Scholar in the Spotlight – Conor Murphy

Conor Murphy is a 2022 All Ireland Scholar, who has recently completed his BA in Theoretical Physics at Trinity College Dublin with First Class Honours. During his undergraduate degree, he worked as a teaching assistant, teaching mathematics to mathematics, physics and engineering students. Furthermore, he became a Laidlaw Scholar, which enabled him to complete applied nanoelectronics research at Trinity, and to work on a science communication project at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, where he created an educational video about wave physics and quantum mechanics.

Conor has also completed research in boundary effects in topological quantum field theory at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, a historic research institution which has been the workplace of many famous physicists throughout the years, including Erwin Schrodinger. This research resulted in his first academic publication, and has driven him to further his knowledge for a career in research and education. Currently, he has just started a new, exciting project at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in condensed matter theory, specifically on the topic of “quantum many-body scars”. Next year, he will go on to do his Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge as both a Martingale Scholar and a George Moore Scholar, where he hopes to specialise in quantum information theory and condensed matter theory. In the future, Conor hopes to work both in research and education, enabling him to work on physics that will have an impact on the world at large and to give back by teaching the next generation of mathematicians and physicists.

Throughout his undergraduate degree, the All Ireland Scholarship helped Conor to not only enjoy his time at university but also gave him the time and security to pursue his studies to the best of his ability.