Maj Repek, student; Main field(s) of research/activity: Acoustics

• Where were you living in childhood and where do you live now?

I spent my childhood in Koper, and still live there.

• What have you studied and what were the motives for your decision?

I am studying applied physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana. My curiosity about fundamental physical concepts, which build up into more complex ones, inspired my decision. It stems from a somewhat “childlike” desire to discover new things and develop the necessary equipment for that purpose.

• How would you describe your work to someone outside your field?

If I may joke — I’d say I’m playing! But on a more serious note, I tackle various projects using the knowledge I constantly expand with each challenge. The goal is usually to measure something, which involves a whole process from designing the experiment and building new measuring devices (if needed), to critically evaluate the measurement results.

• What does your typical working day look like?

It’s hard to describe a typical day because something new is always happening. But generally, I spend most of my time in the acoustic lab until the afternoon, then I focus on my study obligations.

• What makes you excited about your work?

I’m excited by the fact that it’s never monotonous. There’s always a new challenge around the corner—whether it’s a new bug in the program or measurements that make no sense and require logical and meaningful interpretation.

• And what is the biggest challenge at your work?

I have to admit, one of the biggest challenges is double-checking my own work, which is extremely important.

• Which scientist or scientific achievement are you fascinated by and why?

I find it hard to answer because there are so many! It might be a cliché for a physicist, but Isaac Newton is among those I admire most. Everyone knows the story of the apple falling on his head, leading to the discovery of gravity. But not everyone knows that to mathematically describe the phenomenon, he had to invent a whole new operation — the derivative. That’s why I respect him.

• Tell us about the work of art (books, music, movies, theatre, dance, visual arts) that has a special place in your life.

What comes to mind is the film The Greatest Showman.

• What have you read, listened to, or watched lately?

Lately, in my free time, I’ve been rereading The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, alongside scientific literature for my studies.

• Which place on the Slovene coast do you like the most?

I have two favorite spots. One is right by the sea, in Simon’s Bay, especially late at night when no one is around, and all you can hear is the gentle lapping of the waves. The other is not directly on the coast but a bit inland. It’s the village of Osp, near the Karst Edge, where my grandparents live. Whenever I visit, time seems to stop — no traffic noise, few people around — simply put, peace.

• What makes you enthusiastic?

Primarily, the drive for progress. Whether small or large, I enjoy pushing through obstacles I encounter. Some are more demanding and require more time and energy, but what matters is that they’re eventually behind me.

• What does the charm of wood mean to you?

Perhaps it’s the feeling when, after manually sanding wood, I run my hand over the smooth surface. A soft dust collects, entirely different from raw wood. As a model maker, I’ve done this many times, and the feeling is still one of my favorites. That, to me, is the charm of wood.