How did you come to study mathematics?
Well, to be honest, for a long time I had nothing to do with mathematics, and if my teachers from my school days are anything to go by, that's a terrible decision for most of them, which I will only regret - because they wouldn't have thought me capable of something like that. At the age of 16, I was still very keen to become a professional tennis player, and in the course of this I even moved to Serbia for a while with the aim of doing just that. After a few months of a strict lifestyle, I suffered an injury in which I fell and broke my left wrist. This forced me to return to Germany, and that was the beginning of the end of that wish, as circumstances changed in the months I couldn't do anything. Trainers and opportunities had moved away, and despite a few attempts, I realized that this was no longer the path for me. Then I understood: where one door closes, another opens - and at the same time I met a math student in my tutoring. One of his first sentences was: “I don't want you to take notes and memorize formulas today, just listen to me.”& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; #160;
I then sensed the joy he had in mathematics and how this joy bubbled over to me. Suddenly it was no longer about memorizing formulas, but about logical thinking and deducing them. It was like a game and a puzzle where it was always fun to learn and understand new things. When I graduated from high school and was faced with the question of what to do with my life, it was clear that mathematics was now my open door. So I decided - with the joy that was conveyed to me to go down this path and study mathematics.
What are you researching in your doctorate?
My main focus is on so-called Gaussian processes and their application in artificial intelligence and machine learning. They are a kind of generalization of the Gaussian bell curve, which most people are already familiar with from their school days. Above all, it is about how they can be used to solve complicated problems described by partial differential equations based on measured data. They are so useful precisely because they are based on extensive mathematical theory and are very easy to understand in application. A very obvious application example is the prediction of velocities and temperatures of a fluid in a channel, based on some measurements of these quantities at different points in time. You are now doing your doctorate.
What can you say about this journey through your studies?
Do you still have the same joy and motivation as when you started?
Well, it would be a lie to say that my attitude towards mathematics and research hasn't changed over the years.But that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy it.Rather, euphoric enthusiasm has turned into calm satisfaction. With each passing day, I realize more and more how important it is to remember what you're doing it for. One lesson I've learned for life in general is that it's important not to lose sight of your goal and your initial motivation and dreams. Otherwise you can quickly become overwhelmed by the stress of studying or by doubts about yourself.It is also so important to build community and friendships and to encourage each other.For the people I've been able to get to know over all these years and who I can now call my friends, this is truly something precious.
What are your plans for the future?Do you have any concrete plans?
To be honest, no - and I'm happy with that. I used to worry a lot about what the future would bring. But recently I've come to peace and the realization that the journey really is the destination and that I should enjoy the journey.
I place much more emphasis on making the most of moments outside of university, such as my love of baking or my Christian faith in the form of community work and fellowship. On February 7, 2025, I took and passed an exam that qualifies me to pursue the confectionery trade.Whether I will now run a pastry shop permanently, pursue mathematics in an academic context or something completely different - like becoming a pastor - I don't know.However, all these options now make me curious about what the future holds, in contrast to the fact that not so long ago I was afraid of uncertainty.Mathematics has given me many wonderful experiences, and it has allowed me to meet even more wonderful people.I am very grateful for that and for all the skills it has taught me throughout my life.No matter where I end up later, my studies have played a significant role in my development and I would never regret that.So I would encourage everyone to go their own way with joy and to really make use of the experience.
Aleksandar Arsenijevic M.Sc.
Institute for Stochastics and Applications