MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As a doctoral student at West Virginia University, Peter Adeyemo is building a foundation in research, teaching, and advanced theoretical physics while pursuing a career in quantum computing.
Although administrative challenges delayed his arrival, Adeyemo began his studies at WVU in the Spring 2026 semester and quickly established himself in the classroom. During his first semester, he earned a 4.0 GPA while serving as a teaching assistant for an introductory astronomy course.
“I initially felt like teaching an introductory astronomy lab would be a bit challenging since it was my first time teaching, but the supportive environment and intuitive academic curriculum made it easy to guide the students taking the course,” said Adeyemo. “In collaboration with the primary course instructor, Professor Jason Ybarra, I was able to explain course concepts like Kepler’s law of planetary motion and, even more fascinating, pulsars, which are fast rotating neutron stars.”
Adeyemo credits his mentors, advisors and peers with helping him adapt to graduate school while balancing the demands of teaching, coursework, and research.
“My involvement in a theory-heavy research group was, at first, intimidating,” he said. “I have also been able to learn effective time management as a TA, student, and researcher.”
Today, his research focuses on topological condensed matter physics, an area with potential applications in quantum computing. He is particularly interested in theoretical approaches to designing topological qubits that could advance fault-tolerant quantum computation.
Since arriving at WVU, Adeyemo has studied topics including second quantization formalisms, Majorana algebra and analytical methods for modeling effective Hamiltonians in mesoscopic systems.
“Long term, I’d like to contribute to the growing field of topological quantum computing and quantum error correction as a research scientist in industry,” he said.
“I hope to make interesting contributions to the simulation and design of topological qubits for fault-tolerant quantum computation.”
The path that led Adeyemo to WVU began thousands of miles away in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
As a student, he enjoyed studying theology and philosophy in his spare time. However, it was his participation in the Nigerian Physics Olympiad that led to a deeper interest in physics and set him on a course toward scientific research.
Managed by the National Mathematical Centre in Abuja, the Nigerian Physics Olympiad serves as Nigeria’s precursor to the International Physics Olympiad. For Adeyemo, the competition became a formative experience.
“The program overall instilled a drive for physics in me,” Adeyemo said. “I was privileged to learn some interesting physics like the Doppler effect due to the contest. That experience influenced my decision to pursue physics at the university level.”
Adeyemo earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, graduating with first-class honors in January 2024. During his undergraduate studies, he developed an interest in solid-state physics and began exploring research opportunities in condensed matter physics.
Following graduation, he remained active in research while participating in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps program. Working alongside other Corps members, he helped distribute food, clothing, and basic medicine to underserved communities in South-Southern Nigeria.
He also maintained ties with his alma mater and continued pursuing research projects.
“Upon graduation, I did some review research on Half-Heusler alloys, which are narrow-band semiconductors,” Adeyemo explained. “These have potential applications for thermoelectricity."
As he explored graduate programs, Adeyemo sought opportunities to expand his interests in theoretical physics. That search eventually led him to WVU, where he joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy as a doctoral student in the research group of Professor Tudor Stanescu.
As he continues his doctoral studies, Adeyemo remains focused on developing the theoretical foundations needed to address some of the most challenging questions in quantum information science. For him, the opportunity to pursue advanced research represents the continuation of a journey that began years earlier in a classroom in Nigeria.
“To every student or dreamer facing rejection and painful delays right now — keep going. One closed door does not end your story,” Adeyemo said. “Don't give up on your dreams. The setbacks you're facing today may well be the foundation of the breakthrough you'll celebrate tomorrow."