Rigers Aliaj

18 September 2024

Photo: Rigers Aliaj

Originally from Vlorë, Albania, and raised in Athens, Greece, Rigers Aliaj completed his bachelor’s degree in physics in Athens and earned a Master’s in Theoretical Physics from Utrecht University under the Bright Minds Fellowship, studying asymptotic Hodge theory and particle physics. After a year at NKUA researching sigma models, he is now a PhD student at the DESY theory group, focusing on scattering amplitudes under the supervision of Dr. Georgios Papathanasiou.

What is the topic of your research?

Currently, I am a PhD student at the DESY theory group under the supervision of Dr. Georgios Papathanasiou studying the mathematical structure of scattering amplitudes. Moreover, I am affiliated to the group of Prof. Dr. Arutyunov.

What fascinates you about your research focus?

Employing mathematics to study the real world is mostly what drives my interest. I have always been keen on the intersection between physics and mathematics, but this particular project can potentially answer questions that are directly useful for experiments. That’s amazing! Moreover, due to the combinatorial and algebraic nature of the mathematics involved, I have the chance to also develop strong computational skills alongside the theoretical ones.

What do you like about the cluster Quantum Universe?

The Quantum Universe events are a great opportunity for me to broaden my understanding of the current trends and ideas in the various areas of physics. Moreover, it gives a sense of community with all the researchers involved, increasing the motivation for their individual work. In the future, I want to also benefit more from socializing and networking opportunities offered by the cluster.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am passionate about football, therefore I spend many hours during the week watching and playing football in a team in my neighbourhood. Moreover, in the past few years I have been training my boxing skills twice a week at a local gym. Recently, I have also developed a great interest in learning the basics of economics and finance through a historical perspective.