Laurent Simons, a 15-year-old with an IQ of 145, recently earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Antwerp in late November. His thesis, "Polaron Bose in superfluid and supersolid," received outstanding marks, marking a new milestone in his rapid academic journey.

Laurent Simons received his Ph.D. in Physics in late November 2025 in Belgium. Photo: Alexander Simons

Unlike his peers who enjoy games or football, Laurent is driven by the goal of helping humans achieve immortality. The young doctor aims to replace failing biological parts with mechanical components.

"I want to create 'superhumans'," Laurent stated, emphasizing this as the first piece of his life's major goal. He plans to focus his research on the intersection of quantum physics, medicine, and artificial intelligence to realize this ambition.

Laurent's talent was evident from a young age. His grandparents were the first to discover his special qualities, initially met with skepticism by his parents, but later confirmed by his teachers.

He completed primary school at six years old and graduated from secondary school two years later. In 2021, Laurent became the first person in Belgium to earn a bachelor's degree in Physics at 11 and received a master's degree one year later.

Sjoerd Hulshof, director of education at Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), described his former student as a "sponge" for his ability to absorb knowledge instantly. Despite frequent comparisons to Albert Einstein, Laurent is not enthusiastic. He idolizes Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American electrical engineer, and asserts his uniqueness.

Laurent Simons with his parents at their home in Belgium in 2021. Photo: Justin Stares

The Simons family admits to having no special educational secrets. His excellence stems from innate talent and an environment that allowed him to advance quickly. However, his mother Lydia (35) and father Alexander (42) always strive to maintain balance to ensure their son does not lose his childhood. In 2019, they withdrew Laurent from a university when they felt the pressure was too great.

"We don't want him to be too serious," Alexander said.

Outside the lab, Laurent is a typical 15-year-old. He enjoys watching Marvel movies, playing with his dog Sammy, and never discusses science with friends. "I feel happier than other kids because I don't have to sit in school from 8 AM to 5 PM," he joked.

After receiving his Ph.D., Laurent and his family moved to Munich, Germany. He plans to pursue another Ph.D. in medical science, focusing on artificial intelligence.

Minh Phuong (According to CNN, Brussels Times, The Times)