Profile – Physics Zone

Education:

1990 – 1997: St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
2002 – 2006: Queen’s University Belfast, undergraduate degree
2006 – 2010: Queen’s University Belfast, postgraduate degree
Qualifications:

1995: 9 GSCES including Maths, Additional Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology
1997: 4 A-levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and 1 AS level in Further Maths
2006: Honours degree in Applied Maths and Physics
2010: PhD in Astrophysics
Work History:

1997 – 2002: I worked in a variety of jobs, including receptionist, shop assistant, web design, personal assistant, administrative assistant
2009 – 2012: Post-doctoral researcher, Queen’s University Belfast
2012 – 2016: Research fellow, Leiden Observatory
2016 – now :Lecturer, University of Leeds
Current Job:

Lecturer in Physics and Astrophysics, University of Leeds

About Me:

I am an astrochemist: I study chemistry in space, and the potential beginnings of life beyond Earth and even beyond the Solar System. I use big telescopes to look at tiny molecules floating in the vastness of space and computer models to analyse the data and make models for experiments. I regularly do public engagement activities and love answering questions on astrophysics and astrochemistry.
My Typical Day:

I first log on to my computer and read e-mail and reply to anything urgent. Then I look at new science that has been published the previous day and read any papers that are particularly interesting. After that I might do some computer coding, or mark some student work, or look at some telescope data. The latter is very exciting if you have new data! If I have a finished project, I might do some writing for a paper. I usually finish work at 5pm and then I do some exercise (I like to run or go to the gym), and in the evening I like to watch TV or read a book. At the moment I am learning French using Duolingo!

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Catherine Walsh