If there’s one sentence that sums up Toh Yu Xuan’s relationship with physics, it would be: “Born out of passion, shaped by perseverance.”
In April 2021, Toh Yu Xuan began his journey in Physics at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM). Back in secondary school, he believed that practice equals better grades. However, university study proved to be a different world – one that emphasized understanding over rote memorization.
“It’s more meaningful to understand the essence of a theory than to just apply it to solve problems,” he says.
For Toh Yu Xuan, physics may be challenging, but also captivating. Yet beyond interest, effort has always been essential to his academic journey.
“When physical classes resumed in 2022, I had a hard time readjusting. My grades dropped sharply, and I began to doubt if I was really cut out for physics. I even considered switching majors.” Now able to laugh about that low point, Toh Yu Xuan recalls, “Despite my disappointing midterm results, my lecturers never gave up on me. In particular, Dr. Lim Yen Kheng continuously encouraged and supported me. Thanks to him, I rediscovered my love for physics.”
Determined to give it one more try, Toh Yu Xuan pushed through, and slowly regained his confidence. His grades improved steadily. In his final year, under the supervision of Dr. Lim Yen Kheng, he conducted in-depth research on higher-dimensional gravity and completed a thesis on the application of magnetic field-induced spacetime torsion in higher-dimensional space. “Research isn’t just about solving problems,” he says. “More importantly, it’s about asking the right questions.”
In 2023, Toh Yu Xuan actively sought research internship opportunities abroad and eventually connected with Dr. Thomas Zlosnik at the University of Gdańsk in Poland. They shared similar research interests in relativity. After a series of email exchanges, Toh secured an internship and began working on a project titled Action Integral and Newton–Cartan Theory.
In Poland, Toh Yu Xuan immersed himself in academic research. He attended master’s thesis defenses and physics lectures, experienced his first snowfall and his first live football match, and built friendships with students from Portugal, Iran, Greece, Germany, and other countries. “At first, I thought culture and language might be invisible barriers,” he says with a smile. “But after spending countless days and nights together, I realized those barriers didn’t exist. We were chasing dreams together, goofing around together – it was probably the happiest semester of my university life.”
His time in Gdańsk left a lasting impact. The strong academic atmosphere inspired him deeply and helped him gain a clearer understanding of what it truly means to do research. That experience also solidified his goal: to one day return to Europe and reunite with his friends. “I want to carry the physics knowledge I’ve learned to every corner of the world and meet more amazing people.”
While language, culture, and nationality can sometimes be barriers between people, Toh Yu Xuan believes that art, knowledge, and love can always build bridges. During his time at XMUM, he made great efforts to pass on the spark of knowledge. Along with other seniors, he hosted weekly academic consultation sessions where upperclassmen helped foundation and undergraduate students with academic questions. These sessions not only benefited the juniors, but also helped the seniors reinforce their own learning.
Looking back on his four years at university, Toh Yu Xuan feels deeply satisfied. In January 2024, after completing his 15-week internship in Gdańsk, he made up his mind to pursue a master’s degree in Europe. He is currently working hard toward that goal and hopes to continue his research in the field of gravity, aiming to become a theoretical physicist.
When asked about his future, his answer is simple and sincere:
“Unless something unexpected happens, I think I’ll be immersed in the world of physics for the rest of my life.”
#Sources from: https://www.xmu.edu.my/2025/0613/c16257a492547/page.htm