Charting a path to mathematical physics
How Danial Ghamari is building his career towards becoming a researcher and professor in mathematical physics.
Danial Ghamari (he/him) is a fourth-year Mathematical Physics student. He shares how he has discovered his passion for theoretical physics and how co-op has helped him gain valuable research experience.
Danial's co-op journey
Before co-op: During high school, Danial was a Physics Olympiad lecturer. He taught methods for solving physics problems, as well as teaching undergraduate electromagnetism, classical mechanics and mathematical methods for physicists. He taught these concepts to younger students who were preparing for the Physics Olympiad.
Work term one: His first co-op was as a math tutor at the University of Waterloo’s Math Tutoring Centre. There, Danial helped first and second-year students with their calculus and linear algebra courses.
Work term two: Danial’s second work term was at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) as a research assistant for Professor Eduardo Martin-Martinez, focusing on quantum theory.
Q&A with Danial
Why did you choose to study mathematical physics?
“I was always curious about how things worked, but I wasn’t curious about applications as much. I was curious about how things worked fundamentally and why things work the way they do. That’s how I got into physics.”
“In physics, there are a bunch of different branches that you can go into, like theory or experimental work. I was never an experimentalist. I worked in labs but it was never my thing. I really always loved fundamental theory. I love descriptions of theory that are very mathematical because they’re very precise. I really loved math as well, so I just put my favourite two fields together and that’s why I’m studying mathematical physics.”
“Waterloo has one of the best Mathematical Physics programs in Canada and the co-op program is amazing as well. Plus, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is right next to us, so it was a simple decision to make.”
What is the most challenging thing about co-op?
“The job search would be one of the most difficult challenges, especially for me because I wanted to apply for research assistant positions specifically in theoretical physics, not experimental. Most of them were experimental. If there were any theory-based positions, it was very competitive. I remember one post where there was one position available and around 300 applicants.”
“Especially when you have to balance job applications with courses and other things you have to meet deadlines for, it can get hectic. At some points, it was hard because I couldn’t get the jobs I wanted, and there were so few available. Most of the jobs I saw were somewhat irrelevant to what I wanted to do.”
“I was able to land research positions by reaching out to professors. Getting into contact with them and starting to go down the research path has kept me motivated during this process.”
How has co-op helped you with your career goals?
“It’s helped to show me how to make résumés and cover letters, especially curriculum vitaes (CVs) for my case specifically. It’s been a great practice for interviewing and applying to jobs, which is important for the future.”
“Co-op has been great for me because the programs I want to apply to for my master’s and PhD are very competitive and being able to have research experience at all is amazing. Co-op has given me the opportunity to gain research experience and hopefully put out a paper some time before my undergrad ends.”
“When I apply to grad school, it’s going to look great on my résumé. Research is definitely important for my field of study. I want to become a researcher or a professor, so my experience is exactly aligned with what I want to do. Co-op has given me the time in my undergrad to achieve that before I apply to grad school.”
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done during a work term?
“I’ve been able to learn a lot of concepts in physics, for instance quantum field theory. I self-studied from lots of textbooks and I really enjoyed that aspect of research.”
“Depending on what subfields you do research in, how you do the research can look very different. For mine, quantum field theory and relativistic quantum information, there was a good chunk of learning before I could actually start doing research. I loved that part because I just really love learning.”
“I want to make the transition into string theory and mathematical physics, and they have even more learning you need to do before you can do research, so I’m looking forward to that.”
What’s next for you?
“I’m going to make the transition from the field of quantum field theory and relativistic quantum information to string theory and mathematical physics. I’m talking to a researcher at the Perimeter Institute. Hopefully I can land a research assistant position with him and do research in that field.”
“I’m hoping to work with him in my next co-op term and then apply to grad school under his supervision, then at some point become a professor in mathematical physics. I would say that’s the trajectory I want to go with.”