We are back for Week 3 of #WNBiPonWednesdays ! This week we spoke to Charlotte, a 3rd year undergraduate who is currently running the IPRL research branch in Space Society. Thank you for talking with us Charlotte! ⭐️
What is your favourite area in Physics?
I say something different every time someone asks, but I think maybe something fundamental, I really enjoy seeing beyond standard model physics. The data analysis and seeing it in experiments, there are so many phenomena beyond what the standard model predicts, for example charged particle asymmetry and its really cool to see it in experiments and try to fill in the gaps, I think that’s really interesting.
What was your path into Physics?
When I was about 14 in China, I would read the Three Body Problem beneath my table in Mandarin, and I thought that it was all so cool. Then later, because I was doing well in secondary school, I was thinking that I should pick something hard, something challenging. I was deciding between maths, engineering and physics, but then it eventually still led me back to physics because it kind of fuels your curiosity, always thinking ‘why’- and then whenever you ask why there’s always a physics explanation. And it sounds cool to tell people that I study Physics- didn’t know what I set myself up for.
Do you know what you want to do in the future?
I’m not sure, I’m always changing my mind, but I think third year is the time when you should be sure. I have been looking into doing a PhD because I feel like I would really enjoy it. But I’ve been talking to my personal tutor, and he said are you sure you’re ready for it? You’re going to be lying on the ground thinking that you want to quit. But at the same time that’s what people told me before I did this degree at Imperial so if I can make it through this then maybe it’s a challenge worth taking on. I could also go into corporate; I think it’s a balance between what you would enjoy and what makes money.
Talk to us about your involvement in IPRL.
I joined Imperial Planetary Robotics Lab in my second year, that was when the research branch was first formed, last year we did a very holistic review on lunar water extraction application. It was very interesting to learn something that’s outside of your regular curriculum, also you meet more people and get to socialise with people who are interested in the same thing. Because it was the research branch’s first year, things were kind of falling apart and so the person who ran it at the time asked me to take the lead (a week before term started). So I whipped out three research projects and then had to make a presentation in front of 200 people at Space Society and now I have three nice teams. Recently I submitted abstracts to UK SEDS, which is a space exploration conference. Overall, I feel it is a reassuring and safe research space and you get to learn so many cool things.
Do you have any advice for younger students?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, I’ve made a lot of mistakes- because in the grand scheme of things, the decisions you make now weigh so little and the mistakes you make help you learn so much, which will make you better in the future. There were so many times in first and second year where I thought my life was going to crumble over this but you’ve just got to live past it.
Do you have any hobbies outside of Physics?
I like to try to reconnect with nature, trying on new sports, making new friends. During breaks I enjoy going on trips and doing some sports, I’ve tried snowboarding, bouldering and I’ve been boating quite a lot. To go on runs and go to the gym, it gives you a certain peace of mind, you enter a flow state, and it relieves stress.