Belgium's Little Einstein Defends a Quantum PhD at 15 and Redefines What a Child Prodigy Can Achieve
A fifteen-year-old dubbed 'Belgium's little Einstein' has completed his PhD in quantum physics in what could be record time. According to reporting from the Flemish television network VTM, Laurent Simons defended his thesis this week at the University of Antwerp. Laurent may very well be the youngest person in the world to have earned a doctorate in this particular field, although there's no real ranking system to consult. Starting primary school when he was just four years old, Laurent had already finished by age six. Come age 12, Laurent had a master's in quantum physics, exploring bosons and black holes. It is reported that Laurent has a photographic memory and an IQ of 145 – a status only about 0.1 percent of people achieve. At age 11, after losing his grandparents, Laurent said he set his mind to an even loftier goal than a PhD: Immortality. Or at least just to extend life. He says it's not for himself; it's for others. Laurent wants to study medical science in the future. Related: 2-Year-Old Prodigy Joins 'High IQ' Club Mensa as Youngest Member Ever Related: Scientists Confirm Anti-Aging Drug Appears to Prolong Life in Animals While it might seem incredible, others even younger than Simons have achieved doctor status. The Guinness World Records currently lists Karl Witte as the youngest person to be awarded a PhD. Witte was a German child prodigy who received his doctorate in 1814 at the age of 13. In the field of physics specifically, one of the youngest graduates in recent years is Carson Huey-You, who received his doctorate last year at the age of 21. Carson's mother said he was already reading chapter books by age two. By age five, it was precalculus. According to The Brussels Times, IT giants in the US and China have already approached Laurent's parents, inviting the child prodigy to study at their research centers. At the time of reporting, his parents had denied all offers. "There are two Laurents," his father told reporter Justin Stares in 2022, "the scientist and the boy."
From Four to Doctorate The Astonishing Rise of Laurent Simons
Laurent Simons began primary school at age four and had finished by six. By age twelve he held a master's degree in quantum physics, exploring bosons and black holes. He is described as having a photographic memory and an IQ of 145, a level reached by only about 0.1 percent of people. At age eleven, after losing his grandparents, Laurent said he set his mind to an even loftier goal than a PhD: immortality — or at least extending life. He says it's not for himself; it's for others. Laurent wants to study medical science in the future. In the broader physics community, prodigies have appeared before. The Guinness World Records currently lists Karl Witte as the youngest person to be awarded a PhD (13 in 1814). In physics, one of the youngest graduates in recent years is Carson Huey-You, who received his doctorate last year at the age of 21. Carson's mother said he was already reading chapter books by age two; by five, precalculus. The Brussels Times notes that IT giants in the US and China have approached Laurent's parents, inviting him to study at their research centers; at the time of reporting, his parents had denied all offers. There are two Laurents, his father told reporter Justin Stares in 2022, the scientist and the boy.
