From curiosity to quantum materials

Will McCurley has always been drawn to big ideas. 

When the Mobile native arrived at Auburn University, he was looking for a field that would let him explore big questions while keeping his options open. 

“I was first looking into philosophy,” McCurley said. “But I’ve always been good at math, and it opens the door to a lot of different fields and possibilities.” 

On campus, that curiosity evolved into a demanding academic path. Now a mathematics and physics major, McCurley works at the intersection of the two fields and computing. 

As graduation approaches, that work has earned McCurley two of Auburn’s most distinguished undergraduate honors. He has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Dean Schneller Award, the highest undergraduate recognition in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, and received the Comer Medal for Excellence in Physical Sciences, the university’s longest continuously awarded student honor. His nomination was supported by faculty in both the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Physics. 

“I’ve tried my best to be an active part in both departments,” McCurley said. “It’s been a lot of work, and I’m glad people have appreciated what I’ve put in.” 

The Schneller Award honors the legacy of former COSAM dean Stewart W. Schneller, who led the college for more than 16 years and was widely respected as a mentor, scholar and champion for students and faculty. 

“COSAM would not be COSAM without him,” McCurley said. “If people see that I am contributing in some way to continuing his work, then I’m grateful and very honored.” 

Much of McCurley’s impact has come through undergraduate research focused on condensed matter physics, a field that studies how the structure of materials shapes their physical properties. His work is computational, meaning the laboratory often consists of code and large datasets rather than physical equipment. 

At its core, the work centers on one of the fundamental challenges of quantum physics. 

“All of quantum physics is about solving for wave functions,” McCurley said. “It comes down to finding where particles are in a system and their properties.” 

Working with faculty advisor Yinong Zhou, assistant professor in the Department of Physics, McCurley was given the unusual opportunity to take ownership of an independent research project early in his undergraduate career. 

Faculty mentors say McCurley’s intellectual ability and persistence quickly distinguished him as an undergraduate researcher. 

“Will is an exceptionally talented student,” Zhou said. “His strong mathematical background, exceptional capacity for self-learning, excellent perseverance and motivation and outstanding intellectual and analytical abilities position him for a successful future research career.” 

McCurley’s work has also impressed faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Professor Michel Smith, who taught McCurley in several advanced mathematics courses, recalled his initiative in the classroom. 

In a graduate-level topology course, Smith said McCurley volunteered to present particularly challenging problems and delivered a proof that extended beyond the standard scope of the class. 

“It was an excellent presentation,” Smith said. 

Outside the classroom, McCurley has been active across the Auburn community. He served as treasurer of the Society of Physics Students, worked as a tutor in the mathematics tutoring center and competed nationally with Auburn’s Quiz Bowl team. 

Through those experiences, McCurley says the most important lesson he learned at Auburn is the value of collaboration and communication. 

“Working with other people and learning to articulate your ideas is the biggest way you can grow,” he said. “Being able to interact with other people and collaborate helps you understand your work better and leave an impact on other people.” 

This fall, McCurley will remain at Auburn to begin a doctorate in physics, continuing the research path he discovered as an undergraduate. 

“I fell in love with the research process while I’ve been here,” he said. 

For McCurley, the motivation goes beyond individual discovery. 

“A culture of apathy about science has consequences,” McCurley said. “Having a strong scientific community that can provide a basis of truth is important.”