The Charger Blog

Physics Professor, StudentӰԭs Research Featured in Documentary

Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 and Nikodem Poplawski Ph.D., have been conducting groundbreaking research exploring topics such as quantum field theory and quantum mechanics. They have completed two research papers they are submitting for publication, and they are featured in a new documentary airing this month in Europe.

March 27, 2022

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 (left) and Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., conduct a demonstration as part of a new documentary. (credit: ARTE TV)
Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 (left) and Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., conduct a demonstration as part of a new documentary. (credit: ARTE TV)

For Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23, his experience conducting research with his mentor Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., has been fascinating and rewarding. They are now submitting two research papers to academic journals and their work is featured as part of a new documentary.

During the summer of his sophomore year, Del Grosso interned with Dr. Poplawski, doing what he describes as Ӱԭgraduate-level physics research.Ӱԭ He says that, while challenging, it enabled him to explore research methodologies and mathematical problem-solving approaches.

ӰԭI am incredibly grateful that Dr. Poplawski offered me this opportunity,Ӱԭ said Del Grosso, a chemical engineering major with a minor in physics. ӰԭThe internship allowed me to experience work outside of the classroom, and it truly challenged my academic abilities. My internship allowed me to learn his way of thinking while simultaneously learning the steps myself.Ӱԭ

Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 (left) and Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., were filmed at the University. (credit: ARTE TV)
Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 (left) and Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., were filmed at the University. (credit: ARTE TV)
ӰԭThis research gave him an opportunity to exploreӰԭ
Image of Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23.
Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23.

Dr. Poplawski, a physics professor at the University who has been called a potential Ӱԭfuture Einstein,Ӱԭ and Del Grosso have explored quantum field theory and collaborated on research titled

Their work shows that the Born rule, one of three fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics, may be an approximation of averaging quantum wave function over space and time. They will be submitting their research, as well as their paper titled to academic journals.

ӰԭMichael was very excited about advanced physics and interested in exploring the foundational questions in physics,Ӱԭ said Dr. Poplawski. ӰԭThis research gave him an opportunity to explore some advanced physics, do some calculations, learn some numerical methods in to solve some equations that cannot be solved analytically, and learn how to write a scientific article using a LaTeX document preparation system that is widely used by physicists.Ӱԭ

ӰԭAn excellent opportunityӰԭ
Image of Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., and Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23.
Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., and Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23.

Their that aired earlier this month in Germany and France on . Dr. Poplawski and Del Grosso were filmed at the University during the Fall 2021 semester. Del Grosso assisted Dr. Poplawski with demonstrations on camera, something he said he enjoyed and would gladly do again.

ӰԭI believe he is a great mentor and teacher,Ӱԭ said Del Grosso, who has been serving as a teaching assistant under Dr. Poplawski for the past year. ӰԭHe is also one of the most brilliant-minded people on campus. A remarkable fact about Dr. Poplawski is he is a descendent of Albert Einstein in terms of mentorship: Albert Einstein → Leopold Infeld → Stanisław Bażański → Nikodem Poplawski → Michael Del Grosso.Ӱԭ

Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., and Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 in New Jersey as part of their summer research.
Nikodem Poplawski, Ph.D., and Michael Del Grosso Ӱԭ23 in New Jersey as part of their summer research.

Del Grosso, who was nominated for the UniversityӰԭs prestigious Bucknall Family Undergraduate Research or Experiential Learning Award last year, is grateful for the research opportunities he has had with his mentor. He has explored advanced mathematics and physics, including quantum physics, EinsteinӰԭs Theory of Relativity, and analytical mechanics, and he looks forward to the opportunities his research experience has already created.

ӰԭMy work with Dr. Poplawski has been an excellent opportunity because it is a fantastic resume booster that will set me apart from other individuals,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭAs a result, I get a lot of attention from company recruiters looking for talented young students.Ӱԭ