VS: I’ve been doing competitive math since I was really young, probably around second or third grade. However, I only started training seriously and attending international competitions in high school. Math appealed to me because it’s purely logical. Unlike other subjects, you get to solve complex problems rather than answering simple questions or memorizing facts.
GTF: Do you have a favorite topic in math?
VS: I like number theory the most because the questions are often very simple, yet solving them requires deep thinking and complex methods. Theoretical math is interesting because it stands on its own. Even if you were locked up in a room, you could still conduct research in math. Theoretical math exists in its own universe, self-contained and independent. What I find most interesting is that it operates by its own set of rules, unaffected by anything else.
GTF: Can you explain your research in number theory?
VS: It started with a problem from the Balkan Mathematical Olympiad, which introduced me to an interesting topic. Reading more about this matter, I came across a paper by Erdős and Mirsky, who posed a question they couldn't answer. I gave it some thought and eventually managed to partially solve it.
I shared my findings on arXiv, and to my surprise, Prof. Andrew Granville, a renowned mathematician, contacted me and contributed to my work, helping me improve my result. It was an exciting moment, as I hadn’t expected my idea to attract attention from such a prominent figure. With the help of Prof. Alexandru Gica, I later published the paper in the PUMP Journal of Undergraduate Research.
My research focuses on bounding the length of sequences of integers with the same number of divisors. The main idea was to find a connection between the divisor function and the small omega function. While I aimed for a logarithmic bound, which is heuristically true, I ended up with a slightly weaker result.
I aspire to become a professor and I think that research is very interesting, so it is definitely a career path I am considering.
GTF: How are you feeling about starting university at Cambridge?
VS: I’m really excited, but I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve heard many nice things, so I think it will be fun. I’m especially looking forward to seeing the friends I’ve made at international competitions and camps, who will also be at Trinity.
GTF: What are your interests outside of math?
VS: I like watching movies, playing video games, and sports. I’m really good at ping pong, and I also enjoy skiing and football. I recently started playing badminton because it’s popular in England.
GTF: What mindset do you think is important when participating in competitions?
VS: For me, the most effective mindset is not to worry too much about the competition. It may sound strange, but if you go there to enjoy the experience and don’t stress about the outcome, you’ll perform better. The pressure simply fades away when you’re not focused on the result.
