Young talent: quantum scientist receives Young Scientist Prize
Only 35 years old and already a research group leader, on his way to tenure. And: numerous papers, grants and fellowships to his name. Leiden physicist Jordi Tura i Brugués receives today the Young Scientist Prize for his outstanding contributions to quantum research.
Who nominated him, he does not know. 'From Leiden to Barcelona, I've worked with so many people.' The reason for his nomination is more concrete: 'For his pioneering work in quantum non-locality,' according to the European Physical Society.
Tura leads the Applied Quantum Algorithms group (aQa) at the LION. The group investigates quantum algorithms: computational methods to optimize quantum computers’ processes. The researchers explore the applications of these algorithms for science and society. For example, machine learning, optimization and verification.
Unique look
This is not the first time Tura has received awards. Last year he received a Google Research Scholar Award, and an ERC Starting Grant worth 1.5 million euros. He remains modest about it. 'I could make a whole list of people who are smarter than me, but I am very passionate.'
Still, Tura has a unique point of view. Originally, he is not a physicist but a mathematician and telecommunications engineer. 'Quantum information theory was the perfect interface for me.' And that's what he has found at the LION. 'I am extremely happy here in Leiden, the aQa group is unique worldwide.' His future plans are therefore clear: 'I would like to continue doing research here for a long time to come.'
The award ceremony will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania. There, Tura will receive a medal and 1500 euros.
Text: Serafine Beugelink