A second-year physics PhD student at Queen's University Belfast, Hannah's research focuses on using high-power lasers to accelerate particles for use in radiotherapy techniques. However, her path to this exciting field wasn't always clear.

"Physics was one of the subjects that I least liked at GCSE," Hannah admits with a laugh. "I only chose it at A-level to be able to say I studied Maths and the three sciences. This turned out to be one of the best choices I have ever made."

It was during her A-levels that Hannah fell in love with physics. This newfound passion led her to pursue a joint programme in maths and physics at Queen's. As she progressed through her studies, she discovered a more specific calling.

"As I progressed through my undergraduate degree undertaking a variety of different modules, I realised that physics with medical applications was very suited towards my interests. I changed from the joint maths and physics programme to physics with medical applications, preparing for and hopeful that I could embark in a career in the medical physics field," she explains.

Hannah completed her undergraduate degree at Queen's, studying an integrated master's programme in physics with medical applications. The transition from her master's to PhD was a natural progression, sparked by encouragement from her lecturers and a PhD project that aligned perfectly with her interests.

One of the most exciting aspects of Hannah's PhD is the opportunity for travel and collaboration. "When I met with my potential supervisor, he explained to me that there would be travel within this PhD programme because it's experiment based," she says. "It suited me perfectly because it's short-term travel, a month or two months away studying in different countries and then being able to come back home again."

In just her first year, Hannah has already been part of three different experiments and attended three conferences. Her research has taken her to Romania for two weeks and England for two months. She's also had the opportunity to present her research at a conference in Abingdon, just south of Oxford, here in Belfast and in Salamanca, Spain.

When asked about the differences between master's level research and PhD research, Hannah highlights the increased independence. "My master's project was about 3 months long and I was touching base with my supervisor almost every single day. I think it's because that research project was so short, everything needed to be done at quite a high pace," she recalls. "When you move on to your PhD the independence is much more noticeable. I check in with my supervisor maybe about once a week, which is considered quite frequent compared with others in my department."

Despite the increased independence, Hannah is quick to reassure prospective PhD students that support is always available. "Your supervisors are always there if you need some extra help, as well as the other PhD students you work with and postdocs," she adds.

One of the projects that she completed just before Easter last year focused on studying the response of biological samples after irradiation from laser-driven electrons. "High power lasers can accelerate particles to ultra-short time scales, in particular we were looking at femtosecond pulses of electrons," she explains, showcasing the cutting-edge nature of her research.

The collaborative nature of her work is evident as Hannah describes her recent experiment: "There were scientists from all over as it's a world-renowned laser facility. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with scientists from all around the world... It was an amazing experience, I made lots of connections which is such a vital part in academia, as well as learning from them and their own experiences."

Looking to the future, Hannah's goals are ambitious and inspiring. "The main goal of radiotherapy is to create the best outcome for the patient. That is to damage and kill the tumour as much as possible while causing the least amount of side effects," she explains. "By continuing down this route and investigating alternatives to conventional radiotherapy techniques, I really hope to be able to create the best outcome for patients and maybe one day possibly create a cure for cancer."

For those considering a PhD, Hannah offers some valuable advice: "If there is a title or a project that you're interested in, definitely reach out to the potential supervisor for that project. That gives you a chance to meet up with them and talk through the project a little bit more."

She also dispels some common misconceptions about PhD studies: "One thing I was worried about before applying for my PhD was the amount of knowledge that I should have prior to applying.  Now I can say that it is something I shouldn't have worried about at all. You're not expected to come into a PhD knowing everything in your chosen subject.  A PhD gives you the opportunity to develop your preexisting knowledge and to become an expert in your research area.”

Hannah's journey from a GCSE student who disliked physics to a PhD researcher working on cutting-edge particle acceleration for medical applications is an inspiring reminder of the unexpected paths our academic journeys can take. Her story showcases the exciting opportunities available in the field of medical physics and the rewarding nature of pursuing a PhD in this dynamic field.

If you want to join our dynamic School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast, it’s your chance! We're seeking exceptional candidates for full-time PhD positions across cutting-edge research areas, from Astrophysics to Mathematical Sciences. Learn more on our website here.

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For enquiries please contact Daria Pudovkina at: d.pudovkina@qub.ac.uk