Exponential sums modulo powers of primes, singularity theory, and local global principles

The theme of the talk is around the theory of Igusa’s local zeta functions, his broader program on local global principles, and recent progress on these via singularity theory and the minimal model program with M. Mustata and K. H. Nguyen. I will also present some new open questions that push Igusa’s program further, and partial evidence obtained with K. H. Nguyen.