Jake Ayres Hello, I am Jake. I completed my undergraduate Masters at the University of Bristol and have now joined the Condensed Matter Physics CDT based in both Bristol and Bath. My Masters project involved the measurement of specific heat to elucidate the structure of the superconducting gap in unconventional superconductors. Whilst superconductivity is a primary interest of mine, I am looking forward to the chance to delve into a broader range of fields as well as experiencing the opportunities in industry made available by the CDT.
Project Title – High-pressure studies of high-temperature superconductors at high magnetic fields
Supervisor – Dr. Sven Friedemann and Prof. Antony Carrington
“It is great to work in Bristol whilst also having the opportunity to be embedded in another research group abroad. It has been brilliant for learning new methods and being exposed to a broader spectrum of physics.”
Nicola Bannister I graduated from the University of Bath with an undergraduate Masters degree in Physics. I am looking forward to exploring more areas of Condensed Matter Physics over the next few years and as yet haven’t decided which part is most interesting! Outside of work I enjoy baking, trampolining and mountaineering.
Project Title – Lattice vibrations of the new β-coronene
Supervisor – Dr. Simon Crampin and Dr. Enrico Da Como
“My favourite part of the CDT-CMP is the cohort structure: in the first year (taught) there are plenty of opportunities to work together and bond as a group. In later years this provides great opportunities to collaborate and also support from other students.”
Dewan Chowdhury As a kid, I enjoyed watching the sci-fi series “Stargate”. It led to my interest in advancing technologies—developing faster, more powerful, more efficient technologies. I started to pursue my interest by studying undergraduate physics at the University of Bath. Now, I’m continuing my pursuit as a PhD student at the CDT-CMP. Fun fact: the CDT-CMP’s new logo was designed by me! Away from studies, I love playing tennis. My tennis ability has been improving at an incredible pace and this I personally owe to the researcher in me: curious, attentive to detail, and keen to always keep finding ways to improve.
Project Title – Anisotropic transport in 2D material heterostructures and devices
Supervisor – Dr. Adelina Ilie
“Working on my PhD project within the CDT-CMP feels better supported compared to typical PhD programmes.”
Aitor Garcia-Ruiz Two dimensional systems, superconductivity, plasmonics … all through my degree in Spain, I have witnessed the increasing importance of Condensed Matter Physics in our lives, and the discovery of a plethora of promising applications to construct a better future. Throughout my time in the CDT I expect to get skills, experience, friends, and hopefully, the possibility to broaden the frontiers of human knowledge.
Project Title – Electronic contributions to the Raman spectra of graphene with proximity-induced superconductivity
Supervisor – Dr. Marcin Mucha-Kruczynski
Emma Gilroy I studied for my undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow and I graduated with an MSci in Physics. My main area of interest during my undergraduate was Magnetism and creating models for chiral magnetic structures. I joined the CDT-CMP in order to broaden my horizons before I pick what I want to specialise in. In my spare time I love reading, climbing and pole fitness.
Project Title – Uranium-based spintronics
Supervisor – Dr. Chris Bell and Dr. Ross Springell
“I am very happy to be part of the CMP-CDT. I’ve learned so much and found a research project I really enjoy working on. I always try and recommend it to students looking at PhDs”
Torsten Jensen I’m a former undergraduate at the University of Liverpool, where I studied for four years. My final year project was on solar cells, and a specific property inherent in certain types of solar cell that can lead to reductions in their efficiency. I’m interested in studying the electronic properties of materials and how they could be influenced. Outside of physics I’m a big fan of music, and love both listening and playing.
Project Title – Synthesis of the first electrically excited organic lasers
Supervisor – Dr. Simon Hall
“The CMP-CDT was very helpful in finding a PhD project that suited my interests and skills. In the first year of the CDT a broad range of different research areas and scientific techniques are covered, which allowed me to make a well-informed decision on the project.”
Daniel Lagos I studied physics at the National Polytechnic School in Ecuador. I had the opportunity to work in security agencies, government dependencies and scientific institutions and those job experiences have given to me not only knowledge, but also matureness and new friends. I am fascinated with Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) because most of the technological gadgets that we use daily are product of researches in this field. I hope to make significant contributions to CMP during my stay in the CDT-CMP program. My hobbies are table tennis and music.
Project Title – Probing electronic structure with synchrotron light
Supervisor – Prof. Stephen Dugdale
Elisha Mercado Before joining the CDT-CMP I completed my undergraduate studies in Physics at Imperial College London where I spent my final year working on the fabrication and characterisation of organic semiconductor thin films and devices. My current research interests include novel materials and devices, optoelectronics and light-matter interactions. In my spare time I play the French horn and the flute, and I enjoy swimming and ice skating.
Project Title – Thermal, electrical and optical transport in 2D-heterojunctions
Supervisor – Prof. Martin Kuball & Dr. Julian Anaya
Lauren Cane I graduated from Oxford and was excited to start my PhD at the CDT-CMP in Bristol and Bath. During my Masters I investigated the control of electron spin ensembles using a rotatable magnetic field, with potential applications in Quantum Computation. I enjoy visiting new places and meeting new people, and love to be outdoors both in mountains and on lakes!
Project Title – Spin and charge correlations in oxide metals
Supervisor – Prof. Stephen Hayden
“The CDT continues to give me opportunities to get involved in activities outside of my PhD work: from outreach activities in local schools to inter-CDT socials, there’s always something to keep my days varied.”
“I’ve loved being part of a cohort. Now that I’m in my third year of the CDT and stuck into my PhD project, it’s nice to know people in other research groups at the same stage as me. We’re all developing different expertise and continue to learn from each other.”
“The Physics Techniques modules that I completed in my first year of the CDT have given me better insight into the work of other groups when reading academic papers. I may not use the technique directly in my own PhD work, but I have experienced it and can therefore visualise what they have done.”
Hannah Robarts I graduated from the University of Bath and was excited to start a PhD with the Bristol-Bath Condensed Matter Physics CDT. During my undergraduate degree, I spent a year working at the ISIS neutron source which sparked my interest in experimental work. In my free time I enjoy writing, hiking and playing tennis.
Project Title – Probing magnetic excitations with synchrotron light
Supervisor – Prof. Stephen Dugdale and Prof. Stephen Hayden
“Being part of the CDT cohort environment has been a huge benefit for me, I enjoy being able to share experiences with other students across similar fields.”
Charles Sayers I graduated from Cardiff University with my dissertation focussing on the optical properties of nanoparticles. As part of the CDT-CMP, I’m hoping to learn about other aspects of Condensed Matter Physics including photonics, metamaterials and superconductivity. I’m primarily an experimentalist with an interest for both fundamental Physics and application. My free time is taken up drinking coffee and riding my bike as much as possible.
Project Title – Optical probes of charge density waves in 2D materials
Supervisor – Dr. Enrico Da Como
“The CDT-CMP offers many opportunities to attend national and international conferences. In 2017, I was able to travel to New Orleans, USA to present my research at the APS March Meeting.”
Richard Waite I graduated from Durham University and have just started as a PhD student in the CDT-CMP based in the Universities of Bristol and Bath. My final year project involved the measurement of the magnetic moment of manganese in MnO2 monolayers using polarised x-ray absorption spectroscopy (circular and linear magnetic dichroism). As well as studying, I plan to spend as much time as possible walking and swimming along the South West coast of England.
Project Title – ISIS Project
Supervisor – Prof. Stephen Hayden