CDT Student Interviews – Spotlight on Magda Satrazani
In October 2020, LIV.DAT welcomed its 4th cohort of students into the Centre. Since they started their PhD’s, we have asked them a few questions as part of the CDT Spotlight Interview series. This will give you a more personal insight into work, motivation and challenges of our new students. Be sure to have a look at their personal profiles as well.
For this interview we have spoken with Magda Satrazani who will be working on shapes studies in neutron-rich cerium isotopes. Her research is split between the University of Liverpool, TRIUMF (Canada) and CERN.
Why are you interested in Physics?
“The idea and the structure of the nucleus always fascinated me. Isn’t it an amazing fact, indeed, that we all consist of such small particles and we actually ‘hide’ inside of us a little bit of the universe? I find the laws of physics that govern the nuclei to be incredibly interesting and exciting and, because I consider myself as a very practical and curious person, I enjoy running or participating in experiments and study the outcome each time. After all, testing and observing is the best way to learn and explain facts.”
How did you end up in Liverpool?
“I was aware of the quality of the studies and research that the University of Liverpool offers so, after completing my master studies in France, I was seeking a way to continue in a PhD and Liverpool happened to suggest the best and most interesting position for me and, so here I am!”
Which contribution to your field do you consider to be the most significant?
“The discovery of the Stern – Gerlach experiment always fascinated me. Also, the very recent discovery of the last (for now) element 118Og in the Periodic Table of Elements was something amazing.”
What do you hope to contribute to your field?
“I am involved in the research of the field of the Heavy and Super Heavy nuclei. Because it is still quite difficult to approach and produce such heavy nuclei, this field is currently under investigation. I honestly hope that in the future we will be able to approach them more easily and find out what kind of information they ‘hide’ about their structure, behaviour and the way they interact. It will be great if I could contribute in this learning experience!”
Where do you hope to end up after your PhD?
“I feel that it is very soon to think about my life after my PhD, since it is my first year in Liverpool. But, for sure, I would like to continue with a postdoc and I intend on spending some time living and working in the U.S, although I adore Europe.”
Why do you think Big Data is important?
“It is very useful for us at this point, where we sometimes obtain billions of data per second, to be able to know how to manipulate this huge amount of data, as well as how to use this more technical knowledge in order to ‘build’ something new; and why not also make this available to more people than only scientists and researchers.”