Exploring the mysterious role of magnetism in the galaxy
When was the first time you were intrigued by learning about it?
I don’t think it came from a deep, long-standing need to study magnetism, but it attracted me in graduate school because it was an area of astrophysics that was poorly understood and avoided because of its complexity.
As for astrophysics in general, I did a National Science Foundation undergraduate research experience at Arecibo in Puerto Rico the summer before my senior year, and that was amazing. That’s when I realized I wanted to work at the ISM, when I really appreciated the ISM. It was my first experience with full-time research and at this amazing facility—both because the telescopes are amazing and because you live there in these little cabins. The cabin that Jodie Foster was in, in the movie Contactthat’s where my bunk bed is
Was there a moment before that made you realize you wanted to be a scientist?
The truth is, I didn’t always want to be a scientist. When I got to college, I thought, maybe I’ll double major in biology and English. I really liked biology, and I’ve always liked writing, so I thought maybe I’ll be a writer.
I’ve always been very interested in things. Astronomers often say, “Oh, I was really interested in space when I was a kid, and I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.” And I certainly was interested in space when I was a kid, but I also liked rocks and dinosaurs and lizards. Especially salamanders. If anything, it all started with looking for salamanders under rocks with my sisters in our backyard in Virginia. It was just a curiosity about nature and a love of learning, and that’s what you get to do as a scientist.
Original Story Reprinted with permission of Quanta Magazinean independent editorial publication of Simons Foundation Its mission is to enhance public understanding of science by reporting on research trends and developments in mathematics, the physical sciences, and the life sciences.
