November 15, 2019

Assistant Professor of Physics Jörn Venderbos, PhD, heads the Quantum Condensed Matter theory group and holds a joint appointment in the College of Engineering’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research is aimed at understanding the fundamental properties of novel quantum materials, designing new materials for applications in quantum information science, and developing tools to describe the collective behavior of correlated electron systems.

Degree: PhD in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Leiden University (Netherlands)
Research interests: Quantum materials
Hometown: Stokkum, Netherlands

What did you do before coming to Drexel?

Before I came to Drexel, I was a postdoc at Penn, just across the street.

What is your favorite food or restaurant?

I guess that would have to be French cuisine. In that respect, I can recommend Bistro La Minette in Philadelphia, which also offers a good wine list.

What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?

The more agreeable climate as compared to Boston (where I used to live) is certainly noteworthy. I should also mention the historical flair of Center City and Philadelphia in general.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The power of creating separate bike lanes on every street.

Which current event/issue do you think students should know more about, and why?

This is perhaps not a particular issue or event, but it will likely benefit students — as well as society — if they become more aware of the law of unintended consequences.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What made you want to become a professor?

I think the first professional ambition I ever expressed was becoming a dentist. This must have been at the age of 7 or 8. I don’t really remember why. The desire and ambition to pursue a career in research and become a professor developed much later, during my PhD, when I discovered “the pleasure of finding things out” (Richard Feynman).