Georgios Laskaris, M.A. 2011, Ph.D. 2015

Ab Initio Software Corporation

2015 Ph.D., Physics; 2011 M.A., Physics

How has being a Physics graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"During the course of my PhD at the Physics department of Duke, I acquired new skills and I further developed my already existing skills. Apart from the technical skills like developing code in various programming languages to analyze experimental data or designing experiments which are transferable skills to the industry, the PhD developed further my personality as a hard working, focused individual. It gave me confidence and belief that no matter what is the problem, there is always a solution."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Physics programs? 

"As a student, it took me sometime to realize that physics research is quite different than being a good student with high grades. It is definitely true that having good grades is necessary but physics is taking place in the lab and not in the books. The sooner a graduate student leaves behind the attitude of the good student and moves towards the attitude of an independent researcher, the better it is for his/her career and overall development."

Georgios Laskaris