At 15, most teenagers are preparing for higher secondary examinations or thinking about university. Laurent Simons was already defending a doctoral thesis in theoretical quantum physics. The Belgian researcher completed his first PhD at the University of Antwerp in November 2025, aged 15. Simons’ academic journey had begun years earlier. Long before his PhD, he had become internationally known as a child who moved through formal education at an unusually fast pace. Now, his research interests have moved beyond quantum physics. He is pursuing another doctorate connected to medical science and artificial intelligence, with an interest in understanding ageing and extending human life.
His academic journey began unusually early
He started primary school at the age of two.
Simons (now 16) was born in Belgium and attracted attention as a young child because of his ability to absorb academic material quickly. According to Dutch news broadcaster NOS, he started primary school at the age of two. In 2018, Simons began studying electrical engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. At nine, he was already working on university-level material. As reported by Reuters in November 2019, he was working on a brain-on-a-chip project, which combined electrical engineering and biomedical research. The project involved placing neurons and making connections to examine their responses to medication.At the time, Simons said that he wanted to pursue a PhD and also study medicine. He did not complete the Eindhoven programme. A disagreement developed between his family and the university over the timetable for completing the course, and he left the programme in 2019. Simons moved to the University of Antwerp, where he changed his academic focus to physics.
He completed a physics bachelor’s degree at 11
He also has an interest in using science and technology to extend human life.
In July 2021, at the age of 11, Simons completed a bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of Antwerp. He then completed his master’s degree in quantum physics at the University of Antwerp at age 12. Simons completed the master’s in about a year, passing his exams in his first semester before completing his thesis and internship in Germany. At the time, Simons said that he eventually wanted to work as a scientist and develop artificial organs. That ambition was connected to his interest in medicine and the human body. The next step was further research in physics. His research interests have repeatedly crossed traditional academic boundaries. In 2019, when he was nine, Simons was already interested in combining engineering and medicine through brain-on-a-chip research.He also gained research experience in Germany. As per the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, after his bachelor’s degree, Simons joined the attoworld team at LMU Munich and the institute for an internship.
He defended his PhD at 15
His first doctorate took him deep into theoretical quantum physics. According to the University of Antwerp’s official website, his research dealt with Bose-Einstein condensates, ultracold bosonic gases and polarons. On November 17, 2025, Simons defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Antwerp. His achievement attracted international attention because of his age, but his academic record by then included university degrees, research experience and published work.
His next question is much closer to human biology
Simons is working on a medical doctorate at the Helmholtz Centre in Munich, Germany.
After quantum physics, Simons turned his attention to medicine and artificial intelligence. Recent reports say he began work on a second doctoral project in medical science, involving AI and biomedical research. As reported by Norwegian newspaper VG, he is working on a medical doctorate at the Helmholtz Centre in Munich, Germany. He also has an interest in using science and technology to extend human life. As per a 2026 report from The Brighter Side of News, his grandparents had cardiovascular diseases. He described death as “a huge puzzle with many pieces from many different fields.” He said those fields include biology, medicine, engineering and physics, and added, “My mission is to help put all of those pieces together.”
An expected high IQ
One of the details that attracted attention when Simons was a child was his reported IQ. TAs per the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics website, scientists had assessed him as having an IQ of at least 145. The institute also noted that an IQ above 130 is generally considered to fall within the highly gifted range. Simons’ life is not entirely centred on laboratories and university classrooms. Norwegian academic newspaper Khrono reported that Simons enjoys spending time with friends, playing Fortnite and Clash Royale, going go-karting, watching action films with his family and going to restaurants.
