IMPRS Combo V: Mathematics meets Physics, Computer Science and Neuroscience

From March 9 to 11, our institute hosted the fifth IMPRS-Combo event, bringing together 30 PhD students to explore mathematics and its historical development, as well as its connections to physics, computer science and neuroscience.

This year’s program featured a diverse mix of two mini-courses and two guest lectures. In the first mini-course, Karin Baur introduced the field of cluster algebras, which are relevant to areas including combinatorics, algebraic geometry, hyperbolic geometry and high energy physics. The second mini-course, presented by Alessandra Caraceni, focused on stochastic mixing and included connections to probability, physics and computing science.

The scientific focus was rounded off by two guest lectures: Jürgen Jost presented on the history of modern geometry, while Nico Scherf, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, discussed the role of geometry in neuroscience. Participants took advantage of the opportunity to engage in intensive discussions with researchers from Leipzig and other institutions, strengthening scientific networks and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.