Joan Simon
Students Ella Yu and Laura O'Sullivan have worked together to produce this article as part of our series of Academic Interviews; featuring Joan Simon!
Joan Simon was born in Barcelona and was attracted to the area of mathematical physics from a young age. He was captivated by the idea of time and yearned to understand it better, this inspired him to study physics at University. As he delved further into maths and physics during his degree, he found the material challenging, but was motivated to learn more and more. He completed his undergraduate studies and PhD at the University of Barcelona and became the first person in his family to go into academia.
Post-Doctoral Work
After completing his PhD, Joan secured a postdoc position at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. He values the time spent there as he learned a lot both personally and scientifically. Exposed to a new culture and way of life; he observed through interactions with colleagues how methods of doing maths and approaching problems could be different. This was his first time living outside Barcelona and he is very grateful to his colleagues, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, for the enriching experience he had, “I owe them, they helped me and I learned a lot in those three years”. Joan encourages others to take the opportunity to work with people from different countries and different backgrounds. After spending three years in Israel, he held a postdoctoral position in the University of Pennsylvania and The University of California, Berkeley in the USA.
Mathematical Physics Research
Joan’s current research is in the area of mathematical physics; this consists of describing how the universe works. Nature is made up of two main building blocks – atoms, which are controlled by a theory called quantum mechanics, and large-scale objects such as galaxies and planets, for which the general theory of relativity is used. These two theories are very different and the attempt to link them is one of the most pressing problems in modern day physics.
Black holes are believed to be the bridge between quantum mechanics and general relativity, which is the area to which Joan’s research relates. Black holes are objects that satisfy Einstein’s equations, meaning they have a general relativity description, but they satisfy properties similar to the characteristics which atoms do. They also satisfy the same laws of Einstein’s equations as gasses, despite black holes appearing to be different to them. This raises one of the most important questions of the field - are black holes made up of atoms and molecules like gases? If so, what are these atoms and molecules?
The major challenge of understanding black holes and connecting general relativity with quantum mechanics has been the driving force behind Joan’s motivation for his work and staying in academia; besides teaching the next generation of mathematicians and scientists.
PhD in string theory
Joan did not start out researching black holes. His PhD was in the area of string theory, the idea that the particles in particle physics are in fact one-dimensional strings. Great progress has been made in this field since he first began his research; for years, toy models of black holes were used that considered other theories that differ to Einstein’s equations. The black holes in these models were more symmetrical, meaning the atoms could be controlled in a mathematically easier way.
As a result of the mathematical developments made over the years, the field has abandoned using toy models and has returned to the original questions asked in relation to black holes. Joan was not so optimistic when he first began his career that the major questions of this field would be answered in his lifetime, however the recent developments have shown great promise.
He’s been studying these questions for 18 years and is still fascinated by the field all this time later, “Enjoying what I do on a regular basis is important… it’s a wonderful thing to be able to put time into something that you love, it’s a gift”.
Advice to students
For students who are searching for a particular area of maths to work on and research, Joan recommends being open minded, investing time to gather information and getting in touch with lecturers of courses that interest you. However, it is important to know that you can pursue your own passions, “You are welcome to follow your nose. Don’t allow other people like me to discourage you from what you may find interesting”.
Joan encourages young people to stand up for what they believe in, even if others are doing the same. He believes that they can see the flaws in the rules and laws that govern our society such as the ones that inhibit our attempts to stop climate change. Young people are necessary in maths and science as they have fresh perspectives on things and Joan encourages them to challenge their seniors so that we can progress and improve the world we live in.