Drawn to Moscow by Russia’s Math Tradition

Mauro Mariani, a mathematician from Italy who is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Mathematics at HSE, studies probability theory and statistical mechanics. Prior to joining HSE in 2017, he held faculty positions in France and Italy after obtaining his PhD from the Sapienza University of Rome.

While he moved to Moscow largely because of family circumstances, Professor Mariani also says that he was drawn by the Russian math tradition, which he says has been among the most influential of the 20th century.

‘The lion’s share of my scientific education was undertaken on books and papers by now legendary Russian mathematicians and physicists, so it’s exciting to interact directly with that tradition’, he says.

Professor Mariani is looking forward to engaging with the Moscow math community, including through collaboration with local researchers and students, as well as inviting foreign scientists to visit and give talks here. He is also looking to learn more about the research subjects that are most popular in Moscow and to work with Russian mathematicians in their own environment.

As for living in Moscow, he says that his previous stints in other large cities like New York and Paris prepared him well, although he remains impressed by the size of the city.  

‘Moscow is a really heterogeneous town’, he says about life in the city. ‘Living standards and costs, available services, etc., change dramatically from street to street, sometimes from building to building. One should weigh carefully where he or she wants to live’.

As for what he likes most, Professor Mariani notes the cultural offerings in Moscow, cycling accessibility, and large green areas. He also appreciates the feeling of variety.

‘The light, landscape, terrain and fauna change so much from winter to summer, that one has the impression of living in two different places’. 

Anna Chernyakhovskaya, specially for HSE News service

 

May 15, 2018