Moduli spaces of algebraic curves and mathematical physics

The moduli space of curves is the space of all complex structures on a given compact two-dimensional surface. This is a complicated topological space with a very rich and interesting geometry. The moduli space of curves plays a central role in modern curve counting theories, like Gromov-Witten theory, which studies the number of algebraic curves with certain properties containing in some algebraic variety. Remarkably, the moduli space of curves also lies at the crossroad of many other mathematical disciplines, including the theory of integrable partial differential equations, differential geometry, singularity theory, combinatorics.

There are many starting points for a PhD project in this area. One can study the topological properties of the moduli space of curves, in particular, its cohomology groups. Another possibility could be to study the relations of the moduli space of curves with the theory of integrable partial differential equations. Certain differential geometric structures, related to the moduli space of curves, in particular, the Frobenius manifolds and their generalizations, could also be an object of research for a PhD project.