SC Connecticut News

Logan Wright, an Assistant professor of applied physics at Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, recently discussed his research and personal interests in a Q&A session. Wright shared insights into his research focus on physical computation, control, and complexity, particularly with photons, stating, "With the former category, I am mostly focused on photon physics... With the latter, I am mainly focused on machine learning and artificial intelligence, especially neural networks."

Reflecting on his childhood influences, Wright mentioned, "I read an enormous amount of science fiction as a kid," highlighting how this genre sparked his curiosity and led him to pursue a career in a similar field. When asked about his decision to join Yale, Wright expressed admiration for the university's expertise in fields such as lasers, nonlinear optics, and cognitive science. He also praised the vibrant energy of the Yale community, emphasizing his excitement to collaborate with talented students and colleagues.

Aside from his academic pursuits, Wright shared his passion for music, particularly playing the electric guitar. Drawing parallels between music and science, he explained, "Both are creative disciplines...very much about exploring new ideas." Additionally, Wright acknowledged the appeal of New Haven as a great walking city, noting the convenience and diversity of the area, stating, "Any business I need to do, I can walk from here, to campus, to there… That’s been an upgrade in my lifestyle."

In a light-hearted moment, Wright was asked about the best New Haven pizza, to which he humorously replied, "I like that there is a diverse ecosystem, there is creativity and passion and depth. But I don’t know which pizza is the best. I’m open to collecting data though — especially if we can talk about research while doing it."

Wright's blend of scientific expertise, musical interests, and appreciation for his new surroundings in New Haven offers a glimpse into the multifaceted personality of this accomplished faculty member at Yale University.