Hyo Jung Park

Biography

I am a senior at Smith College in Northampton, MA, graduating with a B.A. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics. I first discovered an interest in physics in the 10th grade when I read the book QED by Richard Feynman. I did not understand many of the details in the book then, but I was totally mesmerized by quantum physics and the way Feynman presents it. Physics is beautiful, I thought, and since then, I have been studying physics in college. My first research experience was during my sophomore year, where I helped build inductor-capacitor circuits (oscillators) that exhibit frustrated dynamics. My involvement in the project was only for a semester, but it was long enough for me to realize that I love solving problems that don’t always have definite solutions. This realization led me to my second research project, where I computationally studied how particular structures of polymer knots dictate their dynamics (knot strands’ fluctuations). I worked on this project for two years, during which I had the opportunity to learn to design a research project from scratch; attend conferences and give presentations; and write a manuscript for publication. I enjoyed this whole process so much that I decided to become a research scientist in the future. Also, I found it so cool how theory underlies (lurks behind!) each numerical simulation. I wanted to explore the theory side more, so I have subsequently conducted research in quantum gravity and theoretical high-energy particle physics. After graduating from Smith, I am attending the Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) Master’s Program at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. I have yet to find the specific research area of my interest; I hope to find it out during my graduate study. In my free time, I love playing Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 Movement I, walking in nature, and calling my family back home in South Korea. A fun fact about me? I have a twin sister who also does physics!