to the programmes built by Hugo Parlier and Bruno Teheux, like MathenJeans<\/a> and GirlsExploringMaths,<\/a> as well as events like the Math Day<\/a>  organised by Antonella Perucca. \u201cThese activities are very valuable, since you approach math from a fun and relaxed angle. Plus, seeing people you can relate to doing math helps on a subconscious level, that\u2019s why showcasing diversity is very important, too\u201d, she assures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudying mathematics gives a great basis in critical thinking and problem-solving, and a mindset that is appreciated in industry. You can do a great variety of things with a math diploma.\u201d  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

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\nMathematics at Uni.lu<\/h2>\n\n
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  • \n \n \n \n Mathematics in research areas <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \n \n \n \n Doctoral Programme
    Mathematics and Applications <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \n \n \n \n Studies at the Department of Mathematics <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":40734,"template":"","meta":{"featured_image_focal_point":[],"show_featured_caption":true,"ulux_newsletter_groups":"","uluxPostTitle":"","uluxPrePostTitle":"","_trash_the_other_posts":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"testimonials_person":""},"testimonial-type":[261],"organisation":[303,29],"authorship":[91],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMore than a numbers game: mathematics as an inspiration - FSTM - University of Luxembourg I Uni.lu<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n