Specialized in particle physics, neutrino physics, quantum mechanics, and advanced data analysis
After high school, I set my sights on studying physics at ETH Zurich, a place where fundamental science and world-leading experimentation meet at the highest level. I began my Bachelor of Science in Physics determined to build a strong foundation in both the theoretical and experimental aspects of the field. During those years I explored the full spectrum of physics, from mechanics and optics to electronics and quantum systems. Some of my most memorable moments included hands-on work in advanced laboratories such as magneto-optical trapping of atoms, neutron reflectometry at PSI, and precise measurements of the quantum Hall effect. I learned to translate theory directly into experiments, evaluate data with rigorous analysis and error propagation, and develop computational models that deepen physical understanding. My bachelor research project explored electromagnetic cloaking theory and the behaviour of waves when interacting with specially engineered materials, blending analytical reasoning with numerical simulation. It gave me my first real sense of what it means to investigate a question that does not yet have a clean answer in a textbook.
I graduated in 2022 and continued straight into the Master of Science in Physics at ETH Zurich while beginning my research work at CERN in Geneva. There I fully entered the world of experimental high-energy physics through detector development for neutrino research. My master's thesis focused on segmented plastic scintillator technologies for the 3DET Collaboration at CERN. The work combined materials science, particle detection, signal analysis, mechanical design and constant iteration in the laboratory. I characterized newly developed 3D-printed scintillator prototypes, worked on their optical performance and energy response, and helped build and test larger detector assemblies for future neutrino measurements. Working inside the international research environment at CERN was both demanding and deeply inspiring. It brought me into close collaboration with scientists and engineers tackling real challenges in detector design, data interpretation, and experiment preparation. Results from this research effort contributed to peer-reviewed scientific publications, which was a rewarding milestone as I completed my thesis in September 2023.
I formally closed my enrolment in April 2024, marking the end of a journey that transformed how I think about science and the world. My time at ETH and CERN gave me more than advanced knowledge in particle physics, electroweak interactions or detector systems. It taught me how to approach complex problems from first principles, how to experiment purposefully, how to collaborate across disciplines and how to push through the uncertainties that define real research. It was a demanding education, but one I would choose again every single time.