From Physics Olympiad to building Quantum Computers

Debopriyo Biswas
17 Jun 202306:57
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, Debo, a PhD candidate in experimental physics at Duke University, shares his inspiring journey from participating in the Physics Olympiad to conducting quantum computing research. He emphasizes the importance of passion and persistence over innate talent, recounting his struggles and successes, including representing Bangladesh at the International Physics Olympiad and moving quantum computers across states. Debo invites viewers interested in STEM careers to engage with him for guidance and support, offering to share his experiences and insights through his channel.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 The speaker is a PhD candidate in experimental physics and specializes in quantum computing research.
  • 🤓 The audience is encouraged to engage with the content, as the speaker aims to inspire and guide them through their own research journey.
  • 🏆 The speaker's interest in physics was sparked by participating in the Bangladesh Physics Olympiad, where they achieved fourth place and a gold medal.
  • 👨‍🏫 Despite initial hesitation from their parents, the speaker's passion for physics research led them to argue and prove their capabilities.
  • 🌟 The speaker's persistence paid off, eventually representing Bangladesh at the International Physics Olympiad in Kazakhstan in 2014.
  • 🧠 The speaker emphasizes that passion and persistence are more important than raw talent in physics and math for a successful career in physics.
  • 🔄 The speaker experienced setbacks, such as not making the team for the International Physics Olympiad in 2013, but used it as motivation to improve.
  • 🎓 The speaker's undergraduate journey began at Princeton University, where they discovered a preference for experimental over theoretical physics.
  • 💡 The speaker's work in quantum computing began with a summer project in a silicon quantum devices group and continued through their senior thesis.
  • 📚 After graduating in 2019, the speaker moved on to graduate school, first at the University of Maryland, then to Duke University with their advisor.
  • 🚀 The speaker is currently working on a second-generation quantum computing system, building upon their previous work and looking forward to new discoveries.
  • 💖 The speaker expresses gratitude for their journey and the opportunities they've had, and wishes to give back by sharing their experiences through videos.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker's current academic status?

    -The speaker is a PhD candidate in experimental physics at Duke University.

  • What sparked the speaker's interest in physics?

    -The speaker's interest in physics was sparked by participating in the Bangladesh Physics Olympiad for the first time in 2011, where they won a gold medal.

  • How did the speaker's parents initially feel about their career choice in physics research?

    -The speaker's parents were initially hesitant about their career choice in physics research.

  • What was the speaker's experience at the International Physics Olympiad?

    -The speaker represented Bangladesh at the International Physics Olympiad in Kazakhstan in 2014, where they received an honorable mention.

  • What was the speaker's first realization about their academic interests during their undergraduate studies?

    -During their undergraduate studies at Princeton University, the speaker realized they did not have the passion or skills for theoretical physics but enjoyed experiments a lot.

  • What project did the speaker work on during their first summer at Princeton University?

    -The speaker worked on a computational biophysics project in a fruit fly lab during their first summer at Princeton University.

  • What was the significance of the speaker's second summer project at Princeton University?

    -The speaker's second summer project was significant because it was in a silicon quantum devices group with a professor they had been interested in since high school, fulfilling a dream of working on quantum computing.

  • What did the speaker do for their senior thesis project at Princeton University?

    -For their senior thesis project, the speaker worked in a superconducting circuits group, fabricating 3D cavities and using them for quantum simulation problems.

  • What was the speaker's first experience with a quantum computer?

    -The speaker's first experience with a quantum computer was during their graduate school at the University of Maryland, where they worked in a lab on trapped ion quantum computing.

  • What was the challenge the speaker faced when moving to Duke University?

    -The challenge the speaker faced when moving to Duke University was moving their labs, including their quantum computing devices, from Maryland to North Carolina.

  • What is the speaker's current research focus at Duke University?

    -The speaker's current research focus at Duke University is on a second-generation quantum computing system, continuing from the first generation system they started as a grad student.

  • How does the speaker plan to give back to the community?

    -The speaker plans to give back by making videos that can help those interested in STEM careers, providing guidance on research positions, and applying to U.S. universities.

Outlines
00:00
🎓 Journey to Quantum Computing Research

Debo, a PhD candidate in experimental physics, shares his academic journey from his initial interest in Physics Olympiad to his current research in quantum computing. He discusses his early achievements in the Olympiad, the challenges he faced, including a heartbreaking near-miss at the International Physics Olympiad, and his persistence that led to representing Bangladesh in 2014. Debo emphasizes the importance of passion and persistence over raw talent in physics and math. He then outlines his undergraduate experience at Princeton University, where he discovered his preference for experimental physics and computational biophysics, and his eventual dream realization of working in a quantum computing lab.

