Alfredo Poves: From Jules Verne to TRIUMF

With a hot tea cradled between his hands, theoretical physicist Alfredo Poves shared why his passion for physics has brought him to TRIUMF and how his sabbatical here will create opportunities for collaboration with his home institution in Spain. Poves, a professor and researcher of  theoretical nuclear physics at the University of Madrid, arrived at TRIUMF in mid-July to work alongside the Theory Department.

Alfredo’s focus is on theoretical work in nuclear structure but he is also curious about the work at TRIUMF and SNOLAB that studies the very exotic neutrinoless double beta decay. “By studying this decay, you can learn about nuclear physics and particle physics, and the most fundamental laws of nature,” said Alfredo.

Before arriving to TRIUMF, Alfredo spent a portion of his sabbatical in Geneva at CERN, working with nuclear physics at the ISOLDE facility. But he chose to stay at TRIUMF for his sabbatical in order to establish new connections and strengthen the existing collaboration between his group at the University in Madrid and TRIUMF. Poves added, “Not only in the Theory Department, but also in collaboration with experimenters.”

 “I read everything when I was 10 or 12. All this fascination for science came through some indirect means like reading Jules Verne…” Poves’ initial captivation with science came from reading novels like Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea about fantastical adventures and discoveries. During his childhood in Spain, Poves found that he was good at mathematics and found himself curious about theoretical physics. He wanted to know the how and why of things and to be able to explain why the planet was round and why things fall to the earth. “The capacity of explaining how the world works, in a rigorous mathematical way, is something that appealed to me.”

Alfredo’s wife, Maria Jesus, accompanied him to Vancouver. She is a mathematician, who teaches Math in secondary schools in Madrid and is taking the opportunity to study English at UBC during their time in Canada. They have three grown children and hope for them to visit Vancouver during their time here. Poves enjoys spending time with friends, reading, cooking, “mild” hiking, sailing and listening to classical music.

Before the end of October, be sure to swing by and meet Alfredo Poves. He can be found in the Theory wing of the Main Office Building and would be happy to have a tea with you.

By Kyla Shauer, Communications Assistant