© Tzivanopoulos/Universität Graz

My professorship is called:
Computational Theoretical Physics (Faculty IV)

This is what my research is about:
Understanding what the fundamental building blocks of the Universe are and how they interact with one another. We do this by creating a virtual representation of reality and using computer simulations to model the behavior of elementary particles. We then compare these simulations with the vast amount of data produced by experiments - that is, with measured reality - to uncover the underlying laws of nature. We also use simulations to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical structures underlying our primary theoretical framework, quantum field theory.

That’s what fascinates me most about my field of research: 
It is exciting to see and understand how complex phenomena emerge from just a few simple, fundamental building blocks and basic rules. Some of these phenomena can ultimately be described again in terms of simple physical laws. Computer simulations allow us to witness nature in action.

I came to the University of Siegen because…
after many years at institutions across Europe, I found the best opportunities and the most inspiring environment here to advance my research. Theoretical particle physics in Siegen is a leading center of excellence in Europe and now covers an even broader range of research areas.

My most interesting previous positions were: 
My time in the United Kingdom, in Durham and Manchester, where I developed the foundations of my current research programme. And my years in Graz, where I gained a completely new perspective on our research questions and methods.

In my courses, students learn, for example: 
How to describe complexity effectively using mathematics, how to formulate physical problems algorithmically, and how central quantum mechanics and stochastic processes are to our understanding of the natural world.

In my free time, I... 
enjoy travelling, making music, and I’m a passionate cook