PhD Testimonials, by Javier Rey Dominguez

When I embarked on my PhD, I had some idea of what I expected and what I wanted. Now, with only a few months left before completing my degree, here are some thoughts on my experience over the past three years.

Personal growth

One of the most rewarding aspects of my PhD has been the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. Through countless conversations with folks from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, both inside and outside the university, I gained a broader understanding of their cultural values and priorities. In turn, this not only expanded my world view but also encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my own culture and assumptions.

Moving to a new city and building a life independently was another important part of this journey. Arriving in a completely new place without the comfort of having my family and close friends nearby pushed me to grow in many ways. After constantly engaging with new, different people, I became a better listener, more empathetic and, dare I say, more extroverted.

While the academic outputs are often the most notable point when speaking of a PhD, these personal lessons are certainly just as, if not more, important to me. They shape the man I am today, and will stay with me shaping the man that I will be in the future.

Professional development

From an academic perspective, one of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning from my background as an RF engineer into the field of theoretical quantum communications. Although my previous training provided a solid technical foundation, there were many areas in which my knowledge was relatively limited when I started. This meant that, from the very beginning, I had to learn quickly and adapt to concepts that were often completely new to me.

While this transition was demanding, it also became one of the most exciting parts of the experience. The process of continuously acquiring new knowledge reminded me why I chose to pursue research in the first place. Every new concept understood opened the door to further questions and possibilities. Rather than satisfying my curiosity, the PhD somehow made it grow even stronger. The more I learned, the more eager I became to continue exploring and discovering.

Beyond the technical aspects of research, my PhD also provided invaluable opportunities to improve my communication skills. Through courses, presentations, and the generous advice of supervisors and colleagues, I developed a much stronger understanding of scientific writing. Looking back at reports and documents I wrote several years ago, I can clearly see how much progress I have made. There is still room for improvement, of course, but I am proud of how far I have come.

My oral communication skills also benefited greatly from outreach activities. In particular, participating in the annual BeCurious event at the University of Leeds over the past three years gave me the opportunity to engage with members of the public of all ages and backgrounds. Explaining quantum science to specialists is one challenge; explaining it to children or people with no scientific training is another entirely. These experiences taught me how to communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging way, and they reminded me of the importance of making science accessible.

Identity and purpose

When I started my PhD, my primary motivation was simple: I wanted to work on interesting problems, learn new things, and satisfy my curiosity about the world. While that passion for discovery remains as strong as ever, my perspective has gradually evolved over the last three years.

Through interactions with the community in Leeds, in general, and conversations with several inspiring individuals at the university, in particular, I began to think more carefully about the broader purpose of research. I came to appreciate the direct and indirect impact of research on the people around me. As a result, I now find myself asking not only whether a problem is interesting, but also how solving it might benefit society.

This shift in perspective has not diminished my fascination with elegant theories or technically challenging problems. However, I now prefer to frame my work within a broader context and consider the impact it may have beyond academia. In many ways, this change has given my research a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.

Looking back

Looking back on these three years, I can certainly identify moments where a more experienced version of myself would have made different choices, both professionally and personally. Even so, I feel genuinely grateful for the path I have followed and the person I have become along the way. There is still much for me to learn, discover and build, and I look forward to continuing to carve that path with the same curiosity and enthusiasm that brought me here in the first place.

By Javier Rey Dominguez.