Albert-Octavian Lupu

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Albert-Octavian Lupu is from Bucharest, Romania. He graduated from the International Computer High School of Bucharest, where he specialized in physics.

During high school, Albert participated extensively in physics and astrophysics Olympiads, earning awards at both the national and international levels. His results include participation in the Asian Physics Olympiad, a silver medal at the International Zhautykov Olympiad, a silver medal at the Romanian Master of Physics, two silver medals at Fyziklani, and a bronze medal at the USA Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Nationally, he earned one gold and six silver medals at the Romanian National Physics Olympiad, as well as three silver medals and one bronze at the National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. He was also selected three times for the Romanian national physics team selection process and twice for the national astronomy and astrophysics team selection process.

Apart from Olympiads, Albert worked on two research projects during high school, which he was able to pursue after an extensive search for the materials, equipment, and institutes that could help him turn his idea into projects. For this, he is especially grateful to Pericle Vărășteanu and Viorel Avramescu from the National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies in Bucharest, who agreed to provide him with the materials, laboratory access, and guidance he needed.

His first project focused on developing transfer functions between potato and human tissue for electromagnetic pulses used in irreversible electroporation-based cancer treatment. With this research, he won first place at the Romanian National Science Fair, fourth place at the Taiwan International Science Fair, and participated in the International Science and Engineering Fair.

For his second project, Albert designed solar cells incorporating a nanoporous gold layer to enhance light absorption, achieving a 500% increase in infrared light absorption. He also calculated the electrical pulse parameters needed for the optimal poration of the nanoporous gold layer. This project earned him another first-place award at the Romanian National Science Fair.

Albert was also the mission design leader of a satellite-building project, where he and his team built a mini-satellite designed to calculate tornado formation probability, measure variations in electromagnetic fields from the Sun, and monitor air quality.

He also founded a tutoring platform where Olympiad students teach other students Olympiad-level physics, astronomy, and computer science.

Outside academics, Albert has played soccer for more than 13 years. He also enjoys combat sports, chess, and eating.

At Columbia, Albert currently intends to major in Electrical Engineering, although that is not set in stone. He also hopes to learn more about AI and develop a wide range of skills that will eventually help him build his own startup.