Radu Laza

Why did you choose Lund University?

Lund University is one of the most well-known universities in Europe, with a long-standing reputation for excellence in research and education. The mathematics department in particular has a very strong international profile and an active, high-level research environment. I was also encouraged by the fact that my wife is already affiliated with Lund, which gave me the opportunity to visit the university firsthand. 

During my visit, I was greatly impressed by the quality of the department and the collegial atmosphere, as well as by the unique academic setting of Lund itself. Altogether, these factors made Lund University a very natural and attractive choice for my visiting appointment.

Can you briefly describe your current research?

My research is in algebraic geometry, with a particular focus on Hodge theory and moduli spaces. I am especially interested in the geometry of K-trivial varieties and the structure of their moduli. A significant part of my work concerns hyperkähler manifolds, including questions about their geometry and degenerations. More recently, I have become interested in the construction of compact moduli spaces for Calabi–Yau varieties, particularly through the use of period maps and related tools from modern Hodge theory.

What will be your main research focus during your time at Lund University?

During my time at Lund University, I plan to focus on questions related to Hodge theory, moduli, and families of Calabi–Yau varieties. In particular, I look forward to working with my colleague Anitha Thillaisundaram on problems concerning monodromy groups arising in certain Calabi–Yau families. 

I also hope to develop collaborations with researchers in the region, including colleagues at nearby universities such as Gothenburg and Copenhagen. More broadly, I expect that my visit will contribute to and strengthen the ongoing research activities in algebra and geometry at Lund.