05:02
🚀 Transition to Graduate Studies and Quantum Computing

Debo narrates the transition from his undergraduate studies to his graduate work, which began at the University of Maryland with a focus on trapped ion quantum computing. He describes the unique experience of moving his lab, including quantum computing devices, from Maryland to North Carolina when his advisor took a position at Duke University. At Duke, Debo continues to work on the second generation of quantum computing systems, expressing excitement for the new physics questions he will explore. He reflects on his ten-year journey in physics, expressing gratitude for the opportunities he has had and a desire to give back by sharing his experiences and guiding others interested in STEM careers through his videos.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡PhD candidate
A PhD candidate is a student who has completed the coursework and preliminary examinations for a doctoral degree and is working on their thesis. In the video, the narrator is a PhD candidate in experimental physics, which is central to the theme of academic and research journey in the field of quantum computing.
💡Quantum computing
Quantum computing is a field that utilizes quantum bits or qubits to perform computations. It is a rapidly advancing area of research with potential to revolutionize computing. The video's narrator discusses their research in quantum computing, which is a key part of the narrative and represents the cutting-edge technology they are exploring.
💡Physics Olympiad
The Physics Olympiad is an international competition for high school students that tests their understanding of physics. In the script, the narrator's involvement with the Physics Olympiad is a pivotal moment that sparked their interest in physics and set them on the path to a career in the field.
💡Experimental physics
Experimental physics is a branch of physics that emphasizes experimental work to discover and test physical phenomena. The narrator identifies as a PhD candidate in experimental physics, indicating that their research involves hands-on experiments and empirical investigation, which is a core aspect of their academic journey.
💡International Physics Olympiad
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is a prestigious competition where pre-university students from around the world participate. The narrator mentions representing Bangladesh in the IPhO, which highlights a significant achievement in their early academic career and their dedication to physics.
💡Passion and persistence
Passion and persistence are key attributes that drive individuals to pursue their interests and overcome challenges. The narrator emphasizes the importance of these qualities in their journey, suggesting that while academic ability is important, it is passion and persistence that truly propel one's research and career.
💡Undergraduate journey
The undergraduate journey refers to the educational path one takes to earn a bachelor's degree. The narrator discusses their undergraduate experience at Princeton University, which was a formative period where they discovered their interests and honed their skills, ultimately leading to their focus on quantum computing.
💡Computational biophysics
Computational biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that applies computational methods to study biological systems at a physical level. The narrator's work on a computational biophysics project during their undergraduate years represents an early exposure to research and a stepping stone towards their current work in quantum computing.
💡Superconducting circuits
Superconducting circuits are components used in quantum computing that exploit the phenomenon of superconductivity to create quantum bits. The narrator's work with superconducting circuits in their senior thesis project is directly related to their current research in quantum computing and represents a practical application of their theoretical knowledge.
💡Graduate school
Graduate school is the academic institution where individuals pursue a master's or doctoral degree. The narrator's transition to graduate school at the University of Maryland marks a new phase in their academic and research career, where they delve deeper into quantum computing and contribute to advanced research.
💡Trapped ion quantum computing
Trapped ion quantum computing is a type of quantum computing that uses trapped ions as qubits. The narrator's work in a lab focused on trapped ion quantum computing is a specific area of quantum computing that they explore, which is central to the theme of pushing the boundaries of technology and understanding in physics.
Highlights

Introduction of the speaker as a PhD candidate in experimental physics and quantum computing research at Duke University.

Discussion about the speaker's journey starting from participating in the Bangladesh Physics Olympiad in 2011.

The speaker's initial success in the Physics Olympiad, achieving fourth place and receiving a gold medal.

Overcoming parental hesitation towards a career in physics by demonstrating passion and capability.

Representation of Bangladesh in the International Physics Olympiad in Kazakhstan in 2014, receiving an honorable mention.

The importance of passion and persistence in physics, rather than just being good at math and physics.

Facing failure in 2013 when missing out on the chance to represent Bangladesh at the International Physics Olympiad, but using it as a learning opportunity.

Beginning of undergraduate studies at Princeton University in 2015 and the realization that experimental physics was more suitable than theoretical physics.

Working in a silicon quantum devices group at Princeton, fulfilling a long-time dream of researching quantum computing.

Graduating from Princeton in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in physics and moving on to graduate school.

Joining a cutting-edge lab at the University of Maryland, working on trapped ion quantum computing systems.

Moving the quantum computing lab from Maryland to Duke University in 2021 and continuing advanced research.

Current work at Duke on a second-generation quantum computing system, continuing to push the boundaries of quantum research.

The speaker reflects on how their 16-year-old self would be amazed but not surprised by their current accomplishments.

Encouragement to viewers interested in STEM careers, offering to provide guidance and answer questions in future videos.

Transcripts

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