Meet Tianji (Jimmy) Zhou – Top 10 Student in the Perimeter Institute START Satellite Program at Bishop’s University

Tianji Zhou (who also goes by Jimmy) is attending the prestigious Perimeter Institute START Satellite (PSI) Program, a highly selective initiative known for its focus on theoretical physics. This year, Bishop’s University proudly serves as the only Canadian institution to host the program, making Tianji’s participation particularly significant since only 10 students were chosen.

Tianji expressed great excitement upon being accepted into the PSI START Satellite Program. Given Perimeter Institute’s global reputation in theoretical physics and his own aspirations to become a theorist, the opportunity holds deep personal and academic significance. His interest in physics and astronomy began in primary school, inspired by documentaries that explored the mysteries of the universe. That early fascination evolved into a commitment to understanding the cosmos. He is particularly drawn to physics for its ability to explain everything from the smallest atoms to the vastness of space, and he sees it as a field filled with endless possibilities for discovery. During the two-week program, he looks forward to exploring new areas in theoretical physics—especially those he hasn’t yet studied—so he can broaden his perspective and deepen his understanding.

Originally from Shanghai, Tianji is currently an undergraduate student at Haverford College near Philadelphia, where he is pursuing a degree in Physics and Astronomy with a concentration in Scientific Computing. He has completed advanced coursework across multiple institutions, including Swarthmore College, Bryn Mawr College, and the University of Pennsylvania. His academic path includes studies in general relativity, cosmological physics, astroparticle physics, and differential geometry.

Tianji’s research interests center on theoretical and phenomenological cosmology and gravitational physics. He enjoys combining computational and analytical tools to tackle complex scientific problems. He currently conducts research under Professor Daniel Grin at Haverford College, where he is working on model-independent approaches to studying the dark sector of the universe. His project involves applying generalized dark matter (GDM) methods and principal component analysis to constrain dark matter models. He has also been involved in research at the University of California, San Diego, under the supervision of Dr. Lee Lindblom. There, his work has included building spectral representations of neutron-star equations of state using Chebyshev polynomial expansions and assessing uncertainty in relativistic stellar modeling.

He is actively seeking further research opportunities in cosmology and gravitation and remains deeply committed to advancing our understanding of the universe through theory, computation, and exploration.

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Joannie St-Germain M.Sc. (she/her/elle)
RESEARCH OFFICER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES
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