Benjamin Lou

Benjamin Lou is a physicist, mathematician and philosopher completing undergraduate studies at MIT.

Lou is passionate about finding connections between fundamental truths of the universe. One of his research projects applies symplectic techniques to understand the nature of precision measurements using quantum states of light. Another is about geometrically unifying several theorems in quantum mechanics using the Prüfer transformation. For his work, Lou was honored with the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Lou will pursue his doctorate at MIT, where he plans to work on unifying quantum mechanics and gravity, with an eye toward uncovering experimentally testable predictions.

Living with the debilitating disease spinal muscular atrophy, which causes severe, full-body weakness and makes scratchwork unfeasible, Lou has developed a unique learning style emphasizing mental visualization. He also co-founded and helps lead the MIT Assistive Technology Club, dedicated to empowering those with disabilities using creative technologies. He is working on a robotic self-feeding device for those who cannot eat independently.

In his spare time, Lou enjoys watching thought-provoking movies, playing board games, listening to and singing classical and (preferably upbeat) pop music, and debating philosophical dilemmas with friends. He was born and raised in San Diego.