"I would like to do research and find a theory for quantum gravity"

12/07/2024

Born in Castellnou de Bages, Pau Palomar Oliver went to secondary and upper secondary school at INS Auro, located in the town of Santpedor. We asked him to visit the UAB for an interview. He arrives with a rucksack carrying his computer and books and a genuine and energetic smile, like many young people his age. He is all words and speaks in a modest and sincere manner.

After the dean of the Faculty of Science, Juan Jesús Donaire, welcomed him to the UAB, he told us his plans for the future, what he expects from his university experience, and some details about his day-to-day life.

-Why did you choose the UAB?
First of all, because it is the one that is closest to home, but also because I saw that the double degree was very well organised. I also attended Open Days and I found the campus to be large and very nice. Plus, I had already visited the Faculty of Science to participate in Saturdays Physics and in the programme Mad About Physics.

-How and when did you discover your passion for physics and mathematics?
-Ever since I was little, I have always been curious about the world, but it wasn't until the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school that I realised that I love discovering and investigating physics and I began watching YouTube videos on physics. I find it very interesting that physics tries to provide answers to things that we still do not have answers for.

-What would you like focus on within this field?
-I am very interested in theoretical physics per se. I would like to research, for example, how to find a theory for quantum gravity. But I am not sure what to specialise in, I hope to discover it during my studies. I do know that I would like to conduct research, and I would like it to be at a leading university or research institute, if possible.

-What is your secret to getting the marks that you got, if you have any?
-Actually, there is no magic formula. What I would say is that you need to be consistent and have all your work up-to-date. It's true that I find studying easy, but if you do not work on it, you will not see any results. Doing your homework everyday is a good way, I think, of going over everything you are learning.

-What do you hope to achieve while you are at university?
-I hope to study only the subjects I am interested in (everything to do with physics and mathematics), and do so with other people that are interested in the same things. And I think that will already make me happy with my studies!

-In addition to studying, what else do you do?
-I play football on my town's junior team, in Castellnou de Bages. I don't know if I will be able to continue playing next year, we will have to see, because it will depend on the time I will need to dedicate to the double degree. And I also play the guitar and the drums, although noit as often as I would like to. This year I signed up for drum lessons, but I had to stop. I do play the guitar more at home. My dad is a musician, he plays the guitar, so we sometimes play together.

-Do you like to read? What books do you read?
-I do, but I read less than I would like to... Let's see, I read, but most books are about science. I also like other things, but the truth is that I do not have much time.

-What are you doing now, in July, for example?
-Well, I am doing a "summer camp" for international science students: BIYSC (Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge), organised by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation. We spend 10 days in Barcelona conducting science projects, in groups. We come from different places, New Zealand, the US, Kazakhstan, etc. And I am having a lot fun!

-And what project are you working on?
-We are working on something really interesting, a quantum project that demonstrates that Einstein got one of his theories wrong.

-Wow... sounds like a great project! Is there any specific scientist you admire in this field? Einstein, Stephen Hawking...?
-Well, I admire many of them, I couldn't say just one... There is a leading physicist or mathematician in each branch... there are so many of them and I cannot highlight just one.

-What is it about physics that has got you hooked on it, Pau?
-Physics helps us understand how things work. I find that fascinating. And it can be applied to many fields to make devices and systems that we use work better and, in that way, we can improve our lives.

This information is related to the following SDG

• Quality education