Profile
Laura Wheatley
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I am a PhD student who lives in Oxford. I study Materials Science (a kind of mix between Engineering, Physics and Chemistry) and really enjoy exercise. I am part of an Equality and Diversity panel and I am really keen on improving outreach at Oxford. I am originally from near Birmingham and am a very proud Midlander!
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My pronouns are
she/her
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My Work
I look at wires with resistance free current (superconductors) for Fusion reactors and particle accelerators.
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I am studying for a PhD, which is four more years on top of my original degree, in Materials Science. This is a subject which combines Physics, Engineering and Chemistry to understand how a material behaves so certain materials can be chosen for certain functions. In my work I look at wires which need really high currents so I look at improving these by working on atomic structure of the wires. These wires can then generate high magnetic fields and can be used to contain the Fusion reaction in doughnut shaped Fusion reactors (Tokamaks) and particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.
I really love my subject but at school I didn’t know Materials Science was a subject. I was really lucky to be introduced to the subject on a Physics and Materials day in Year 11. I originally wanted to study Chemistry (but I’m quite glad I didn’t)!
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My Typical Day: I wake up and have breakfast with my housemate and cycle into the my office for about 9am. I am either running some experiments, working on an electron microscope or working at my computer on my results for most of the day. I like to have lunch with friends and I tend to leave work at the end of the day by 6pm. Every day is different and that's why I like doing a PhD!
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I usually spend about 20% of my time making samples which are 10^-9 m in size (nanometres) on electron microscope, then 20% of the time running these samples on a piece of a equipment called an Atom Probe and then the rest of the time is analysis and admin! I am really lucky in the University terms that I can help with undergraduate students in their practical labs as well as helping in outreach events such as this.
If you want to know anymore about the equipment I use or how I make my samples I would be delighted to explain this further 🙂
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What I'd do with the money
Host a panel of STEM experts to discuss how they got into STEM and the challenges they faced
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Ideally I would use the money to book a venue and invite guest speakers to discuss their journeys into STEM and then invite year 11/year 12 students to attend. I would also make sure the event was available on zoom to reach as wide an audience as possible. I would target the event at students from under-represented areas of the country to try and increase their exposure to science.
In terms of speakers I would like some from Universities, Industry and jobs which do not now require their scientific knowledge but value the skills learnt through a scientific degree. I would also like to represent BAME, female and disabled backgrounds to show that science really can be for everyone.
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Education:
Arden School (Knowle), University of Oxford to study Materials Science, University of Oxford for my PhD
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Qualifications:
11 A-A* GCSES including Geography, Spanish and Drama. Alevels in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics and and extended project on Biomedical applications for Materials Science.
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Work History:
I have only worked in my summers. I completed a research project in China, worked at a spin-out company looking at Biomaterials and occasionally help out with a Bearings company.
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Current Job:
PhD student
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Employer:
University of Oxford
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Enthusiastic Fusion Engineer
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
I recently presented at a European Conference for Superconductivity and won a prize for best researcher in Materials, that was really cool!
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
My Chemistry and Physics teachers at school believed in me and I was really lucky that my Dad supported me every step of the way.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Chemistry
What did you want to be after you left school?
I didn't really know, I thought that only really really clever people could do a PhD so I thought I wouldn't do one. I always wanted to stay in the Physical Sciences but I didn't know what that looked like.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was very lucky at school that teachers seemed to praise me when I did well so I went after that feeling instead of misbehaving. If that hadn't happened then I would have definitely been naughtier!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Science leads to major advances in our society so I would be working with scientific start ups to create new technologies for energy solutions.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Difficult one as it depends on my mood - currently I am really excited for the new Adele album.
What's your favourite food?
Sweet: sticky toffee pudding, savoury: fancy salt and vinegar crisps
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Jailbreak where I had 36 hours to get as far away from Oxford as possible with no money. We managed to get a Ferry to France and were picked up by all kinds of people on the way including an unmarked police car!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Health and happiness for my family and friends is a priority. Better equality in this country in the education system. I wish I could speak a language fluently, it would be so cool!
Tell us a joke.
Dad, does the moon provide light and heat to support all life on Earth through the process of Nuclear fusion? No sun.
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