Physics and philosophy double major Michael Abramczyk wants to understand why the universe works the way it does.
“In physics, I mainly study particles and the fundamental laws that keep the world in check,” says Abramczyk, who graduates this month. “Philosophy lets me explore how we know that the things we say [in regards to science] are true.”
A University Scholar and recipient of both the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship and the Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship, Abramczyk pursue a Ph.D. in physics at Columbia University beginning next fall.
“Michael is doggedly persistent in asking questions about how the universe works,” says Jill Deans, director of the Office of National Scholarships at UConn, who handled Abramczyk’s scholarship application.
The Goldwater awards were established by Congress in 1986 in honor of former Senator Barry Goldwater to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. The Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship was designed to support outstanding students in basic research areas in physics and other sciences. Through this fellowship, the Office of Science hopes to encourage the development of the next generation of scientific and technical talent in the U.S. Only 80 such scholarships are awarded each year, to students across the United States.
Even as a high school student, Abramczyk exhibited a will to learn and push his limits, says Thomas Blum, an associate professor of physics who was Abramczyk’s advisor. Blum and Abramczyk have co-authored a paper on a phenomenon called the “chiral magnetic effect,” which was presented in Beijing last summer.
“Michael first contacted me about collaborating with me on my research before he even arrived as a freshman,” says Blum. “I knew then that he was unique. A freshman already versed in particle physics, evidently self-taught, and with excitement! You just can’t teach that.”
Outside of academics, Abramczyk has been involved in the UConn Physics Club and is currently acting as the club’s vice president. In the past, he worked as an Residence Hall Association representative for the Shippee residence hall when the building housed freshman students participating in the Honors Program.
