Gyopár Elekes is a first year student at the Doctoral School of Physics at the Babeș-Bolyai University. During her bachelor’s and master’s degrees she studied Engineering Physics and Computational Physics respectively, also at the Babes-Bolyai University. During the Ph.D. she is studying synchronization processes in complex systems, with the guidance of prof. Dr. Zoltán Néda.

The synchronization and collective behavior is a good example to prove that the simple models of Physics and Mathematics can help us to understand phenomenons belonging to different fields of science. The synchronization is present in many fields different from Physics (metronomes beating together), for example in Biology, social interactions (rhythmic applause) and technology.

1. What do you love to do the most?

I like to constantly expand my knowledge and to understand phenomenons which are surrounding us. I am interested in modeling these things with the help of theoretical (Physical and Mathematical) models and trying to find an interdisciplinary applicability of them. It is good to see if a theoretical hypothesis can be justified on real-systems measurements, or vice-versa.

2. How would you describe 2020 in a word or a short sentence?

Working from home.

3. Have you ever felt a gender difference in the attitude of the scientific community?

Fortunately I did not feel the gender difference during my student years, and neither when I was on internships abroad. Even so, it is absolutely observable that there are fewer women in my field of study, but I did not experience any drawback of this fact. On the contrary, I always felt that I am treated with the same respect as any male colleague of mine.

4. What was your favorite course in the bachelor’s and master’s studies and why?

I always liked the courses, when we needed to utilize our programming skills. During the bachelor my favourite course was the study of Microprocessors and electronic devices. During the Master studies we had a course about Stochastic Simulation Methods in Statistical Physics and their interdisciplinary applications. This course mainly contributed to my decision to continue my studies.

5. How do you manage the expenses with your doctoral scholarship?

I am doing my doctoral studies in a state-supported place and currently I am living in Cluj. I can say that the scholarship covers my monthly expenses. However, for both financial and self-developing reasons I am also working part-time at a company.