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Oguzhan Can
Research topic
Topological superconductivity
Faculty
Research supervisor(s)
Home Town
Bursa
Country
Turkey
Selected Award(s)
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I love physics and mathematics. Solving problems and learning new things is always fun.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC is a great place to study because it has a strong condensed matter physics division with approachable faculty. With the support of the Quantum Matter Institute, I have been able to travel to many conferences and workshops abroad. But also Vancouver is a very nice place to live.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
My advisor is one of the leading scholars in our field. This means that I get to work on some of the newest ideas and take part in many collaborations. I am also part of the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, which supports its affiliated graduate students generously and has partnership programs with other leading physics institutions around the world.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I did not expect such a nice campus, it is beautiful. I was able to participate in many student clubs and activities, through which I made many music connections and I got interested in dancing, which was a surprise to me.
UBC is a great place to study because it has a strong condensed matter physics division with approachable faculty. [...] I am also part of the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, which supports its affiliated graduate students generously and has partnership programs with other leading physics institutions around the world.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I like the freedom my advisor gives me to pursue whatever idea that interests me.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
For my undergraduate degree, I studied physics and mathematics at the University of Toronto before coming to UBC. It was a challenging but very rewarding program.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I love playing music and spend most of my leisure time learning jazz guitar, but I also enjoy indoor climbing, biking, and chess.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Take the time to play, and do other things than research. Try to work on ideas that you find exciting and curious about. Graduate school is a great time to explore new topics. Don't lose your focus but keep an eye out for interesting problems and keep learning.
Learn more about Oguzhan's research
I study topological materials, which exhibit novel quantum phases of matter. I am currently working on projects involving heterostructures of two-dimensional materials leading to topological superconductors.