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Why did you become a researcher?

It actually took me quite a while to realize that research was the path for me. I was fascinated by mathematics already in high school, but well into my university studies I considered it nearly impossible to pursue a PhD and thus continue as a researcher. There were so many talented students and so few scholarships.

Fortunately, my master鈥檚 thesis supervisor received a large grant that was able to fund a scholarship for me. Slowly, I realized that the combination of research and teaching at university level suited me perfectly. That鈥檚 when it became clear that a research career was ideal for me. I鈥檓 very grateful that it worked out, because permanent academic positions at Danish universities are few and far between.

What else did you dream of becoming?

When I was about ten years old, I dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. But eventually I realized it wasn鈥檛 all about digging up sarcophagi and dinosaur skeletons all day鈥攖hat dream didn鈥檛 quite survive contact with reality.

When I had to choose a field of study, my decision was much more about following what I found exciting than about focusing on a specific career. I don鈥檛 really remember having concrete ambitions at that stage. I just trusted that my studies would lead me somewhere interesting. Over time, the idea of an academic career began to take shape, and that has guided me ever since my PhD years.

What question would you most like to answer?

At the moment, I’m deeply engaged in a mathematical theory concerning quantum distances, and there are many open questions in that area I’d like to tackle.

One of the frustrating things about being a mathematician is that it’s hard to explain exactly what you’re trying to understand without dragging people through a lot of technical details. But in very broad terms, my work seeks to understand how the concept of distance and geometry interact within the mathematical framework that describes phenomena at the quantum level.

How do you hope others will benefit from your research?

Above all, I hope that future generations of researchers will be able to use my results in their own work. One of the beautiful things about mathematics is that what we prove today will be just as true in 100 years. It would mean a lot to me if some of my results find their way into the work of younger mathematicians after I retire.

Of course, it would also be exciting if our very theoretical findings one day find practical applications in physics. But what truly drives me is the theoretical development itself, not the applications.

What do you have in your office that most people don’t?

My office is actually quite standard for a mathematician: a desk, a bookshelf, a chalkboard, and an armchair. On my bookshelf, though, there’s a picture of me, my brother, and my grandfather. It probably belongs there because my grandfather was also a mathematician and played a central role in nurturing my interest in the subject.

Who do you admire?

There are so many people in my field that I admire. It’s a real privilege to have such skilled, creative, and technically brilliant researchers as colleagues.

Among the great figures, one who stands out is John von Neumann (1903–1957). His work from the 1930s forms a huge part of the foundation we still build on today. Beyond being an exceptional mathematician, he was also a physicist and computer scientist, and the list of his achievements is almost endless. What he managed to accomplish in just 54 years is absolutely remarkable.

What do you do when you’re not researching?

I spend most of my time with my family. Having small children is time-consuming in itself, and about six months ago we also embarked on a massive renovation of an old apartment. So there’s plenty to keep me busy outside of work.

I enjoy having practical projects alongside mathematics—they complement each other very well.