Jock McOrist's journey into the world of science began in humble surroundings - a public high school in Coffs Harbour, a coastal town in regional Australia. “It wasn’t known for its academic prowess at all, but we could see the ocean from the math classroom.” He recalls. At around 15 years old, Jock discovered his passion for science through his father’s collection of popular science books on the Big Bang and Einstein’s theories. “It blew my mind that there could be things we couldn’t see, but that were fundamental to understanding the universe.”

Jock’s passion for mathematics and physics flourished during his university years, where intellectual curiosity was celebrated. Immersing himself in fundamental particle physics and mathematics, he later earned a Fulbright scholarship in 2004 to pursue his PhD at the University of Chicago, in the US. There, he was surrounded by some of the world’s leading minds, including Nobel Prize winner Yoichiro Nambu, who was a key member of the high-energy particle theory group where Jock worked.

After completing his studies, Jock’s academic journey took him across the globe—from the US to the University of Cambridge and the University of Surrey in the UK, before returning to the University of New England, Australia. During his tenure as a research fellow at Cambridge, he regularly attended Stephen Hawking’s Friday seminars, which served a source of inspiration and left a lasting impression. “My office was right next to the late Stephen Hawking’s office - an epic experience,” he recalls. “I still remember the first time he passed us. It was kind of like seeing a movie star – amazing!”

These formative experiences not only exposed him to cutting-edge research, but also taught him how to learn quickly, think differently, and, most importantly, aim high.

The Value of International Collaborations
As life progressed, Jock settled with a family in regional Australia where he often found it difficult to maintain international collaborations and access the kind of face-to-face interactions that he values so much. “In-person collaboration is irreplaceable,” he explains. “You can brainstorm online, but there's something about standing in front of a blackboard, staring at equations with someone, that brings a different level of understanding.”

Jock was one of the key organisers of the research program “The Geometry of Moduli Spaces in String Theory” held in September at MATRIX this year. Jock describes his time at MATRIX to family and friends as a “maths boot camp,” where intense, focused interaction with like-minded researchers recharged his enthusiasm. “Being scientist, you have to keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone - talking to people with different backgrounds, ideas, and ways of solving problems. MATRIX has been crucial for giving me that opportunity.”

Jock deeply values international collaborations which make the often-lonely pursuit of academic research feel a little less isolating. He speaks with deep respect and gratitude for Prof. Xenia de la Ossa and Prof. Philip Candelas (University of Oxford), two collaborators who co-organised the research program. Their partnership began in Cambridge when they were working at Oxford, and their shared passion for solving complex problems in moduli spaces has spanned over 15 years. Jock says, “Xenia and Philip have not only guided my research, but they’ve also shown me how to think about problems and how to break down big challenges into smaller, manageable steps. This mentorship and collaboration are invaluable!”

During the MATRIX program, Jock particularly enjoyed the opportunity to combine different perspectives, tackling complex problems in moduli spaces, where mathematics and physics intersect. MATRIX provided a space not only for rigorous academic work but also for shared personal moments - like watching a Spanish colleague’s son see his first kangaroo in nature or teaching international visitors the basics of Australian rules football. Having already participated in several MATRIX workshops, Jock looks forward to continuing his involvement in future programs.

Flying and Research
As a child, Jock’s initial dream was to become a pilot before he became a scientist. When asked about the connection between his experience as a pilot and his work as a scientist, he explains that both fields require a methodical, procedural approach that aligns with his mathematical mindset, where rules and logical steps guide problem-solving.

“The type of flying I do is primarily instrument flying.” Jock explains. “In instrument flying, you don’t rely on looking outside the window, you follow what the instruments tell you. It’s very procedural - there’s a set of rules to follow in order." Jock sees striking parallels between flying and research: both demand a calm, focused demeanor, particularly when facing challenges. “In research, we have a problem to solve, and we start at the beginning and work through to the end—just like following a checklist in flying,” he says. “It’s about moving from A to B in a systematic way, without panicking or getting flustered.”

When offering advice for young researchers, Jock emphasises the importance of resilience. “You build resilience by tackling hard problems,” he states. Persistence in solving challenges, he notes, fosters both skill and confidence over time. “Whether it’s flying or research, you’ve got to enjoy the ‘journey’,” he adds. “It’s incredibly satisfying when you finally understand something that no one else has before.”

“When people were working on quantum mechanics in the 1920s, they weren’t thinking about how to build computers or iPhones,” he points out. “But the work they did laid the foundation for everything we have today in terms of modern electronics. Sometimes, the most valuable discoveries don’t pay off for decades, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth pursuing.” Jock will continue to pursue his discovery work in mathematical physics and is convinced that it contributes to the collective human understanding of the universe, and for him, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.