SC Connecticut News

Barkotel Zemenu, a senior at Yale University, has taken a unique path during his time at the prestigious institution, delving into the realms of physics, foreign languages, and personal connections.

Zemenu's journey at Yale has been one of unexpected twists and turns, as he reflected, "So many of these things were unexpected, but I’m grateful for all the pivots." Despite facing challenges such as remote learning due to the pandemic, he maintained a positive outlook, stating, “It was just business as usual."

Delving into the field of physics, Zemenu made significant contributions to research on dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay, earning praise from David Moore, an associate professor of physics at Yale, who expressed excitement about Zemenu's future accomplishments.

Expressing his passion for unraveling the mysteries of the universe, Zemenu shared, “I remain extremely interested in this idea of dark matter and dark energy...That’s a question I’d like to see answered in our lifetime.”

Beyond his academic pursuits, Zemenu also found a deep appreciation for languages, recognizing the value of connecting with others through their native tongue. He emphasized, “Speaking to someone in their own language opens a different door to aspects of themselves that you won’t learn about otherwise...It’s about relationships."

As Zemenu prepares to graduate from Yale and embark on his next chapter at Stanford for graduate school, he remains open to new possibilities while staying committed to his quest for knowledge and meaningful interactions.

Zemenu's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring scholars, highlighting the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities and the profound connections that can be forged through intellectual curiosity and linguistic understanding.