Feature Stories 2025: Matthew Stearns '25: Taking the fear out of quantum physics

"People hear 'quantum' and they think it's something scary and complicated, but it isn’t."  

Matthew Stearns '25 wants to change the way people think about quantum science. A first-generation college student double-majoring in physics and mathematics, he believes the field isn’t as intimidating as it sounds if students have the right teachers. 

When Stearns transferred to UMassD, he was looking for the opportunity to study physics. What he found was a community that encouraged his academic and personal growth, and supportive faculty mentors who introduced him to research in quantum information science and quantum foundations.  

As a STEM transfer student peer mentor, PAL program leader, and president of the Society of Physics Students, he's discovered a knack for helping fellow students recognize their own potential and tackle "scary" subjects with confidence.  

Why did you choose UMassD? 

"I always wanted to study physics, and UMassD offered programs and opportunities that my previous college didn't, so I decided to transfer. The day I enrolled, I received a personal email from the physics department chair welcoming me to the department. There's a personal touch here you don't get at a lot of other places."  

How has your experience compared with your expectations? 

"I've been surprised by how welcoming and supportive the community is here.  I was also surprised to have access to upper-level faculty as an undergraduate. Professors have an open-door policy and they're very easy to talk to. It's not like that everywhere; at some universities, professors doing research only work with graduate students, but I've had great opportunities to do research and be mentored as an undergrad." 

What do you like about your majors? 

"Physics has been my main interest since middle school when I first learned what an atom was. I love the sheer open-endedness of physics questions. Unlike many other fields of engineering, physics deals with a lot of abstract ideas, and that's what I love about it."  

What is quantum physics?? 

"Quantum explores how the fundamental reality of nature works on the scale of tiny particles like atoms, and even smaller particles. Unlike classical physics, which follows certain predictable rules, quantum physics shows that particles can exist in multiple states at once. 

"Quantum computing applies the principles of quantum physics to process information in new ways. This allows us to solve complex problems much faster than regular computers. From developing cures for diseases to creating climate models, all kinds of fields can benefit from the ability to process information exponentially faster." 

Tell us about the research opportunities you've had at UMassD 

"Upon completing a graduate quantum computing course in my second year, I reached out to Dr. David Kagan to continue exploring these concepts. That summer I won an Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) summer grant to work on a quantum computing project with Dr. Kagan, investigating recently developed measures of quantum information based on conditional probability distributions that describes information flow in open quantum systems. Dr. Kagan has been a monumental influence as a mentor in both my personal development and academic growth. 

"I also won a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the Institute for Nuclear Theory at the University of Washington. I was there for 10 weeks, fully funded.  

"NSF-REUs are highly competitive, but UMass Dartmouth students get them consistently. Our professors urge us to apply for things like this early on. 

"While at my REU, I began working on my undergraduate thesis, Continuum Limits of Discrete Quantum Systems and their Algebras of Observables—work that aims to develop a novel pedagogical approach for introducing concepts from rigorous quantum field theory and abstract mathematical structures through concrete examples that naturally emerge from the traditional undergraduate physics curriculum." 

What are you most proud of?   

"Serving as a supplementary instructor in the Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) program for math courses has been the most emotionally impactful experience for me. I never saw myself as a teacher, but being a PAL leader opened me to new perspectives. Some of the students I helped tutor as first-year students are now involved in gravitational wave research. It's very rewarding."  

"I'm also proud to be a STEM transfer student peer mentor. When I started as a transfer student during the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt a little isolated at first, so I understand how that feels. It's nice to be a connector for students who are new on campus and to help them feel welcome."

"At some universities, professors doing research only work with graduate students, but I've had great opportunities to do research and be mentored as an undergrad."

What advice do you have for future UMassD students?  

"Get interested, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, take advantage of the opportunities to get paid for the work you do. I've had research and scholarship funding almost every semester. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers grants to fund your research and travel expenses, and the ACCOMPLISH Scholarship program is a huge financial relief."  

What are your plans after graduation?   

"I want to get a PhD in rigorous quantum field theory and become a teacher who helps make these ‘advanced’ concepts more accessible. I want to work with first-year students especially. I think first-year students sometimes get intimidated by math, and I’d like to be someone who shows them it can be fun."