Alexandru Momoiu

BIG Scholar 2024 | IPhO Medalist

Engineering at Jesus College, University of Cambridge

IPhO Gold 2022, IPhO Gold 2023, IPhO Gold 2024

International Computer High School of Bucharest, 2024

Romania

To learn new things… to get a taste of everything at university

Playing guitar, listening to music, reading

Alexandru Momoiu

BIG Scholar 2024 | IPhO Medalist

Alexandru’s journey with competitive physics began in middle school and he qualified for his first international Olympiad in 10th grade, boosting his confidence. Outside academics, Alexandru enjoys reading science fiction, playing guitar, and listening to rock and indie music. He looks forward to exploring various fields within engineering at university, and further developing his independent research projects.

We caught up before he started university (interview edited for length and clarity):

GTF: What first interested you about physics?

AM: Physics as a concept has fascinated me since I was little. But I was not able to grasp its beauty until I was able to study in school. What makes me most passionate about physics is that it is the human’s way of understanding the universe and the world around us. It is our ability to understand our world, to figure out why something that happens, happens the way it does. We use laws or observations or mathematical equations to try to get a firm grasp on everything that happens around us.

GTF: And what made you want to compete in physics Olympiads?

AM: The most important aspect is that physics really inspires me, something that I like to do and something that I like to work on. I would say this is the most important thing for anyone that wants to do something, or to excel at something. But I also had the fortune to have good parents who encouraged me to work harder and dive deeper. And also very, very dedicated teachers who went above and beyond the high school curriculum and taught me this subject in more advanced ways.

GTF: Do you have any favorite memories from competing?

AM: Of course! In 10th grade, I qualified for the International Physics Olympiad. I remember I was called back on a stage along with other people who qualified and everybody was clapping. That was the first time in my life when I really appreciated the moment–they're clapping for something I did, something I was really proud of.

GTF: How are you feeling about attending university in the fall?

AM: I'm very, very excited to start this new chapter in my life, and just a little bit scared about what is coming next, and sad and nostalgic because I am leaving my friends behind, I guess. But I love to learn new things. I don't really have a specific interest right now. I would much rather get a taste of everything at university, approach everything with an open mind, and then see what I like and would like to study further.

GTF: What do you like to pursue in your free time?

AM: I like to listen to music and to read. This summer I have been picking up guitar, trying to learn it before I start university. I listen to rock and indie rock. I really love The Neighborhood, Nirvana, David Bowie, Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala.

In terms of books, I really love Dune. I started to read it before the first movie was announced and I was so excited to see that the book that I really love was getting a movie. The movie was a little bit different from the book but it was a very good adaptation with great visuals and great actors, overall a phenomenal movie. I also love The Foundation, especially the first two books. It is a very good franchise with a lot of interesting concepts.

GTF: Do you have a favorite topic in physics?

AM: Modern physics interests me the most, partly because it's the one that is least taught in high school because it's so complex. So it's kind of like an unknown to me, and that makes it interesting.