Meet Our Graduate Students
Meet Matthew Schmitt
I am a 4th year physics grad student working with Vincenzo Vitelli on problems in biophysics, often using machine learning. Prior to this, I worked with Chase Broedersz at the LMU University of Munich.
Who inspires you?
As corny as this may sound, the members of the Vitelli group and members of JFI more broadly inspire me every day. Everyone I interact with is extremely bright and motivated; it is very fun to do science in such an environment!
What are you fans of?
I am a huge fan of classical music, particularly for the piano.
What are the best things about your PhD program?
The ability to collaborate with some of the best scientists in the world. Beyond the direct contact with professors and advisors here, there are constantly invited speakers coming to visit from all around the globe. UChicago has a strong presence in physics both historically and in the present day, here you can see how physics is done at the highest level.
What was the best surprise about UChicago or life in Chicago?
Chicago is a huge American city and very different from the places I had lived before. I was not a big fan when I first moved! However, over time I’ve come to love it: it is in constant motion with all sorts of things to do such as theater, music, food, sports, etc. The diversity of neighborhoods is very unique to Chicago, and you could spend years exploring them all. Also, as a friend recently expressed, they were surprised to find that Chicago in summer is a beach town! I think overall, Chicago is very representative of a particular slice of American culture. Another small upside to being in Chicago which I didn’t consider initially is the proximity to an international airport!